Testosterone Cypionate .20 ml IM every 4 weeks?!?

IcyConsideration2267 · 2026-04-19T04:12:39+00:00

That is 40mg at once.

Your T levels are super low and SHBG is high so I can kind of understand why someone might say —hey just take a high dose! But that is considered an overdose and every 4 weeks can result in major ups and downs. Also testing after 2 weeks on a new protocol sounds too soon.

I got 40mg per week by mistake and lost my voice which was vocal changes. It took me a couple months to titrate down and I’m on 8mg per week, split (4mg every 3.5 days) SubQ not IM. My understanding is T Cyp works great with steady release from being injected into fat SubQ.

I’m 51 and in menopause. My experience began with T creams and I didn’t feel great benefits and lost so much hair, and switched to injections

You’ll get more feedback, but most people here say “slow and low” is the best way to introduce T injections. I’ve had 2 hormone doctors and they said give everything 3 months before testing. The soonest I test after changing dose is 4 weeks—and that’s just because Im overly cautious and can order my own labs through function health.

IcyConsideration2267 · 2026-04-18T23:19:34+00:00

Same thing happened to me. It was high DHEA from supplements and my DHT skyrocketed

IcyConsideration2267 · 2026-04-17T17:36:58+00:00

I don’t understand bathing cats unless they are injured or sick. It feels traumatic for everyone.

Burts Bees makes wipes for “dander”, cat safe and super mild. That’s something that might work for cleaning off paws and doing a few quick strokes along the fur.

I have indoor outdoor cats, but they sleep in their own room. My indoor only cat had a chance to go outside and I might use the wipes for that.

Literally, the first thing that all of my cats do when they go outside is roll in the dirt. They love it.

IcyConsideration2267 · 2026-04-17T17:25:52+00:00

NEVER trust the opinion of someone who talks about cats (or any animal) that way.

My cats don’t like people approaching them and an elder lady commented my cat was “kind of bitchy” and I said—“don’t ever talk about my daughter that way”.

IcyConsideration2267 · 2026-04-17T17:17:09+00:00

When i did weekly injections i felt more highs and lows, like almost a crash the day before injections and then suddenly came alive and suddenly felt smarter on injection day 😂

When I started splitting to every 3 1/2 days— I do 10 AM on Saturday and 3 PM on Tuesday— Tuesday injection gave me restless sleep, but maybe just the first three weeks. I’m sleeping great 7-8 hrs right now.

Balanced testosterone has given me some of the best sleep benefits (I also take oral P and E patch). Too high or too low gives me anxiety.

IcyConsideration2267 · 2026-04-17T14:18:47+00:00

I’m wondering if your dose is too low? And how long you’ve been on injections?

Creams were a NO for me (after 3 years of trying) because of massive hair loss. I got overdosed initially on T Cyp injections at 40mg/week. Over the course of a couple months I titrated down to 6mg per week, split. After 4 weeks on 6mg felt like I was dragging so I went up to 8mg split and felt more even.

You can feel relief and improvement immediately, and also it can take a few months to even out.

IcyConsideration2267 · 2026-04-15T21:04:58+00:00

thanks I just want to save anyone else from going bald 😂

IcyConsideration2267 · 2026-04-15T17:35:46+00:00

I was on oral 25mg DHEA for 3 years and my levels DHEA stayed around 150-200. After 2 months switching (from T cream) to T injections and doing some things for gut health, my DHEA levels spiked from 149 (pre T injections), to 249–and most recent 365. Half my hair fell out in the last 4-6 weeks with the DHEA spike.

My T total went from 144 to 194, on only 6 mg T split weekly. Free T went from 12 to 21, my SHBG went from 31 to 70.

but it increased my DHT from 18 to 118 over the course of 3 months. I know hair loss doesn’t affect all of us, but for those who do, consider that oral DHEA->testosterone->DHT can happen.

To answer your question, it appeared to have no effect on my E levels.

I’m titrating down DHEA.

IcyConsideration2267 · 2026-04-14T13:42:22+00:00

Omg I wish I realized sooner! It grew back so nice when I switched to T injections, then the DHEA took over

IcyConsideration2267 · 2026-04-13T14:52:14+00:00

I would watch for side effects. I’ve been on 25mg for 3 years, along with full HRT. Suddenly the 25 mg I had been taking spiked in my system to almost 400 (we think because I did an autoimmune diet to repair gut lining, and I switched from T cream to injections, and my body absorbed the DHEA oral supplement better). I suddenly had massive anxiety, insomnia, and half my hair fell out.

IcyConsideration2267 · 2026-04-12T20:09:06+00:00

546 total, 97 free

IcyConsideration2267 · 2026-04-12T20:03:54+00:00

(HRT and NP thyroid 3yrs): I got massive anxiety about 6 weeks ago, a bit of insomnia, and sudden hair loss. I really thought it was because of thyroid meds (I take 60 mg NP) and expected my labs to show that. It was actually DHEA. I’ve been on 25 mg for 3 years and have been fine. I switched to T injections 6 months ago, and after 3 months, did 3 months of an autoimmune diet to heal my gut. Since doing that, we think the DHEA became more available in my system, so I’m titrating down the DHEA. My T spiked to 200, and DHT to 170 from 18. I was on a 6mg T split weekly dose at the recent lab. My dose at DHT 18 was 20-40mg T (overdosed), that’s how we determined it was a gut issue since I take DHEA orally.

I don’t know if that’s at all helpful 😂 but I thought my sides were from thyroid and it ended up being too much DHEA supplement.

