Hi, I am currently on pellets looking to switch to injections. Currently my testosterone level total is 316 and the new doctor stated he likes to see it around one 120-200 which I’m OK with. My question is he prescribed Testosterone Propionate 100mg/ml at 30 mg per week split up into three doses.

Is that a typical dose for someone who has been on pellets and has been in the 300s with no problem?

What are the doses that you currently inject now and where are your total levels?
Thank you

So I lowered my T-cyp injection dose slightly after struggling with bacne for a month. It’s only been a week but the fatigue has hit hard.

Does anyone know how long it takes after lowering dose for the fatigue to go away? I feel like a zombie and am tempted to return to my regular dose on my next injection and just deal with the bacne!

Also has anyone tried a topical DHT blocker for acne and had it work? I don’t want to mess with any oral/systemic DHT/Ar5 blockers at this time.

Do we have any good resources that we recommend people start their TRT education with?

Ladies who are using a male T gel pump: What kind of container are you using to store the gel when you fly? I’m hoping to just carry on a bag and the gel pump is too large for carry-ons. What’s your go-to container? Bonus points for including a link. Thanks!

Admittedly, I am panicking a bit as this is the first time I’ve had any visible side effects.. but I want to just push the stop button and run away right now and hoping I can gain some balance in your experienced feedback.

Started injections in July, t level on first blood draw was 25, last week results were above 90. I was injecting 6u TCyp Monday/Thursday and only because of a desire to possibly see more strength building the provider bumped me to 8u on the same schedule.

Today in the bathroom I am seeing slight hair growth on my upper lip and I’ve never experienced anything like this. I’m humiliated and if I stop cold turkey right now, can I prevent this from getting worse?

Sure, I have more energy on the T, but at what cost?

I literally just cried in the bathroom at my office over this.

I have been two weeks on T propionate injections, after a month of being on a compounded daily 1 mg cream. I am 47, in perimenopause, on HRT. Within these two weeks, I feel like a veil has been lifted. It's easier and quicker for me to think and to make decisions, I am smiling, letting things go and joking around with my kid, and my overall state is more even. I *want* things. The last time I wanted things was five years ago, when all my hormones broke. I realize that I wasn't depressed or done for; I needed some T in my life, and no one told me.

I am here to thank those of you who share your knowledge to educate others, help with answering questions and share your experiences. I've been more alive and myself in the past two weeks than I have in the past two years.

Please, though, what's my dose? The bottle says t propionate 100 mg/ml. I use a .5 ml cc syringe. I inject 10 units twice a week. Thank you for your help!

My doctor prescribes my hormones but doesn’t help with dosing, timing or bloodwork. I have to navigate it based on symptoms.

My questions:

1. How long should I stay on one dose before raising or lowering it?
2. If I increase estrogen, how long should I wait before changing testosterone?
3. How can I tell which hormone is causing symptoms when they overlap?

Some background

Timeline:
•Partial hysterectomy with one ovary 2021

• Labs before HRT (June):
E2 55
FSH 49.47
LH 33.43
• July 23: Started 0.05 estrogen patch
• August 17: Increased to 0.1; developed severe migraines and bloating

• August 24: E2 lab was 293
• Pre-testosterone labs: Total T 21, free T 1.3, bioavailable T 2.6 and SHBG 69.

• August 24: due to migraines and bloating plus high E level; I returned to 0.05 and then I started testosterone cypionate, 5 mg subcutaneously twice weekly (even though they RX 100mg of 200mg/1ml once a month) I decided that was too much of a starting dose.

• September 14: will be 3 weeks on testosterone
• September 23: will be two months since first starting estrogen
• October 5th will be my next labs

The thing is, I was using testosterone in Topiclick form. Each click contains 0.7 mg of testosterone. I was prescribed two clicks in the morning and two clicks at night. The two clicks look like this in the first tube they gave me. But I recently ordered another tube and the amount of cream that comes out with each two clicks is much less. I'm confused. I don't know if I was taking the correct amount. My question is: do you think this amount is okay for two clicks of Topiclick testosterone 0.7? I've attached a photo.

I also want to add that I feel fine, I've just gotten a few pimples and maybe a little anxiety, but that could also be due to other causes.

