What's your opinion on Injecting test SQ vs IM?

jason370

jason370

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A year ago I read that Im was the better delivery method, now im seeing they are equivalent. Anyone have an informed opinion on where and how is the best testosterone injection method/area?
 
jason370 said:


A year ago I read that Im was the better delivery method, now im seeing they are equivalent. Anyone have an informed opinion on where and how is the best testosterone injection method/area?

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I can only tell you that if it's oil based I'd recommend doing IM injection.
 
For oils I prefer IM. I pin ventral glute for my trt. For glutathione injections also pin IM, ventral glute. Tirzepatide goes sub q. Not really a drastic difference in how each one feels.

When I first started trt I pinned sub q and always got lumps that would take a day or two to go away.
 
Some guys attempting IM are really doing deep subq, which is another option:

Gemini said:


Testosterone Administration Comparison

FeatureShallow SubQDeep SubQIntramuscular (IM)Needle Length8mm – 12.7mm (5/16" – 1/2")16mm (5/8")25mm – 38mm (1" – 1.5")Modern Gauge29G – 31G26G – 28G25G – 27GAbsorption RateSlowest (Steady State)Moderate-SlowFastest (Higher Peaks)HCT (Hematocrit)Lower Risk of SpikesStable / ManagedHigher Risk (Peak-driven)Lipid ImpactMost FavorableNeutral / FavorableVariable (Peak-driven)CV StressMinimal (Lower E2/HCT)Low StressModerate (if peaks are high)ISRs (Reactions)High: Lumps/ItchingLow: Better dispersionRare: Muscle acheInjection SitesAbdomen, Love handlesVentroglute, ThighGlute, Deltoid, QuadVolume Limit~0.5 mL~0.75 mLUp to 3.0 mL

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For example:

I started TRT+ with daily test prop injections. IM/shallow IM (depending on the injection site) with a 29/30g 1/2" insulin syringe. I had pip the first 1-2 weeks. After that, none to speak of. Whether a 1/2" insulin syringe is IM or SQ will depend on the injection location and an individual's body composition. Also with the narrow gauge needles, you will need to warm up the oil first. That may also then help reduce pip.

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Personally, I've had to use IM more than anything since even deep subq doesn't cut it enough sometimes with the ISRs. But I didn't try EOD/frequent dosing, which would decrease the amount injected (and provide more stable levels).
 
I’ve been doing SQ 3x weekly for 3 months now, 8 week labs were fantastic except DHT was still low.

Bumped my dose 50% to try to push DHT up 50%… I’ll test that next month. Fairly sure my hemocrit will have me donating.
 
I’ve tried SubQ a few times over the years. Hate it. Always leaves lumps. Probably the carrier oil? Don’t know. But never had any issue with IM.
 
I tried subq for a while but had to switch to IM after a couple weeks. I’m doing daily shots of test c in MCT oil and it was leaving lumps that lasted about two weeks. I had to switch to IM because I was starting to get super lumpy. I don’t mind IM, but am thinking about reducing my frequency because daily IM shots are wicked annoying.
 
Tbagger said:


I tried subq for a while but had to switch to IM after a couple weeks. I’m doing daily shots of test c in MCT oil and it was leaving lumps that lasted about two weeks. I had to switch to IM because I was starting to get super lumpy. I don’t mind IM, but am thinking about reducing my frequency because daily IM shots are wicked annoying.

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why daily, why not weekly or 2x/week?
 
Always done SubQ. Never had an issue. Its supposded to absorb more slowly and give a smoother release. I break it into twice a week but even at once it wasn't an issue. I do ise enanthate so I don't know of that's a factor.
 
I've always done my test enanthate IM, basically into outer middle part of my thigh muscle (Vastus Lateralis). I started 18 months ago after having typical low-test symptoms and getting a low-testosterone diagnosis. I now get regular 6-monthly blood tests which are reviewed by the clinic. My dose is 100mg a week, split into 50mg every 3.5 days (Tuesday AM and Friday PM).

It works for me, my testosterone levels have gone from very low to an optimal range and I don't plan on trying Sub-Q as what I do is working and is practically painless (I use a 1inch 25g needle).

For peptides, I am new to these, but have only ever done Sub-Q into stomach area with an insulin needle. The little tiny insulin needle is a lot less intimidating for sure, but too small to push any oil-based compounds through, I think.
 
jandingus said:


SQ for small volume (10-30 units) IM for anything more. Never done me wrong sticking to that.

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Same. For 25 units twice a week (125mg) i use a slin pin in the delt. (Mostly subq maybe tickling the muscle) was never able to do that with gso but with mct warmed up its no problem.
 
jason370 said:


why daily, why not weekly or 2x/week?

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I started doing it daily when I first started TRT because the more frequently the injections, the more stable your levels will be which reduces side effects such as elevated hematocrit and E2. I wanted to get a baseline on stable levels before playing with the dosage frequency. I think I might try switching to Mon, Wed, Fri and see how it affects my levels.
 
Tbagger said:


I started doing it daily when I first started TRT because the more frequently the injections, the more stable your levels will be which reduces side effects such as elevated hematocrit and E2. I wanted to get a baseline on stable levels before playing with the dosage frequency. I think I might try switching to Mon, Wed, Fri and see how it affects my levels.

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Maybe it is bad memories from decades ago when we would stab ourselves with 22 gauge needles in the glute for shots (not sure why we always used bigger gauge needles back in the day, but it was common then), the thought of giving myself a test shot in the belly area makes me want to pass out (even though I know it can be an insulin needle)….
 
Gt3294a said:


Maybe it is bad memories from decades ago when we would stab ourselves with 22 gauge needles in the glute for shots (not sure why we always used bigger gauge needles back in the day, but it was common then), the thought of giving myself a test shot in the belly area makes me want to pass out (even though I know it can be an insulin needle)….

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I exclusively buy MCT carrier test so I can use 30g for my IM. I'm a pussy and don't want to stab myself with a damn drinking straw lol
 
I think if you are doing 2 shots a week, IM would be the way to go as the volume will probably be around the .5cc range. The more frequent you can tolerate a shot, the smaller the amount per injection. 3x a week or more would be in the SubQ area if you like. I am at 3x a week test c, 200mg/ml, 20 units or 40mg each dose. Done subQ in the stomach with a 30g 1/2" insulin syringe. I am currently using grapeseed oil and it does take a moment to draw it up and a little extra to slowly push it in. Haven't had any lumps. My next prescription is cottonseed oil so we will see how that goes. Probably will throw it in my pocket for about 30 minutes to warm it up a bit, then draw and shoot.
 
I warm my grape seed oil in a little cup of warm water. Makes drawing and pinning a non issue in a 30 gauge.

I get tricking sore thighs occasionally/frequently when I try to IM… I thought it was from 25ga back in the day but Monday I used a 30 gauge stick as deep as it would go and it had me walking funny that evening/sore the next day.
 
Gt3294a said:


Maybe it is bad memories from decades ago when we would stab ourselves with 22 gauge needles in the glute for shots (not sure why we always used bigger gauge needles back in the day, but it was common then), the thought of giving myself a test shot in the belly area makes me want to pass out (even though I know it can be an insulin needle)….

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We used larger gauge needles because of the oil suspension, at smaller gauges it would take much longer to pin. I still pin test e with a 22
 
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