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Self-Inject Testosterone Instructions

Self-Inject Testosterone Instructions
19
Feb

Testosterone injections come in the form of isolated testosterone. It is a hormone that is found in both men and women. However, its levels are significantly greater in men. At present, testosterone injection therapy is gaining acceptability for American male wellness. However, it is important that before starting to take the injections, you should understand how to inject testosterone and the mistakes you should not make when doing so.

Testosterone Treatment in Males

Your doctor may have recommended testosterone injections if you have low testosterone levels. This occurs when the testicles produce insufficient amounts, and the condition is known as hypogonadism.

Having inadequate testosterone in your body can have several detrimental effects. These include decreased sperm count, reduced muscle or bone mass, accumulated body fat, and erectile dysfunction.

The normal total testosterone level in a healthy adult male’s blood ranges from 240 to 950 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dl). [1]

The purpose of testosterone therapy can include the following: [2]

  • Better sexual activity
  • Improved muscle strength and lean mass
  • Elevated mood
  • Enhanced cognitive activity
  • Probable lessening of osteoporosis [3]

How To Self-Inject Testosterone?

Testosterone injections are to be administered into the body through the intramuscular route.

You may pick one of the two ways:

  • At-home self-administration of the injections. This can be done with the help of a home injection kit for injecting testosterone into the thigh.
  • Get them injected into the buttocks muscle by a doctor at our clinic.

Your doctor will recommend the duration of your treatment. You may need follow-up visits after every week or a few months, and the treatments may be short-term or last longer according to your needs.

Self-Administered Testosterone Injection

Testosterone injections generally come as testosterone cypionate. Its concentration available is 100 mg/ml and 200 mg/ml. [4]

Steps to Injecting Testosterone:

  • Use a sterile needle and syringe. Use a needle with a thicker bore (20 or 21-gauge) as testosterone is thicker inconsistency.
  • Thoroughly wash your hands to prevent infection risk.
  • Draw the dose from the medication bottle. Draw some air into the syringe. Insert the needle into the bottle. Turn the bottle upside down. First, push all the air from the syringe into the bottle, then draw the medication as per your doctor’s recommended dose.
  • Withdraw the syringe out of the medication bottle with the required dose.
  • Uncap the syringe’s needle, point it upwards, and look for air bubbles. Tap the syringe and lightly press the plunger to remove the bubbles.
  • We usually recommend taking the testosterone shot in one of the three locations in the body.
    • Gluteal muscles in the buttocks
    • Thigh muscles.
    • Deltoid (upper arm)
  • Although self-administered testosterone injections can be taken elsewhere, these areas are the most common.
  • First, wipe the injection site with a sterile alcohol pad, and completely insert the needle at 90 degrees into the skin. Pull the plunger back slightly to make sure there is no blood. The needle is in a vein if blood is seen in the syringe. In this case, withdraw the syringe and insert it in another muscular spot. Press the plunger and inject the loaded medication when no blood is withdrawn.
  • After injecting, pull the syringe out and press on the injection site with a cotton swab to stop blood from oozing out and secure it with a Band-Aid.
  • Finally, make sure to dispose of the used needle and syringe appropriately. Store the medication at the recommended temperature. [5]

Mistakes to Avoid While Injecting Testosterone

Both doctors and patients make common mistakes when using testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). These include:

1. Using A Mode Of Testosterone Replacement That Doesn’t Match Your Needs

A lot of doctors prescribe a similar procedure for TRT for all patients. Some use only injectables, while others prescribe gels and creams. However, not all forms are suitable for every lifestyle. Some people are more comfortable with gels, while others can take injections. Even with injections, visiting the doctor’s office frequently might not suit everyone. These people need to learn self-administered testosterone injections.

Choose a doctor who is an experienced TRT practitioner and can prescribe you according to your personality and lifestyle needs. Not doing so might lead to poor compatibility with the therapy and unsatisfactory results.

2. Using Inadequate Dose.

Administering the right dose and its frequency is crucial for noticeable outcomes. What dose works for one individual may not show results for the other depending upon the different body types and sizes. Thus, it’s largely not a one-dose-fits-all. Your doctor should analyze what dose suits you and recommend it accordingly.

3. Cycling On And Off Testosterone.

Some people believe that testosterone should be taken in cycles. While this might be partly true with anabolic steroid users, it is not the case with TRT. When on TRT, your testicles reduce or stop producing testosterone. Stopping testosterone injections abruptly is not good news for American male wellness and bears several side effects. These include reduced or zero libidos, weight gain, and depression.

Hence, when in TRT, you should consistently stay in touch with a reliable and experienced doctor who tapers down the dose when the desired effects are achieved.

4. Poor Side Effects Management

The possible side effects of TRT are not very serious but need to be managed adequately. These effects include hair thinning, acne, irritability, or elevation in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or hematocrit levels.

Not managing these side effects would only trap you in another set of issues while looking to eliminate one. For example, inadequate monitoring of estrogen levels may lead to developing male breast tissue called gynecomastia, surplus body fat, and elusive mental changes. Thus, knowing how these adverse events are to be managed is essential.

Managing them may need adjustment of dosage, alteration of the delivery route, and/or administration of additional drugs or creams. Look for the most competent testosterone treatment in Las Vegas that can reap far-fetched results for your condition.

5. Other Mistakes

Furthermore, binge drinking, not exercising, and poor lifestyle habits are also some mistakes you should avoid with your testosterone therapy. Compliance and choosing the right doctor are the two crucial elements of TRT for a noticeable improvement in American male wellness.

Remember to Put Safety First!

It is also important to note that TRT only treats low testosterone symptoms but not the underlying cause. Also, not every man with reduced testosterone may need replacement. The FDA has only approved TRT for men having low testosterone because of testicle disorders, brain issues, or pituitary gland problems rather than age-related drops.

If you suspect low testosterone, opt for reliable testosterone treatment in Las Vegas for the correct diagnosis.

References:

  1. Murell D. Typical testosterone levels in males and females. Medical news today. Sept 2018. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323085#low-levels
  2. Hackett G. An update on the role of testosterone replacement therapy in managing hypogonadism. Ther Adv Urol. 2016;8(2):147-160. doi:10.1177/1756287215617648
  3. Spriggs B B. What to know about Osteoporosis. Medical news today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/155646
  4. Physicians Total Care. Testosterone Cypionate – Testosterone cypionate injection, solution. Physicians Total Care, Inc. Feb 2012. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=a34023dc-fc54-4f66-bab0-9596502c23a3&type=display
  5. Anonymous. Performing A Self-Administered Testosterone Injection. Tulane doctors urology. https://tulaneurologygardendistrict.com/dr-neil-baums-instructions-performing-self-administered-testosterone-injection/
  6. Bassil N, Alkaade S, Morley JE. The benefits and risks of testosterone replacement therapy: a review. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2009;5(3):427-448. doi:10.2147/tcrm.s3025
  7. Anonymous. FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA cautions about using testosterone products for low testosterone due to aging; requires labeling change to inform of possible increased risk of heart attack and stroke with use. The FDA. Feb 2018. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-drug-safety-communication-fda-cautions-about-using-testosterone-products-low-testosterone-due