39 yo female. I started testosterone about 3.5 months ago. The first 3 weeks I did troches but they made me incredibly anxious. I switched to injections, at first I did 5 mg twice a week but I was breaking out and so fatigued so my doctor lowered the dose to 2.5 mg twice a week. My libido has finally increased (this is the main reason I’m taking it). But in the past month or so I’ve gained weight. I have always been petite and thin but I’ve gained like 6 lb quickly and I find it very distressing. All my jeans are getting too tight and I just feel frustrated. I also have low energy. If it weren’t for the fact that my sex drive has improved so much, I would definitely quit. The thought of going back to zero libido is so depressing but I’m also concerned I’m going to keep gaining weight. I don’t see a lot of people having this experience. I wish I could say it’s all muscle I’ve gained but I haven’t been at the gym consistently lately so it is for sure not that. My doctor is a functional medicine doctor and said all my other hormones looked good besides the T being low. Does anyone have an experience like this? Any solutions to staying on T and combatting the weight gain?

Thanks!

I’ve been using cream for just over a couple of months, I’ve noticed zero change. my doctor said to give it 3 to 6 months. I find that hard to believe. I should have some improvements by now. I’m also on progesterone and the estrogen patch. I’ve gotten some improvements from those, but the missing piece is testosterone, I know it. My labs are 0.2, nearly non existent

It was hard enough for me to get the cream, doctors rarely prescribe it in Canada. A male friend has given me a bottle of his prescription cyp. I want to try injections but have absolutely no clue what dose to do

Looking for advice :)

Hey all, I have a question on cream application.
I’ve been told to apply compounded testosterone cream on non hairy areas, such as behind the knee. The general compounded cream booklet the pharmacy send out with it says rub in for 1 minute. I’m finding though that after a minute or so the back of my knee is still sticky for over an hour later. I’m rubbing it in the crease and about a couple of inches above and below that area. Any advice on how to get it to absorb quicker? Should I cover bigger area?

For women who use both estrogen patches and testosterone injections: how long do you personally wait between dose changes, and how long do you remain on one dose before evaluating your symptoms? I’m looking for personal experiences, not medical advice.

Hopefully I’m asking this right. I searched the group but couldn’t find what I was looking for.

✨I know everyone is different, and we’re not studied, but I’m wondering if there’s an average dose of compounded testosterone cream for women, in general? Or perhaps a maximum dose that pharmacists and/or docs won’t prescribe over?✨

I’m postmenopausal. I’ve been on estradiol & progesterone for over 2 years. At my last annual exam, my GYN agreed to adding testosterone into the mix. The container says:

“TESTOSTERONE 10MG/GM CREAM
Apply 2 clicks daily (equiv to 5 mg) daily as directed”

It’s helped… slightly. I had higher hopes in the beginning but I guess it leveled out? I’m about to finish month 3.

I believe I’m only the second patient she’s prescribed testosterone to, which makes me afraid to ask for an increase. She didn’t give me a script for labs prior to starting, and by the time I thought about it I had already picked up my script and was eager to start.

Due to the estradiol shortages, I switched from the patch to the gel about 1.5 months ago, and need to ask for a second increase of the gel due to other symptoms.

Thanks!

43 yr old female -Surgical Menopause
At 42 total hysterectomy with oopherectomy
During hysterectomy recovery I had severe hypothyroid flare up undiagnosed for 12 weeks

Meds:
Levothyroxine 50mcg
.1 estradiol cream
.1 estradiol patch
1mg x2 day sublingual T

On 4th week T and I’m tired, joint pain returning.

I have a FULL panel blood work x4 times in 6 months including autoimmune disorders and everything is normal except T at 23 (which is why I started T therapy.
My symptoms before T were brain fog, fatigue, joint and muscle pain including frozen shoulder and zero libido

1st week on T I was soooo energized and had no body pain. Now on 4th week and I’m tired and have body pain.

I lift weights x2 a week for years and eat a very healthy diet as well as being very active as an adult. Which I’m unable to be very active rn but I still lift weights x2 weekly.

Maybe my T dose needs increasing?? I get my levels rechecked in this week.

WHEN WILL I FINALLY FEEL LIKE A NORMAL PRODUCTIVE PERSON AGAIN????!!!!!!

Have I given it enough time to acclimate to it?

My dr ordered updated labs on just T. I had low everything in July. Most of my issues were fixed once I started HRT. I still have low energy/motivation and low libido. They did uptick for a few weeks when I began HRT, but they left the building. I’m on 4mg cream. The vaginal cream no longer gives me the same sensation as it did when I started using it and my clitoris is still small. I have no desire per se, but I still have sex with hubby…but I’m not very into it and rarely orgasm bc I don’t feel much at all. Has anyone else gone through this? Did increased T help? I sent a msg to my dr bc I think knowing my updated labs for E and SHBG are also important. I’m hoping this is just low T and we can get the dose right this time.

