my starting blood work was 303mg/ml free was 14. The patches did absolutely nothing for me. I am starting my 3rd week. I will get one more shot beginning my 2nd month, I will have blood work at that end to see where my levels are. I heard going 4 weeks with one inject gives you ups and downs. The theory is since my body is making some testosterone, the doc does not what to shut down my body completely. She laughed, in a good way, when I mentioned balls shrinking and all. She says things have come a long way in treating with hormones. So far I still feel great. These two weeks i felt like the energizer bunny. No sore muscles, not tired, etc. I move fast, outdoor sports. Everyone is asking what I am on, hahaha. I do think by the last couple weeks, i might feel down, we will see. She wants to start me out slow and adjust as we go. So next month I get my blood work. I am glad it is at the end of the month to see how much test I have in my blood. I do not want the blood work after the shot, of course it will be high. Like someone said, everyone is different. If you take too much then estrogen kicks in. So she wants my body to still function along with the addition of external testosterone. Body builders take large amounts of test and that is why you hear so much about HCG and all. My ed is not completely cured, but she says that could take up to 3 months. When i got my first shot it surprised me and I said ouch. hahah The nurse said sorry. It wasn't that big of a needle. Just was like a pinch in my butt. I hope I did not offend anyone with my first post. I was on the body building site and that was just ridiculous what the guys were injecting.