Using a pen for TRT
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@cyst3m I started doing this a few days ago with a v2 pen, 31 ga, subq, with testosterone ciponate. The math is pretty easy for doing daily does. Im a big fan so far. You domain of want to wait for the oil to inject a few extra seconds than you do for a water based peptide solution. I just wait 20 seconds to be sure.
@theckman80 good to know, thanks. I don't do daily, just 2x a week.
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@theckman80 good to know, thanks. I don't do daily, just 2x a week.
@cyst3m absolutely, that's what I was doing previously.
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I've been using a v2 pen with a 29 gauge .5" pen needle and it works great for my TRT. Nearly the same speed as a peptide through a 33 gauge.
That said, my test C is in GSO oil which is relatively thin and I warm my pen in a baby wipe warmer the night before a shot. If you use cottonseed oil at room temp it might be more challenging. YMMV
Edit to add: There are some potential concerns around degrading rubber pistons from contact with the oil. I can't visually see any evidence of this happening in my cartridge, but something to be aware of. I'm contemplating leaving a little oil in my cartridge when I'm done with it, and sending a sample to Jano after a few months of it sitting.
@diesel after doing some research on the ISO standards. The rubber the pen cartridge is not natural rubber and more of a butyl type rubber/ synthetic (grey) ,made to withstand chemicals breakdown. I did cross reference with AI and pulled up the following info. I understand that AI isn't always reliable, but it's a lot faster at gathering info than what I can do, and a little common sense can filter out the not so accurate info....take this for what it worth, but I am not too concerned about the "rubber" plunger...besides @randy, I don't think that he sells shit products on his site.
For a 3ml pen cartridge (typically used for insulin, GLP-1, or other injectable medications), the "rubber" component is the plunger (stopper).
While ISO 11607 governs the outer pouch you showed earlier, the rubber plunger itself must meet much stricter standards because it is in direct, long-term contact with the medication.- The Material: Bromobutyl or Chlorobutyl
In 3ml cartridges, the "rubber" is almost never natural rubber. It is typically Bromobutyl or Chlorobutyl (Halobutyl) rubber.
- Why? These materials have extremely low gas permeability and high chemical resistance, ensuring the medication doesn't evaporate and oxygen doesn't get in.
- Coatings: High-end cartridges often use a Fluoropolymer film (like FluroTec
) over the rubber. This creates a physical barrier so the medication never actually touches the rubber, preventing the rubber from breaking down.
- ISO 11607 and the "Container Closure System"
ISO 11607 requires that the Packaging System (the pouch) does not negatively affect the Container Closure System (the cartridge).
- Chemical Migration: The standard mandates that gases used in sterilization (like Ethylene Oxide) must be able to pass through the pouch but must not react with the rubber plunger in a way that causes it to swell or become "sticky."
- Leachables & Extractables: Under ISO 11607 and related pharmaceutical standards (USP <382>), the rubber must be tested to ensure that no "plasticizers" or chemicals leach into the 3ml of liquid. Because the volume is so small (3ml), even a tiny amount of chemical breakdown can ruin the concentration of the drug.
- Resistance to Chemical Breakdown
To comply with medical standards, the rubber in your 3ml cartridge is tested for:
- pH Stability: The rubber must not change the acidity of the medication.
- Glidability: The rubber must be treated (often with medical-grade silicone oil) so that it moves smoothly. If chemicals from the sterilization pouch or the drug itself break down this lubricant, the "pen" will jam or deliver an incorrect dose.
- Cross-linking: The rubber is "cured" during manufacturing so that its molecular chains are locked. This prevents chemicals from "attacking" the material and causing it to crumble or dissolve.
Summary of Protections
Feature Protection Mechanism Material Halobutyl rubber (synthetic, highly stable). Barrier Often PTFE or ETFE film-coated to prevent drug-rubber interaction. Sterilization Validated under ISO 11607 to ensure gas/heat doesn't embrittle the seal. Compatibility Tested for "Extractables" to ensure no rubber chemicals enter the 3ml fluid. Are you concerned about a specific chemical (like a cleaning agent or a specific drug) reacting with the cartridge, or are you looking for the validation paperwork for a specific brand?
Cheers - The Material: Bromobutyl or Chlorobutyl
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I picked up a Gansulin auto pen and tried using it for my TRT this morning. I had to press the button a few times to get it to deliver the full dose. Not a huge deal, and better than having to press the plunger manually. I think it's just slightly too much resistence and so the pen stops on its own.
For example, I wound it up to 30 units and clicked the button and it went from 30 to 22. Then I clicked it again and it went down to 10ish. Then another click and it went to 0.
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Are you holding it down the entire time? I thought it was click and go, but you have to hold it down while it dispenses.
That being said, now that I understand it, using it every day is a pleasure and now I want to load everything into my Gansulin, Xulin, or V2 pens.
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Are you holding it down the entire time? I thought it was click and go, but you have to hold it down while it dispenses.
That being said, now that I understand it, using it every day is a pleasure and now I want to load everything into my Gansulin, Xulin, or V2 pens.
@ResearchCat Haha nope I wasn't holding it down. Will give that a try next time!
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I typically draw with a 27g 1/2" and back fill a 30g 1/2" for delt injections. Considering switching to pens as I just bought a V2 and Xulin. Open to the Gansulin if it's "better" or "easier" to do in the delts. Are you guys loading a full 3ml into the cartridge? Considering using a pen with Easy Touch Pen Needles, 29G 1/2" and only do 30 units 2x a week with Cyp (Xiromed uses cottonseed oil as its primary carrier oil)
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I typically draw with a 27g 1/2" and back fill a 30g 1/2" for delt injections. Considering switching to pens as I just bought a V2 and Xulin. Open to the Gansulin if it's "better" or "easier" to do in the delts. Are you guys loading a full 3ml into the cartridge? Considering using a pen with Easy Touch Pen Needles, 29G 1/2" and only do 30 units 2x a week with Cyp (Xiromed uses cottonseed oil as its primary carrier oil)
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@pc.envy I just started using my v1 pen with 29g 1/2 @40u, subQ. I have only filled my cartridge with 2.5ml. it's a slower push with the 29g.
@cyst3m Thanks for the feedback. I only do 120mg a week so I can try putting in 1.2ml and see how it goes and then maybe double that to 2.4ml if I like it. I never tried SQ before with it but will ikely leave my all lumpy so I'll try shallow IM first. I don't mind slow but I'm assuming it's slooooowww
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I picked up a Gansulin auto pen and tried using it for my TRT this morning. I had to press the button a few times to get it to deliver the full dose. Not a huge deal, and better than having to press the plunger manually. I think it's just slightly too much resistence and so the pen stops on its own.
For example, I wound it up to 30 units and clicked the button and it went from 30 to 22. Then I clicked it again and it went down to 10ish. Then another click and it went to 0.
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I’ve done TRT for over 15years and have tested every type of injection.
If you can get your testosterone in MCT oil, that’s smooth like butter.
Now im back loading 31g needles to precession with a pen, sounds crazy but im just OCD on how i need to see exactly dose the insulin needle.
I do Subq daily and its 10units which is minuscule so no bumps.
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@diesel Yeah really thicc viscous compounds like oils can be an issue. You may need to use a bigger needle.
Also on the button front. Hold it down the whole time. If you lift it the gears will catch to stop it.
@Randy Holding down the button worked perfect this morning, that was definitely my issue!
I do put the pen in a baby wipe warmer on medium heat overnight which I think helps with the flow (29 gauge). But my primary reason for using the wipe warmer is it eliminated the subQ lumps I was getting when injecting cold.
