T shot given in wrong place all this time

[Dominick_81]

I've been on T for a little over 4 years and I just found out the people giving it to me were giving it in the wrong place. Is this why my T levels are never right (ex: too high and too low?) And that I haven't had the changes I've been hoping for?

[wheat thins are delicious]

I've been on T for a little over 4 years and I just found out the people giving it to me were giving it in the wrong place. Is this why my T levels are never right (ex: too high and too low?) And that I haven't had the changes I've been hoping for?

Where were you receiving the shot? 

[Dominick_81]

probably about in the middle of my thigh.

[wheat thins are delicious]

No.  It's fine to inject there.  That's around where I inject.  You are still getting the T if it's going into your muscle.  Your endo could just not be that great at her job and doesn't know how to tailor your T dose to your body.  Are you consistent with your shot?  How soon after a shot does she test your levels?  Testing too early in the shot cycle can show high levels, testing too late can show low levels.  If it's the time of testing that is the issue and your levels really are fine when properly tested, then you just might not be genetically inclined to get the results you want.  I want certain results as well, but facts are I'll never get them because of my genetics. 

[AndrewB]

Middle of the thigh is the place most guys giving their own shots (including myself) receive their injection. The buttocks and, if you're fairly muscular, the deltoid are also acceptable places. The goal is to inject into a large muscle (such as the vastus lateralis, your large thigh muscle) that will slowly release the testosterone over the 1-2 weeks between shot cycles.

[Dominick_81]

@ wheat thins are delicious: The shot is not given in the muscle. Pretty consistent... was getting it every 7 days, but that was too high and was then getting it every 9,10, or 11 days b/c of the office being closed, so I'm going back now to getting my shot every 9, 10, or 11 days. I get 2 or 3 shots then I get tested for my levels, the day of my shot before my next shot. Once she says my levels are okay I get my levels checked 3-6 months. But it's been different times. So I'm gunna try to get them checked after I had 2-3 shots again and see where my levels are and then if they are good, I'll probably get them checked in another 3 months.

@AndrewB: My shots were never injected into the muscle. I showed my mother and she said, "no the person giving you your shots are giving it to you in the wrong places, it's supposed to be injected in the the muscle...the upper front side of your thigh." ... My mom is a nurse so she knows how those shots are given.

[aross1015]

If your shot is being injected into fat rather than muscle you are fine.  Subq is a thing.  Also curious why your mother didn't just do your shots from the beginning if she is a nurse. 

[AndrewB]

@Dominick_81, I believe your mother is referring to a different muscle group for injection site. The vastus lateralis is completely on the side of the leg, as seen in the video below (and many other similar videos I checked) :


From the sounds of it, you're fine. Either way, aross1015 is right, SubQ is a common practice, although the doses are typically lower for that kind of T shot.

[Dominick_81]

If your shot is being injected into fat rather than muscle you are fine.  Subq is a thing.  Also curious why your mother didn't just do your shots from the beginning if she is a nurse. 

I guess it is being injected into the fat if not the muscle...? I thought T injections were supposed to be injected only into the muscle...? Anyways, I'm having the woman give me my shots in the upper front side of my thigh now.

My mom had a hard time with my transition in the beginning and didn't want me taking T,  but now she has made a full circle and is very supportive and if there comes a time when I don't have anyone to give my shots my mother would now do it. She has even volunteered to do it and one point, but it might just be easier to go to the endo office b/c they have the needles and supplies.

@Dominick_81, I believe your mother is referring to a different muscle group for injection site. The vastus lateralis is completely on the side of the leg, as seen in the video below (and many other similar videos I checked) :


From the sounds of it, you're fine. Either way, aross1015 is right, SubQ is a common practice, although the doses are typically lower for that kind of T shot.

It's not completely on the side, it's the upper front side... it's similar to the video but more on the upper front side of my thigh and I don't lay down on my side to get it done like in the video, I just sit in the chair. I don't know if I've ever heard of SubQ...?

[wheat thins are delicious]

Look up subcutaneous injection, which it sounds like you are getting.  A lot of guys do it that way.

[Dominick_81]

Look up subcutaneous injection, which it sounds like you are getting.  A lot of guys do it that way.

okay, thanks.

[FTMax]

Ask your doctor to clarify as well next time you see them. There are some other shot site options for subq that you could consider if you don't like the thigh.