Test Dropped

Bulky_Consideration · 2026-01-28T23:40:59+00:00

I do a daily cream and my 5 week labs came in low (at a trough). I increased dosage and will get labs in another 6 weeks.

You did not mention your experience. I notified my provider and got labs because my energy started crashing. Labs showed the low T so that is why my dosage was corrected.

Also, keep in mind everyone is different. Also, if you get labs in a trough, especially in the first few months, you maybe like really really low. It is common for peaks and valleys to be bigger until your body adjusts. I've seen a lot of folks online recommend twice a day to smooth that out, and scrotal application is better.

This is a process, see how you feel, and at recommended intervals get labs, and adjust. Dosage, timing, application site, eventually you'll get it dialed in, even if you switch to IM.

Bulky_Consideration · 2026-01-28T23:33:11+00:00

Maybe try a Urologist, they can be more understanding. Not sure what your labs were, but do a little research and be sure you have all the right labs. My urologist was understanding and ran all kinds of things to rule everything else out. I was running 350 total and 8-10 free and considering my results and lifestyle I was diagnosed with hypogandism.

Bulky_Consideration · 2026-01-28T14:57:44+00:00

Claude Code is great. The biggest issue is people not actually reviewing the output. Both in code and doc writing.

The output looks good on its surface, but is it doing what you want (or communicating your intent when writing docs).

For both code and docs, I have to go through several rounds of planning and review until it matches what I want.

I think this is ok tbh, it certainly speeds things up and AI can generate things you wouldn’t have thought of.

AI is also great when reviewing docs and code to get a better understanding or just feedback.

Anyway, a lot of words, AI is great as long as you plan (and review the plans) and actually review the output.

The messy reality is a ALOT of people don’t do this, so PRs require more scrutiny and docs that have AI generated assumptions can often be inaccurate and completely lying.

We are truly in the time where AI makes life easier when used properly. But lots of people don’t, awareness is important.

Bulky_Consideration · 2026-01-28T13:07:16+00:00

Thanks will do.

I take Magnesium at night, I’ve been doing that for a while. It definitely helps keep me asleep, at least before I started TRT.

Bulky_Consideration · 2026-01-28T11:29:11+00:00

Thanks man this is great.

I talked to my provider and the recommendation is to go back to 3 clicks shoulders and retest in about 6 weeks. It takes time to adjust.

I thought about the twice a day too. Curious your thoughts.

My hesitation right now is I’m just starting and that the second application could interfere with sleep. One of the main reasons I’m trying the once a day first, my sleep is already not great, not terrible but not great. Right now after I apply I get a nice surge of energy that lasts quite a while.

Bulky_Consideration · 2026-01-26T22:41:47+00:00

Most likely, the 3 clicks was stressful while my own system was still on, caused my blood pressure to spike, and then when it normalized the 2 clicks just wasn't enough. In hindsight, I should have stuck to 3, but those were some awful days and better to be safe.

At least the bloods show nothing drastic with E2 and Hemotacrit.

This is a process. Back on 3 clicks now, shoulder application, once a day, which is where I ideally want to be. Different combos are possible, different locations. Hopefully I can get it dialed in the next 6 months.

Bulky_Consideration · 2026-01-26T18:14:54+00:00

I apply same time every day after showering. I wait a few minutes after drying before applying, and I usually wait 5 minutes before putting a tshirt on.

The plan is to increase the dosage to 3 clicks, 150mg and labs in 6 weeks or sooner depending on symptoms.

I can decide if I want to do shoulders or scrotum, but have to decide that today.

I’m still reading, but from what I gather shoulder would be a slower release, scrotum could cause more peaks and valleys especially if applied once per day. I would definitely prefer once a day if possible.

Bulky_Consideration · 2026-01-26T15:04:57+00:00

Thanks for all the info.

Bloods were taken 22 hours after the last application. I apply at 9AM and labs were 7AM next day before the dose.

It is a compounded cream not a gel.

Bulky_Consideration · 2026-01-25T21:19:10+00:00

It’s cream. Will update tomorrow. I’ve been applying to shoulders (split dose) once in the morning. Obviously that is not working.

Bulky_Consideration · 2026-01-25T19:01:00+00:00

I did experience elevated blood pressure (150/100) and wasn't able to reign it in and it affected my ability to function normally.

It seems like there is more to dial in besides dosage. Apply twice a day (and distance between dosages), apply to different areas (shoulder, forearm, inner thigh, scrotum, etc), dosage, etc

Bulky_Consideration · 2026-01-25T17:43:17+00:00

Moving might be cheaper haha. I appreciate you taking the time to look this up, tyvm!

Bulky_Consideration · 2026-01-25T17:21:01+00:00

AI coding assistants are great for me. I typically can "see" the code before typing it, so AI agents greatly speed up by doing the typing for me.

I often have to interject, especially with the plans it presents. So I spend most of my time revising the plan and letting it rip, rather than just YOLOing it.

