Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) aims to alleviate symptoms associated with hypogonadal men and restore hormone levels back into physiologic range. There are currently various preparations of testosterone available on the market which differ in terms of delivery method and pharmacokinetics.
At Defy Medical, our partnerships with compounding pharmacies allow us to customize TRT prescriptions quickly and more precisely than with commercial products. This enables us to adjust and optimize doses more rapidly.
Subcutaneous Injections
Subcutaneous injections are the most frequently utilized form of testosterone replacement therapy, administered directly into fatty tissue beneath the skin. Dosage and frequency depend upon each individual patient’s symptoms and lab tests; and goals of treatment must be discussed with your healthcare provider; for instance, do you want to achieve maximum safe levels or start at lower dosage levels gradually increasing it?
Testosterone injections offer many advantages over pills or patches in terms of convenience and effectiveness. Furthermore, injections often produce faster changes than other forms of hormone therapy.
People who fear needles may find it beneficial to apply topical numbing cream a few minutes prior to receiving an injection, and use distraction tactics during the procedure such as taking deep breaths, watching television or speaking to another person for company during this time.
Disposing of used syringes and needles safely and responsibly is of utmost importance. A hard plastic container made specifically for used needles would be best, or you can reuse an empty soda bottle. Be sure to consult your physician or clinic as to their state’s requirements for disposing of needles.
Injections tend to be less painful than intramuscular injections because the needle does not need to penetrate as much muscle tissue. However, location can have an effect on how painful an injection will be; people who are thin should avoid areas with lots of fat deposits for best results. It is also recommended that multiple sites be spread out over at least 1 inch apart for maximum effectiveness.
Intramuscular Injections
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is used by men suffering from low testosterone to restore energy and enhance their libido, but has historically been associated with cardiovascular issues like heart attacks and strokes. New research indicates that risk may not be as great as previously feared by doctors.
Study participants included nearly 600 men who received either a daily standard dose of testosterone gel or placebo for two years, and researchers observed their hearts for signs of atrial fibrillation or other cardiovascular issues; those taking testosterone did not experience these issues compared with control group members.
Intramuscular injections, in contrast with subcutaneous ones, target larger muscles such as those found in the thighs and buttocks. Treatment frequency will typically be determined by your gender-affirming FOLX practitioner based on subjective symptoms and objective lab values; they’re administered twice or once every other week at your gender-affirming FOLX practice’s discretion. Furthermore, intramuscular injections offer another benefit by eliminating multiple injections a day; only short office visits are necessary per dosage visit.
Injections should generally be administered into either the deltoid muscle of the upper arm or vastus lateralis muscle in the thigh. Avoid dorsogluteal sites in buttock due to their proximity to major blood vessels and bones – this makes self-injection difficult without assistance from others. The G method for injecting into thigh muscle may also prove more reliable; simply locate two points on both hip and thigh bone endpoints where this cross shape exists for reliable injection into this region. Finally, avoid injection sites displaying evidence of abrasions or infection for best results.
Testosterone Cypionate
Testosterone cypionate injections are administered directly into muscle, usually the buttocks, and used to treat males who don’t produce enough natural testosterone, a condition known as hypogonadism. Low testosterone can lead to mood changes, loss of libido, difficulty getting or maintaining an erection and difficulty keeping one going for extended periods. Furthermore, Testosterone cypionate may also help treat reduced bone density caused by osteoporosis; this medication must be obtained only with prior medical clearance from your physician.
This medication may increase your blood cholesterol and triglycerides levels, increasing your risk for heart disease and stroke. Therefore, it is important to regularly check these levels while on this medication and inform your doctor or healthcare provider if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, liver or kidney issues or sleep apnea as this drug could exacerbate them further.
As with any medication, there is the risk of serious allergic reactions such as swelling of the skin or breathing difficulties to this drug. If this occurs for you, stop using it immediately and seek emergency medical assistance immediately.
There are various options when it comes to taking testosterone, including creams and gels. Unfortunately, they can be messy and require special care in application, with limited absorption rates which means some medication could remain on your skin surface after application. Topical testosterone may even transfer between family members so it is crucial that proper application instructions are followed carefully.
Defy Medical providers work directly with compounding pharmacies to offer you an array of Testosterone replacement therapy delivery systems tailored specifically to you and your needs. By doing so, they are able to create personalized plans tailored exactly to you and your preferences.
Testosterone Enanthate
Testosterone enanthate is a long-acting androgen depot medication administered at doses up to 400 mg monthly for monthly use in hypogonadal men, prepubertal boys, men with Klinefelter syndrome and delayed puberty patients. Additionally, this long-acting androgen may be used to maintain male sexual characteristics, promote bone mineralization and treat breast cancer in postmenopausal women following mastectomy.
Before beginning testosterone enanthate therapy, it is vital to undergo a proper diagnosis of hypogonadism and have serum testosterone concentrations measured twice on separate mornings in order to confirm they fall below the normal range. Testosterone enanthate may lead to increases in body weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels as well as fluid retention that could result in congestive heart failure or even lead to edema or congestive heart failure; furthermore it may cause prostate problems; it is advisable not inject into the same site every time so as to minimize risks for side effects.
As it is important to inform your doctor of any health conditions you are living with, especially heart or blood vessel disease, blood clots or taking medications which cause high calcium levels (hypercalcemia), you should report them immediately if you notice signs such as weakness, confusion or tiredness associated with high calcium levels such as weakness.
This medication should not be taken during pregnancy or by children as it can harm an unborn baby. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, discontinue use immediately and consult your physician immediately.
Testosterone Undecanoate
Testosterone undecanoate (TU) is a long-acting ester formulation of testosterone available by injection or oral administration, or as part of a combination prescription. An ester is a molecular chain attached to the hormone that releases it slowly over time when administered orally – regardless of which esters make up your prescription, the end result remains the same – the exact same hormone is released into your system at every moment in time.
Oral TU is rapidly absorbed in oleic acid, circumventing first-pass metabolism and any risk of hepatotoxicity. Due to its short half-life and individual variance in levels, oral TU should only be prescribed when other forms of TRT have not produced satisfactory results for you. This medication should generally only be considered when other options have failed.
Injection therapy is an efficient form of TRT that requires weekly or biweekly injections into large muscle areas of the buttocks or thighs. Our nurse will administer injections at our clinic or teach you to self-inject using an easy device provided by us; this type of TRT has proven highly successful with patients, yet is not appropriate for everyone due to potential serious reactions such as pulmonary oil microembolism and anaphylaxis reactions.
With injections, we can quickly and effectively adjust and optimize your dosage, to ensure you experience the maximum benefit from TRT. In contrast to other forms of treatment like pellet implants that require surgery and lengthy office visits for administration, injections can be administered from the comfort of your own home or medical clinic.
