Got Testosterone?

[WillBrink]

I guess we are lucky here in this house. I have an outstanding endocrinologist to treat my Hashimoto's Disease (autoimmune thyroiditis), and my husband has a great LNP who understands his hypogonadism and is willing to work with us in treating him with t-cyp. Home injections, with the added benefit of using weekly injections at half the dose to keep his totals more stable.

Sounds like your docs are on the ball. What gauge needle does he use? You can use much smaller needles than typically used, which is covered in this thread a ways back. Using small needles does take a little extra prep, but well worth it if he's using typical 1-1/2" 21g harpoons that will create scar tissue over time, etc. Easiest is 1" 25g but you can even use 1/2" 29-30g insulin needles.

[Vic303]

I'd have to go look for sure but I think it's the 21ga 1.5". We move injection sites regularly. With the smaller insulin needles, we'd run out of them, since he is an insulin dependent diabetic. We do warm the T-cyp prior to injection. He says it helps.

[WillBrink]

I'd have to go look for sure but I think it's the 21ga 1.5". We move injection sites regularly. With the smaller insulin needles, we'd run out of them, since he is an insulin dependent diabetic. We do warm the T-cyp prior to injection. He says it helps.

If he's OK with the 1.5 21g, all good. Needles that size get old fast week after week, year after year and can hurt like SOB if hit the wrong spot, etc. Just letting you know, much smaller needles can be used, such as the 1" 25g right down to 1/2" 30g as mentioned. Many docs are not aware of the use of insulin needles to deliver TRT and default to the harpoons as SOC.

[Flankenstein]

I'd have to go look for sure but I think it's the 21ga 1.5". We move injection sites regularly. With the smaller insulin needles, we'd run out of them, since he is an insulin dependent diabetic. We do warm the T-cyp prior to injection. He says it helps.

OUCH..no thanks for me!

[dave5339]

If he's OK with the 1.5 21g, all good. Needles that size get old fast week after week, year after year and can hurt like SOB if hit the wrong spot, etc. Just letting you know, much smaller needles can be used, such as the 1" 25g right down to 1/2" 30g as mentioned. Many docs are not aware of the use of insulin needles to deliver TRT and default to the harpoons as SOC.

As the recipient of said "harpoon" you are spot on, some sticks just hurt like anything. What gets weird however is when the bolus of T gets injected near a nerve bundle, can cause everything from the toes to the hip to ache. Appreciate the advice on the smaller needles, will have to go to those once the conex box of harpoons we were given with the first scrip runs out.

Semper Fi

[WillBrink]

As the recipient of said "harpoon" you are spot on, some sticks just hurt like anything. What gets weird however is when the bolus of T gets injected near a nerve bundle, can cause everything from the toes to the hip to ache. Appreciate the advice on the smaller needles, will have to go to those once the conex box of harpoons we were given with the first scrip runs out.

Semper Fi

Start with 1" 25G which will help, and if you read through this thread (giving you something to while waiting for script to run out...) you'll see extensive discussion on the use of 29-30g insulin needles. Personally, I'd buy a box cash out of pocket for the smaller needles than continue the harpoon route:

[Vic303]

Oooh! I have one of those! That'll be perfect!


(just kidding!)

[Irish]

Just had the doc do total and free test blood work, mine came in at 524 (range 241 - 827), total test was 553 a year ago. Still waiting on the free numbers.

[Irish]

Just had the doc do total and free test blood work, mine came in at 524 (range 241 - 827), total test was 553 a year ago. Still waiting on the free numbers.

Free T came in at 76.2 or 7.62 for the conversion.

[WillBrink]

Free T came in at 76.2 or 7.62 for the conversion.

What's the range used for the lab for FT?*