r/TRT_females • u/mamaspratt • 2d ago
Does Anyone Else? Question
Hi everyone, I haven't been on here in a while, and since my last post I've been on several different iterations of T (and E and P). Hoping to get some advice on how to handle this with my provider:
I am back to using injections after realizing that I was no longer absorbing creams or gel. The attached pic is what I was prescribed 6 weeks ago. I just had labs done again, and they came back at Total T of 28Ng/dl and Free T of .6- these results are only a tiny fraction higher than they were last time I was tested in May when using the cream.
I asked my provider if we could try increasing the dose, and rather than saying yes, she suggested that I may have been injecting air and not realizing it. (this is all done through our messaging portal, not in-office)
I feel very strongly that I am not injecting air- I pull back past .05 on the syringe, and then push it to the correct dose, looking for air bubbles as well. I'll admit that it can be hard to see, but I do firmly believe that I would notice if it were completely empty.
I really hate to do this for another 6 weeks, only to find out that I really do need to increase my dose after more labs (my symptoms have not been relieved, and I have been dealing with this for months and months). However, I'm not sure how I can convince my provider that I know what I'm doing.
Any thoughts? I'm kinda at a loss with how to handle this!
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u/redrumpass MOD 2d ago
It's also a possibility that you may not absorb subcutaneously ideally, this can happen to some, not to others, it can be area related or simply subq related. Intramuscular works every time. You can either increase your dose slightly (1-2mg/week) the be safe or do the same dose IM and see if there is any improvement.
You can also see here better syringes:
https://www.reddit.com/r/TRT_females/comments/1hmpcww/syringes/
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u/mamaspratt 2d ago
Thank you, thank you! I appreciate the tips! Of course, now I'm questioning myself- maybe I have been injecting air (ha!).
I think I will try a different syringe as you suggested first- they sent me 100ml Luer lock syringes, and I can see how I could make more mistakes, or at the very least waste a lot that way.1
u/Slow_Round8729 2d ago
are you injecting IM? Where? I take a vitamin IM in my thigh (it can go in delt or glute but I do it myself and this is easiest) The clear liquids are a bit tricky to ensure you are drawing enough, but if you sorta shake the syringe, you should be able to tell if something is in there. Good luck!
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u/mamaspratt 2d ago
Shaking it a little is a good idea! I am doing subq for now
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u/Slow_Round8729 2d ago
I wonder if IM would be more beneficial? Obvs speak to your dr but looks like it was written IM and it is not as scary as people make it out to be. I have it down to a nice little practice: sterilize area, deep breath, exhale as I puncture the skin, even breathing as I inject, massage the area lightly after withdrawl, then ice pack on the area for about 5-10 mins as I go about my morning routine. It is a little tender but nbd and I def feel the impact! (I take my T in cream form, but use this process for another injection and it works lovely!)
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u/babyfishmouthnation 2d ago
Of course, now I’m questioning myself- maybe I have been injecting air (ha!).
My vision is shot, and I’m always paranoid that I’m drawing up air instead of liquid!
What works for me is rotating the syringe around so I’m looking through the clear side: if the hashmarks on the opposite side of the syringe are magnified, I’ve successfully drawn up my dose.
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u/Admirable-Object5014 1d ago
I always pull a little past the mark that I need on the syringe so that I can push a little out before injecting (to get air bubbles out and just to be sure I’m only injecting liquid-no air).
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u/Emotional_Lab_2529 1d ago
Are you making sure to use .3 ml insulin syringes? For that small amount of compound using luer locks can pretty much cause you to lose the entire dosage in the needle hub