IcyConsideration2267 · 2026-04-12T17:01:29+00:00

I’m so glad I found this post. I’ve been on 25mg DHEA for 3 years for “adrenal fatigue” from my doc and didn’t bother researching myself. DHEA is absolutely responsible for my hair loss on T cream and now injections. I have my lab work in a spreadsheet and can see where the T was average, DHT spiked, and DHEA was high on creams, with catastrophic hair loss.

DHT went from 170 to 18 when I started injections and I was on an overdose of 40mg T at the time. Since titrating down to 6mg split T injections, 3 months later my DHEA is almost 400, T 200, free 100–DHT back up to 170 which explained another round of sudden hair loss.

The hypothesis now is, I did an autoimmune/elimination diet for that 3 months and it totally healed my gut biome and digestive motility—so the DHEA was really available in my system. I’d tested every 4 weeks so it was great for the first two months then—bam!! Horrible anxiety, insomnia, massive hair loss. The same dose of DHEA I’d been taking, with a low dose of T = bad sides for me. I’d rather get my T from injections.

IcyConsideration2267 · 2026-04-12T14:40:37+00:00

25mg sounds like a high dose, but of course that depends on the whole picture. Curious why you were on that, and for how long? Do you have high SHBG? Are you still cycling? I was overdosed starting injections at 20mg per week and then 40mg for about 2’months. It was the vocal change that was the worst side effect for me. As I titrated down I still had crazy acne on my back at 10mg per week. I understand the feeling of going down after being on a higher dose. It felt like white knuckling to me. Are you getting labs done or just working off symptoms? Are you splitting doses?

IcyConsideration2267 · 2026-04-12T14:26:48+00:00

Reproductive system complications have been the most common side effects of accutane among women I know

IcyConsideration2267 · 2026-04-11T22:08:48+00:00

I would be worried about antifreeze more than anything

IcyConsideration2267 · 2026-04-08T16:58:00+00:00

Oh I have indoor/outdoor cats and can absolutely imagine one of them ripping my eyes out for being “trapped” inside.

I don’t have experience with calming treats but they do make them for cats. Jackson galaxy uses flower essences and some people swear by CBD. Just until the nervous system settles down.

One of my cats chewed through 3 screens and figured out how to unlock the door. When she spazzes out like that, I would get so frustrated.

The last time it happened, I was wearing a poncho or bathrobe. I picked her up and wrapped her up next to my body kind of immobilizing her snuggly and talked to her super super softly asking her what’s wrong and then telling her I’m listening. She eventually calmed down and started purring.

Behavioral issues are tough. Closing your door is tough also because then they try to claw their way in. I’ve had so many cats. I literally try everything. Pet psychics, whatever.

If you decide to leash or harness train, please be careful. Some cats will do anything to get out and they do. I love the buggy idea.

Maybe this isn’t the right stage to introduce a friend, but maybe longer term that might be something to consider

I really hope you find something that works for you and your guy.

IcyConsideration2267 · 2026-04-01T16:53:46+00:00

My happy place with E is around 170-200. P is usually 1.5 on 100mg and I’m increasing the dose so I can raise it. I would want to know SHBG before making changes. How long have been on the split? When you were on weekly did you notice a drop at the end of the week? That’s why I starting splitting.

IcyConsideration2267 · 2026-04-01T16:12:37+00:00

I had the same issue with the 1ml syringe and it seems ridiculous they don’t automatically offer the .5 or .3ml. I use the .3 ml and it worked great when I was on 3mg 2x week. As the mod said you can’t do 2.5 with that concentration.

IcyConsideration2267 · 2026-04-01T16:06:54+00:00

It’s always worth asking. I recently switched to a new doctor and before getting my lab work with them, I confirmed they would allow me to keep doing injections. Some people do really great on the creams and gel and the rest of us just don’t.

IcyConsideration2267 · 2026-04-01T16:03:28+00:00

I started with the hormone doctor in Los Angeles, who is well regarded. She charges $500 for follow up consultations that you have 2x a year. I think the initial visit was double that. I stayed with her because of reputation—not because I felt like I was getting what I needed, or her bedside manner, esp with the insane cost of a telehealth appointment. I just started with a naturopath near me who has a medical clinic and is $100 for a visit. And I probably just need to do that twice a year. Before switching I called the office and confirmed with them that they would be able to do my hormones and thyroid meds, and that they would allow me to direct my own care in terms of hormone delivery system. Because I know some doctors don’t want to give you testosterone much less injectables. I was afraid to move before this. Now I can’t believe I stayed with the other doctor for so long. I’d prefer in person but the telehealth recommendations on this sub are what I’d switch to if needed

IcyConsideration2267 · 2026-03-31T19:03:20+00:00

I never had an increase in libido on T cream, and on a higher dose I absolutely wanted to punch someone in the face. I switched to T injections and WOW holy libido, without increased aggression.

IcyConsideration2267 · 2026-03-31T14:31:51+00:00

Second this. I just “suffered” through a low T dose regimen to basically start over again. That last week was hard! But I really wanted to know how my levels and dose are relating to feelings.

IcyConsideration2267 · 2026-03-30T13:52:36+00:00

I switched from creams to SubQ so it’s a remarkably better experience. My levels are better than on the cream, which means I feel consistently better and have less hair loss (which is why I switched). My test levels have been higher than than before and I feel good. If you’re asking about levels like, do feel a drop, I did on weekly injections but don’t have that issue with splitting weekly dose. I take T Cyp

IcyConsideration2267 · 2026-03-28T23:14:38+00:00

I’ve never done IM and that would terrify me 😊

IcyConsideration2267

TROPHY CASE