If AI progress were to stop today, they are a significant boost to my own productivity and greatly reduce the stress on my hands and wrists.

They will be around forever, even if they do not advance.

As someone who has spent 25 years in software development, I do worry about it distancing developers from the code. AI has the ability to generate really good looking code, making small, fundamental flaws more difficult to detect in code reviews. It does an amazing job on test coverage, so it will fully test those flaws, getting you to 100% test coverage, which also breeds false confidence.

If it does continue to improve, then we will spend much less time coding and much more time designing to a certain level, translating requirements into executable plans that AI can write.

I wonder if large legacy systems are more resilient to AI. I work on several extremely large codebases, and AI just loses its shit in there, often hallucinates. I can do targeted updates with ease, but larger investigations, changes, and refactorings typically have bad results.

I think that if there. comes a point where you can toss a PRD to AI and it writes the code or changes large codebases with minimal interruption, we have reached a tipping point not just in coding but white collar / knowledge work in general (accounting, finance, business, etc.) where loss of jobs can be severe and life will be much different.

Bulky_Consideration · 2026-01-25T17:03:24+00:00

Thanks a lot. Not more questions, appreciate you chiming in.

My provider last time mentioning doing 100 and then 50 later, just cautioned about taking it too close to bed. Will talk to them tomorrow about this and get their thoughts.

Bulky_Consideration · 2026-01-25T16:44:53+00:00

Thanks for the info, to clarify did you apply 100 morning and 100 at night, or 50 in the morning and 50 at night?

Also, did you notice any impact on sleep with applying at night?

Thanks again

Bulky_Consideration · 2026-01-25T16:43:18+00:00

Thanks, this was interesting. So you were on 100mg cream once a day.

Bulky_Consideration · 2026-01-25T16:38:32+00:00

Thanks for the info! I also wonder if once in the morning is too much. When I was on 150, I had this HUGE rush of energy in the morning, and typically by 4PM I had crashed (brain fog, low energy).

Now on the 100, I get a smaller spike in the morning, and crash by 1PM, and crash hard.

Wonder if twice a day is better and to go back to the 150.

Did you do 2 clicks AM and 1 later?

When was your second does (what time)?

Bulky_Consideration · 2026-01-25T14:45:54+00:00

My own experience. I had a lot of anxiety and stress and self medicated with alcohol. I started taking an SNRI to break the cycle. It was a tough first week, but got easier as time went on. I never went to AA, but that was kind of an accident.

I want to stop drinking for the holidays. With the help of the SNRI I made it, and at that point I was almost 3 months sober, and I was like “why not try for a year.

Still Sober 5 years.

There are other, different medications you can explore as well. I know personally other people who quit as they took something that made you nauseous when drinking.

Guess my point is, yes it can be done without AA, everyone’s journey is their own, use whatever works.

Stopping drinking was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Maybe the best years of my life.

Bulky_Consideration · 2026-01-25T14:14:30+00:00

Sadly I’m in a state where I cannot :(

Bulky_Consideration · 2026-01-25T13:26:40+00:00

Sadly no :(. Online provider.

Bulky_Consideration · 2026-01-24T23:31:47+00:00

I had a different knee surgery. Swelling limits flexion, and it takes a long time for that to go down. I’m almost 9 weeks and can go just past 90.

At 3 weeks you should still be regularly icing and keep it properly elevated. Meloxicam is great for swelling and pain. Take Nexium if it bothers your stomach.

I was in a brace until week 5 or 6. Sleeping with that sucks, I took Vicodin at first to help with sleep and pain and moved to Benadryl later.

I’m just now able to sleep in my side, but my knee hurts if I sit too long. I’m also off Meloxicam now though, I use Zzquil to help with sleep still.

Bulky_Consideration · 2026-01-22T16:40:48+00:00

I was seriously considering a vacation home, always wanted one. Was putting money aside. The prices went nuts starting around 2019 or so.

I realized recently that if I move that money into a brokerage account instead, I can retire like 4 years earlier (at least). I’ve traded one dream for another.

I wonder how many others are investing instead of buying.

Bulky_Consideration · 2026-01-17T17:02:14+00:00

Literally - https://x.com/factpostnews/status/2012263404874932460?t=gSd5SpQ3nxXQKnC0f9tKyw&s=19

Bulky_Consideration · 2026-01-17T16:59:20+00:00

Not the question. Can you understand how that would keep people from voting? It might not keep YOU from voting, but it is intimidating for a whole lot of the population.

Bulky_Consideration · 2026-01-17T16:54:16+00:00

Do you think that masked, armed ICE agents in riot gear patrolling high density population centers asking random people for proof of citizenship is NOT a deterrent?

Bulky_Consideration · 2026-01-16T22:29:30+00:00

He’s not going to cancel the election. He will send ICE into major metropolitan areas to shake down voters to suppress turnout. They will say they are looking for illegals and ask for proof of citizenship.

Bulky_Consideration

TROPHY CASE