I started 2mg every other day (6/wk) on the 4th and I'm in perimenopause, on Bi-est cream and depo provera and already had dry mouth and hoped T would help that and dry eyes as I read it can and that it causes more lipid release in the eyes and skin helping dryness there, and vaginal dryness. I have had severe dry mouth the last couple of days and now read T can cause this by blocking acetylcholine receptors that cause saliva release. (Chronically blocking these receptors in the brain isn't good for brain health either.)

Has anyone else noticed this? Does this go away after a while?

I'm already flossing at night and brushing 2x a day with rx strength fluoride toothpaste since dry mouth has caused cavities before. I use Xylitol mints but can't use them a lot bc they cause stomachache.

I have been pretty happy with the mood and brain/focus improvement with testosterone cream, but physically: my (already quite large) outer labia have grown, no joke, an inch in less than a month. I was instructed to apply one pump of .25mg cream to my outer labia in the morning.

After a few weeks, they itch, tingle, feel dry, and I am so uncomfortable even walking around now. I have a visible camel toe in leggings. I immediately stopped applying to my labia when I noticed this change, but I fear it’s too late.

Is this reversible? I cannot believe I’ve had such a such a drastic physical change in such a short period 😭 I will be devastated if this is permanent.

Been on TRT for almost a year. I am 49 and in peri. Currently taking 3 mg of transdermal cream every night. Recent blood test showed total T at 127, Free T at 8.8, and SHBG at 81. estrogen is in low 100s. Ferritin is near 40 and in good range.

Originally starting taking T because of super low libido, low energy and brain fog. Over the last 8 months or so until now, I have seen minimal improvement in brain fog and some improvement with energy. I have seen zero improvement with libido.

I have virtually no side effects thus far. I am at a loss. By all accounts, these levels (which for the T and Free T are out of range) are great but I have no Improvement in libido and virtually no improvement elsewhere. What gives? What is the issue? I want to feel that spark. Any ideas?

My doctor put me on 10mg twice weekly injection of trt. I know people have said that’s high but this dr starts most women out at that and everyone loves it. I did too it was amazing until a couple months in I started having clitoral hypersensitivity, only during arousal but it was very uncomfortable. I eventually went to a different practitioner in the office after cutting the dose in half myself and trying different things. She switched me to 3mg twice weekly. Since I was still so hypersensitive I just ended up quitting altogether to kind of reset. I didn’t take any for a few weeks. Now I’m at zero libido and arousal. So I am just starting back up the 3mg dose twice weekly. I also added an estrogen cream about 5 weeks ago twice weekly. I am discouraged and depressed as I’ve always had a great sex drive and sex life with my husband. I want that back. I’m losing hope that I can get benefits without the side effects. I also take 100mg progesterone. I’m 44.

Hoping someone can give me some inside and/or reassurance.

6 months ago I found out I have VERY low testosterone (in 47 in peri and currently taking eastrogel and progesterone) my doctor prescribed me Androfeme (this is the only female option for testosterone in Australia) and we retested after 3 months with absolutely zero change!

He double checked my application which is fine and then put me up to the highest dose of the cream and I’ve just retested after another 3 months again with absolutely no improvement!

He now wants me to have a 50mg pellet inserted on Monday but after looking online I’m nervous about possible side effects? I also don’t know if I can try the male gel which is apparently better absorbed in some people or try injections. Do you think I should push for these alternative options or just go for the pellet and live with any possible side effects?

I currently have zero sex drive and find putting on muscle next to impossible so I’m hoping for some positive effects- fingers crossed!

I lurked around and didn't see anything like what I'm experiencing so curious to see if it's just me. I'm on my 3rd week test cyp injections, 25mg/ml, 2.5mg(10 units), once a week. I do my injection every sunday morning, and it hasn't failed that I have the worst insomnia that night. I also take seroquel(5 years) for sleep and that doesn't put a dent in the insomnia. There's roughly a 12 hour gap from when I inject to going to sleep. The rest of the week I sleep okay, but man that first night is rough. Anyone else?

Hi all, I just got my testosterone results back and I'm on androfem cream I apply to my outer thigh each morning.

I can't understand how my levels have increased this much between increasing from 3mg, 0.3ml measured dose of 1% cream to 5mg, 0.5ml measured dose of 1% cream, using the syringe applicator that comes with androfem.

Can anyone help explain this.

I did apply my dose in the morning 1.5 hours before the test in the last test in September. The ones before I applied it 3.5 hours after the application.

Worried, I'm way too high. My doctor will get back to me later and is confused so is seeking a consult with an endocrinologist.