What Types of Testosterone Therapy Can I Use?

Male Hormone Replacement Therapy Can Help with Hormone Deficiency Symptoms

Androgens like Testosterone are male hormones that are linked to many biological processes, including a healthy sex drive, positive mental well-being, and growth of male dominant features and organs. Androgen Deficiency (AD), also known as hypogonadism, occurs when these hormones decline to levels below normal range, causing a man to feel tired all the time, moody, have soft erections or lose interest in sex, gain excessive weight, get flabby muscles, and lose enthusiasm for work and relationships.

When properly diagnosed, Testosterone Deficiency, can be effectively treated with many of the symptoms being reversed or eliminated. Androgen Deficiency due to age is the main cause of Low Testosterone, also called “Low T” or Andropause in men.

Testosterone Replacement Therapies (TRT) come in various hormone replacement preparations and delivery methods. These include long and short acting intramuscular testosterone injections, transdermal hormone patches, transdermal gels, testosterone creams, implantable hormone pellets and oral preparations. After a comprehensive medical consultation between you and your hormone doctor, the appropriate therapy will be determined.

Intramuscular Injections are the most operative for most men in maintaining optimal testosterone levels. With Testosterone injections, you can control the dosage, including frequency of administration, properly. 

Giving Yourself Testosterone Shots. With marginal discomfort, you can administer your low t treatment injections yourself after some guidance from your testosterone doctor. Testosterone therapy should be affordable and not have unwanted effects on the prostate, serum lipids, or cardiovascular system, liver and lung functions. This is the reason that a hormone replacement doctor will follow up with blood work and direct consultation in order to ensure you are injecting or applying the proper dose of testosterone for your individual therapy.

Testosterone Gels are medical creams that are applied like a topical and produce testosterone serum levels in the normal range. You will have a moderate degree of control by applying varying amounts. One thing many men have concerns with is the possibility of transferring the gels to other family members or lovers. This is because some men do not absorb the testosterone from the gel or cream as well as others. The gel and cream testosterone treatment method was presented in the year 2000.

Oral Testosterone preparations, or adhesive gums and pills, produce above normal levels of the testosterone hormone that varies significantly between administrations among individuals providing dosing challenges. Pills can cause liver toxicity and are not recommended by most testosterone replacement doctors. Considered safe and effective, the buccal (oral adhesive gum) testosterone therapy was introduced in 2003 is placed high between the cheek and gums.

Testosterone Pellets. Providing three to six months of steady hormone release into the body is the Implantable Hormone Pellet, one of the most recent testosterone therapies introduced. Testosterone pellets are a little bigger than a grain of salt. The treatment requires a visit to the doctor’s office so theycan make a small incision to implant the testosterone pellets.

Testosterone Programs

Endocrine Society Suggested TRT Program Regimens for Male Hormone Replacement

Based on the patient’s medical history, current hormone levels, hormone administration preference, pharmacokinetics, side effects, treatment options and cost of treatment, Male HRT and Endocrine Medical Professionals are guided to initiate testosterone therapy with four regimens. The four main testosterone drug medications prescribed for TRT are cypionate, enanthate, propionate and undecanoate. Below is a summary of each Low T Program. 

Testosterone Injections Therapy. 75–100 mg of testosterone enanthate or cypionate administered by intramuscular injection weekly, or 150–200 mg administered every two weeks. Propionate is a faster acting steroid administered by injections. The normal prescription is a more frequent injection schedule of administration, which is every two to three days. Pfizer’s Depo-Testosterone is a popular cypionate therapy prescribed, as is Watson and Paddock cypionate injectables, also known as Test-C. Endo Pharma’s Delatestryl is a popular enanthate therapy prescribed, also known as Test-E Aveed®, a new injectable steroid shot from Endo which is a testosterone undecanoate. Propionate injectables, also known as Prop Test-P or Test Prop, are the third steroid treatment option used in TRT programs.

Injectable Testosterone Blends. Sustanon 250 and Omnadren 250 are oil-based injectable blends of four esterized testosterone steroid hormone compounds: 30 mg testosterone propionate; 60 mg testosterone phenylpropionate; 60 mg testosterone isocaproate; and 100 mg testosterone decanoate. The different testosterone esters provide for a variety of long-acting release or half-lives. The variety of esterization of the testosterones in the steroid mix provides for a steady release of testosterone from the injection depot into a man’s bloodstream.

Androgen Dermal Patches. One or two 5-mg testosterone patches can be applied nightly over the skin of the back, thigh, or upper arm, away from pressure areas. Androderm® and Testoderm® are the more popular treatment options.

Androgen Topical Gels. 5–10 mg of a one percent testosterone gel can be applied every day over a covered area of skin. Androgel®, Testim® Fortesta®, Axiron® and Vogelxo® are the more popular Low T gel brands available for topical testosterone therapy. Testosterone topical treatments come in single use tubes, gel packets and a multi-dose pump. The cost of treatment will depend on the prescribed dose and length of your therapy program. The FDA has issued a warning when using transdermal topical testosterone products: Testosterone topical products may cause harmful effects to people who touch your skin in the area where you applied the gel or solution. Women and children are especially likely to be affected if they touch skin that has been covered with testosterone topical products. If a pregnant woman touches skin that has been covered with testosterone topical products, her unborn baby may be harmed.

Androgen Buccal Gums. 30 mg of a bio adhesive buccal testosterone tablet can be applied to buccal mucosa every 12 hours. Striant® is the most well-known buccal testosterone used for TRT and slowly releases a steady stream of steroid hormone into the bloodstream.

Androgen Hormone Pellets. Testosterone pellets implanted into the buttocks or hip area at intervals of three to six months. The pellets are the size of rice and release a steady and consistent amount of testosterone hormone into the bloodstream for up to six months. Testopel® is the most commonly prescribed pellet for low T replacement.

Testosterone Pills and Capsules. Oral testosterone undecanoate, enanthate and methyltestosterone oral formulations are available for androgen therapy. Oral testosterones like many anabolic steroids are very potent and can harm the liver. Medical consultation and special care should be used before taking any oral androgen or steroid drug. Always consult a licensed and experienced testosterone doctor before taking any testosterone drug or supplement.

More Testosterone Information

To learn more about the various options for low testosterone treatments, call Optimal Health MD or fill out the Free Consultation Form.