Bioidentical testosterone is attached to a carrier molecule known as "ester" which is enzymatically cleaved in the bloodstream. Testosterone still attached to the ester is 'bioactive' and unavailable for your body's use. The longer testosterone is bioactive, the lesser the dosage is absorbed by your body.
Knowing the half-life of the ester allows us to measure how long the ester is bioactive in the body. Metabolizing the ester varies slightly from patient to patient.
Misunderstanding half-lives and bioactivity can seriously affect how patients feel.
Sub-optimal protocols lead to irritation at the injection site among other side effects.
Testosterone propionate
Half-life: 1.75-2.25 days
Approximate free equivalent from 100mg dose: 83mg
Best use: Daily injections
Testosterone enanthate
Half-life: 5-6 days
Approximate free equivalent from 100mg dose: 72mg
Best use: Bi-weekly or weekly
Testosterone cypionate
Half-life: 5-6 days
Approximate free equivalent from 100mg dose: 70mg
Best use: Bi-weekly or weekly
Testosterone undecanoate (Nebido)
Half-life: 10-14 weeks
Approximate free equivalent from 100mg dose: 63mg
Best use: 14-week injection protocol
The main difference between enanthate and cypionate is the compounding vehicle. Cypionate requires 20% benzyl benzoate to solubilize. Enanthate melts slightly above room temperature, so benzyl benzoate isn't required.
When measuring blood testosterone levels of testosterone cypionate or enanthate injections, while the half-life is 5-6 days, the peak blood testosterone levels occur 2-3.5 days after injection, while the bottom occurs 4-5 days post-injection
Millions of diabetics inject themselves daily with insulin needles. Most patients' fear of needles quickly vanishes after the first injection. It’s painless, quick, and will become a part of your daily routine like brushing your teeth.
Require longer needles, especially if one possesses high levels of body fat, as the needle has to penetrate the epidermis, dermis, sub-Q tissue, and muscle. Intramuscular injections have been trusted for decades.
Do not penetrate as far as intramuscular injections as the target fat tissues of the lower stomach or buttocks area are easily accessible.
Research shows that subcutaneous injections produce therapeutic serum concentrations at lower doses than intramuscular injections. Meaning that less medication is needed to achieve optimal health benefits. In some patients, less than half of the dosage of intramuscular injection is needed to produce the same blood levels of testosterone.
These tools are essential in breaking up scar tissue that forms at injection sites. Scar tissue is rarely noticed or felt unless ignored for years.
Plus, HormoneMD recommends rolling your muscles to relieve muscle tightness and assist with post-workout recovery so that your muscles stay flexible, healthy, and supple anyway.
Our free assessment quantifies your symptoms to see if hormone therapy is right for you. We're here to help you feel the way you want to feel.