May 18, 2022

Testosterone can be administered in several ways. The most common method is by injection.

Testosterone is not stored by the body for future use, so in order to maintain healthy levels, it must be administered in timed intervals and in appropriate dosages. Injectable and subcutaneous T pellets remain active in the body the longest. Injectable T is typically administered between once a week to once every three weeks, and subcutaneous T pellets are replaced every 3-4 months.

Testosterone levels are confirmed through a blood test. Testosterone exists in your bloodstream in two forms– “bound” testosterone and “free” testosterone. The majority of bound testosterone in the body is chemically bound to a protein called “sex hormone binding globulin” (SHBG). The remaining bound testosterone in the system is mostly bound to another protein called albumin. Free testosterone is not chemically attached to any proteins and is considered the “active” form of testosterone, as it is readily available to bind to androgen receptor sites on cells. Normal testosterone level of combined bound and free testosterone in male bodies can range anywhere from 300-1100 ng/dl (nanograms per deciliter). Levels will vary with age and individual factors. Levels of free testosterone can range between 0.3%-5% of the total testosterone count, with about 2% considered an optimal level.

Much of the testosterone that is prescribed for the purposes of hormone therapy is in the form of testosterone “esters.” An ester is simply a name for a chemical compound that is formed from reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alcohol.

There are several different esters of testosterone, including the commonly prescribed testosterone enanthate and testosterone cypionate.

Testosterone enanthate (7 carbons) and testosterone cypionate (8 carbons) both take about 8-10 days to be fully released in the system, and so they are typically injected once every 7-14 days.

 

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