A year back, I came across info saying IM was the superior way to administer. These days, though, I keep seeing claims that both are just as effective. Does anyone here have a well-grounded take on the optimal spot and technique for injecting testosterone?
Testosterone Injection: Subcutaneous vs Intramuscular?
- Thread starter jason370
- Start date
RoadRash
Explorer
For oil-based compounds, my suggestion would be to go with IM administration.
TacoLifter420
Explorer
When it comes to oils, IM is my choice. My TRT shots go into the ventral glute. I also use IM for glutathione, same spot, ventral glute. Tirzepatide, on the other hand, I inject sub q. Honestly, the sensation isn't all that different between the two.
Back when I began TRT, I was doing sub q injections, and I'd consistently end up with lumps that lingered for a day or two before fading.
Back when I began TRT, I was doing sub q injections, and I'd consistently end up with lumps that lingered for a day or two before fading.
Calm Logic
Explorer
A number of people who think they're pinning IM are actually hitting deep subq, and that's a third route worth considering:
To illustrate:
As for me, IM has ended up being my main approach, because even going deep subq occasionally isn't sufficient to avoid the ISRs. That said, I never gave EOD or more frequent shots a shot, which would lower the volume per injection (and keep levels steadier).
To illustrate:
As for me, IM has ended up being my main approach, because even going deep subq occasionally isn't sufficient to avoid the ISRs. That said, I never gave EOD or more frequent shots a shot, which would lower the volume per injection (and keep levels steadier).
woundcarping
Explorer
I’ve been injecting subcutaneously 3 times a week for 3 months. The labs at 8 weeks came back great, though DHT remained on the low side.
So I raised my dose by 50% aiming to get DHT up by 50%… next month I’ll check. I’m pretty confident my hematocrit will mean I need to donate blood.
So I raised my dose by 50% aiming to get DHT up by 50%… next month I’ll check. I’m pretty confident my hematocrit will mean I need to donate blood.
Tbagger
Explorer
I gave subq a shot for a few weeks, but ended up moving to IM. My protocol is daily test c in MCT oil, and subq left lumps that stuck around for roughly two weeks. Once the lumpiness got bad, IM became the only option. IM itself doesn't bother me, but I'm considering cutting back on how often I pin, since daily IM injections get old fast.
Cannonball72
Explorer
With Test C, sub q left me with lumps and soreness.
For me, the best results come from IM shots into the quad (front pants pocket).
For me, the best results come from IM shots into the quad (front pants pocket).
5byfive
Explorer
I've only ever used SubQ and it's been trouble-free. The idea is that it enters the bloodstream gradually, which should keep levels steadier. I split my dose into 2 shots per week, though doing it just 1 time weekly also worked fine for me. Since I'm using enanthate, I'm not sure whether that changes anything.
CycleSloth
Explorer
My testosterone enanthate has always been administered IM, and I aim for the outer middle section of the thigh muscle (Vastus Lateralis). This began 18 months back, following classic low-test signs and an official low-testosterone diagnosis. These days I undergo blood work every 6 months, with the clinic handling the review. I take 100mg weekly, divided as 50mg each 3.5 days (Tuesday morning and Friday evening).
This approach suits me; my testosterone has climbed from quite low to an optimal level, and I have no intention of switching to Sub-Q since the current method delivers results and is virtually without pain (I use a 1inch 25g needle).
As for peptides, I am just starting out, but so far I have only injected Sub-Q around the belly using an insulin needle. That tiny insulin needle is far less scary, no doubt, yet it seems too thin for pushing oil-based compounds through.
This approach suits me; my testosterone has climbed from quite low to an optimal level, and I have no intention of switching to Sub-Q since the current method delivers results and is virtually without pain (I use a 1inch 25g needle).
As for peptides, I am just starting out, but so far I have only injected Sub-Q around the belly using an insulin needle. That tiny insulin needle is far less scary, no doubt, yet it seems too thin for pushing oil-based compounds through.
Airborne Daddy
Explorer
I do the same thing. With 25 units injected 2x per week (which adds up to 125mg), I'll grab a slin pin and go into the delt. It ends up being mostly subq, though it might just barely nick the muscle. Back when I was using gso, this approach never worked for me, but once I switched to mct and warmed it up first, it goes in without any issue.
Tbagger
Explorer
When I began TRT, I went with daily shots right away. My reasoning was that injecting more often keeps your levels steadier, which cuts down on issues like high hematocrit and E2. Before I started adjusting how often I inject, I wanted to see where my levels sat on a consistent schedule. Now I'm considering moving to a Monday, Wednesday, Friday routine to check what that does to my numbers.
Gt3294a
Explorer
I might be carrying over some unpleasant recollections from way back when, during which we'd jab 22 gauge needles into the glute for injections (why we consistently opted for larger gauge needles back then, I can't say, yet that was the norm). Even knowing an insulin needle is an option, the idea of putting a test shot into my belly area still makes me feel like I'm going to faint.
Tbagger
Explorer
I only get test with an MCT carrier, which lets me use a 30g needle for IM injections. I'm a wimp and have no interest in jabbing myself with what amounts to a drinking straw, haha.
KevinS
Explorer
If you're pinning 2 times per week, I'd lean toward IM, since the amount is likely to land near the .5cc mark. The more often you're willing to inject, the less you need each time. At 3x per week or beyond, SubQ becomes a reasonable option if that suits you. Personally, I'm on test c at 3x per week, 200mg/ml, 20 units, which works out to 40mg per dose. I've been doing subQ into the belly using a 30g 1/2" insulin syringe. Right now I'm drawing grapeseed oil, and it takes a bit of time to pull it up, plus a little extra to push it in slowly. No lumps so far. My next script is cottonseed oil, so I'll find out how that behaves. I'll likely stick it in my pocket for around 30 minutes to warm it slightly, then draw and inject.
woundcarping
Explorer
I place my grape seed oil in a small cup with warm water to heat it up. That way, using a 30 gauge for both drawing and injecting is no problem at all.
When I attempt IM, my thighs end up sore quite often—sometimes just occasionally, sometimes frequently. Years ago I assumed it was because of the 25ga needle, but this Monday I tried a 30 gauge and pushed it in as far as possible; by that evening I was walking oddly and the next day it was still sore.
When I attempt IM, my thighs end up sore quite often—sometimes just occasionally, sometimes frequently. Years ago I assumed it was because of the 25ga needle, but this Monday I tried a 30 gauge and pushed it in as far as possible; by that evening I was walking oddly and the next day it was still sore.
RoadRash
Explorer
The oil suspension forced us to use thicker needles; with thinner ones, the injection would drag on far longer. Even now, I inject test e using a 22