Testosterone Replacement Therapy Department of Urology

DEPO®-TESTOSTERONE testosterone cypionate Description US

Injections are administered into large muscles (usually the buttocks or thigh). Injections can be given in the clinic or you can be taught by our nurse how to administer them yourself. Testosterone is a steroid hormone that is responsible for more than just promoting a healthy sex drive. It can affect several other areas of your overall health and quality of life. Including your body fat, your muscle mass, your bone density, your red blood cell count, and even your mood. Compared to all three forms of testosterone injections, oral TRT has a much shorter half-life, peaking at four to five hours after the dose.

A testosterone patch is a transdermal patch applied to the skin, delivering a controlled dose of testosterone over a set period, usually 24 hours. These patches mimic the body’s natural rhythm of testosterone production, releasing the hormone in a slow and steady manner. This gradual release helps in maintaining steady hormone levels, minimizing fluctuations that can affect mood and energy. Unmodified testosterone has a half-life of 10 minutes; to overcome this limitation, testosterone is esterified and then dissolved in oil to allow for sustained release into the circulation after injection. These oily solutions contain a testosterone ester dissolved in vegetable oil (usually sesame seed, tea seed, castor seed, or cottonseed oil) with some benzyl alcohol. Benzyl alcohol is soluble not only in the oily phase, but also in the aqueous phase, thus facilitating the release of testosterone after workout (https://heuvelpoort.nl/) ester from the depot into the surrounding interstitial fluid (35).

Yet the health benefits of testosterone therapy for age-related decline in testosterone aren’t clear. Testosterone may cause a decrease in the number of sperm (male reproductive cells) produced, especially if it is used at high doses. Testosterone may control your symptoms but will not cure your condition. Your doctor may order certain tests to check your body’s response to testosterone. Your blood pressure should be checked before starting treatment and regularly while you are taking testosterone.

For intramuscular injections, you’ll want to inject into your gluteal muscle (your butt), your thigh muscle, or your shoulder muscle. With subcutaneous injections, you’ll want to inject into your stomach area or your shoulder. Accordingly, there’s no risk of damaging muscle since you’re injecting it into fatty tissue. At Hone, many of our staff are clients as well and most prefer the subcutaneous route. With TRT, some things can take longer before you notice effects, however.

But there are a lot of misconceptions about what the treatment can and can’t do for you. Women should inform their care team if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. Talk with your care team about your birth control options while taking this medication. If you have diabetes, check with your care team before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medication. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. The consultation visit and blood work are typically covered by most insurances. We utilized custom compounded testosterone to decrease the viscosity of the testosterone.

Findings a physician who understands this and asks the right questions is very important as well. Testosterone can affect bone growth in boys who are treated for delayed puberty. Bone development may need to be checked with x-rays every 6 months during treatment. Testosterone is a naturally occurring sex hormone that is produced in a man’s testicles. Small amounts of testosterone are also produced in a woman’s ovaries and adrenal system.

This medicine may cause swelling of the breasts (gynecomastia) and breast pain in some patients. Your blood pressure might get too high while you are using this medicine. If you think your blood pressure is too high, call your doctor right away. This medicine should not be used by women who are pregnant or might become pregnant. Testosterone may cause birth defects if a pregnant woman comes in contact with the medicine. If a pregnancy occurs while you are using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.

It’s a convenient option due to its extended duration in your body. However, this injection can cause serious breathing problems and allergic reactions. Therefore, it’s only administered in a healthcare setting where these issues can be addressed immediately. You should be checked for testosterone levels in the early morning. This is because in most patients, testosterone levels are highest in the morning. Other prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products may also react with testosterone.