How To Self-Administer Testosterone Injections

Personalizing Care for Patients with Low Testosterone < Sexual and Reproductive Medicine Blog

Testosterone injections have 100% absorption so I can achieve very consistent blood levels of testosterone and it’s easy to titrate dosing. Short acting (once or twice weekly) testosterone shots are also dirt cheap compared to other forms of testosterone treatment. Excess testosterone levels will sometimes be seen with injections but these supraphysiologic levels can be mitigated with a simple change in dosing regimen. Again, medically prescribed testosterone is NOT the same as taking anabolic steroids. Results of the trials assessing cognitive function, anemia, bone density, and cardiovascular health are forthcoming.

Which one a patients pursues is a personal preference based on their comfort level. At Craft Men’s Clinic, we understand the importance of using testosterone safely and effectively. Our team offers personalized advice and medically supervised plans designed just for you. However, the timing can be flexible depending on your schedule and lifestyle. Some people prefer evening injections to avoid morning rushes or discomfort interfering with daily activities. Early signs and symptoms of puberty have occurred in young children who have come in direct contact with testosterone by touching areas where men have used Male Excel’s Testosterone Lipoderm Cream.

People can also use testosterone injections to treat delayed puberty or certain signs of menopause. A 2019 review and meta-analysis of previous studies found that testosterone therapy improved sexual desire, pleasure, and satisfaction in comparison with a placebo or other forms of hormone therapy. However, a significant number of these patients did not have low enough testosterone levels to receive a diagnosis of hypogonadism. Hypogonadism is when the testes are not producing enough testosterone or sperm. They provide a dose of testosterone, which is one of the sex hormones, to the bloodstream.

For instance, a change in diet can significantly impact testosterone production. Foods like fatty fish, leafy greens, eggs, avocados, pomegranate, ginger, and oysters are known to boost testosterone levels. For example, leafy greens are high in magnesium, and oysters are rich in zinc. Moreover, there are concerns that testosterone therapy could stimulate the growth of prostate cancer cells. While the evidence is mixed, doctors often err on the side of caution, particularly in men who may already be at risk for prostate cancer. In 2022, there are multiple delivery system options for testosterone replacement therapy. These include pills by mouth, Once per week subcutaneous injections, Once every two weeks intramuscular injections, testosterone nasal spray, topical gels as well as four-month depot pellets.

Similar to IM injections, periodic monitoring of the patients for risks and benefits should continue as recommended by clinical practice guidelines (1). Testosterone therapy is increasingly common in the United States, and many of these prescriptions what are low testosterone numbers written by primary care physicians. There is conflicting evidence on the benefit of male testosterone therapy for age-related declines in testosterone. Physicians should not measure testosterone levels unless a patient has signs and symptoms of hypogonadism, such as loss of body hair, sexual dysfunction, hot flashes, or gynecomastia.

Cholesterol can be synthesized by the Leydig cell or obtained from circulating lipoproteins when additional testosterone production is needed. Lipoproteins are particles such as LDL (low density lipoprotein) and HDL (high density lipoprotein) which transport cholesterol and phospholipids in the blood. You need 2 qualifying test results conducted before 10 am to start treatment. If you qualify on the first test, you return to the center for a second confirmation test, consultation with the provider, and your first injection.

Lastly, SubQ injection sites are more susceptible to infection of the injected area than via IM, as the area is less vascularized. On the flip side, with SubQ injections, irritating solutions or more concentrated dosages might cause sloughing off of the skin epithelial tissue. There is less blood flow to quickly absorb the injection of testosterone. The absorption of your testosterone is slower as there are fewer blood vessels in the fatty tissue; this is actually an advantage, however, if you’re looking for a prolonged effect. SubQ shots are less painful since you’re using smaller gauge needles and injecting into fatty tissue beneath the skin versus into your muscle.

Most of the data regarding the effects of elevated testosterone levels on mood come from exogenous testosterone administration. Few studies have looked at high endogenous levels of testosterone and mood although some have suggested increased aggression and risk taking behavior. As with venous thromboembolism, I think it is very important to avoid supraphysiologic testosterone levels in men with atrial fibrillation. I also prefer to start at low doses of testosterone and gradually increase them into the mid-normal range of physiologic testosterone.

Androgens have been reported to stimulate production of red blood cells by enhancing production of erythropoietic stimulation factor. As stated above, abusers of anabolic steroids can demonstrate mood disorders including tendencies towards aggression and risk taking behaviors. There is no good scientific evidence that medical treatment of hypogonadism using testosterone leads to aggression or threatening behavior. One placebo controlled trial using high doses of injectable testosterone demonstrated an increase in anger and hostility after a few weeks of therapy. Much of the reported data on the impact of exogenous testosterone on mood unfortunately comes from the steroid abuser community.