What is testosterone enanthate?

Testosterone Enanthate is another option for men being treated for hypogonadism or testosterone deficiency. This formulation of testosterone includes the testosterone molecule attached to a fatty acid ester called enanthate. This fatty acid ester slows its absorption into the blood stream, without this ester, the bio-identical testosterone would reach very high peak levels and only last in the body for mere hours before dropping down to baseline levels.

This guide will give you some background information on testosterone enanthate and show you when it is the right option to treat your hypogonadism or other condition that is causing low testosterone in your body. By the conclusion, you should have a good idea of whether testosterone enanthate injections might be a good treatment option for you.

Testosterone Enanthate has been marketed for over 40 years and was first introduced for medical use in 1954.  This ester can be used interchangeably with testosterone cypionate as the half-life of both esters are similar. It is wrongly assumed that testosterone enanthate along with testosterone cypionate, or other single esters of testosterone provide stable levels over multiple ester preparations such as Sustanon.

The weight of the ester can determine the amount testosterone available.

• Testosterone Enanthate 250mg has the equivalent of 180mg Testosterone
• By comparison Testosterone Sustanon 250 has the equivalent of 176mg Testosterone

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Testosterone enanthate injections

The testosterone enanthate preservative is benzyl benzoate or can be benzyl alcohol. Testosterone Enanthate is recommended to be injected extremely slowly according the package leaflet. It is also recommended that these ampoules are used for single dose only despite having a preservative.

Testosterone enanthate has been designed to gradually release from the depot of the injection site which is intended to be a deep intramuscular injection around 1-1.25” needle. The androgenic effect from enanthate is derived by the manufacturer as intense but from experience on the same level as cypionate.

In general all testosterone injections are equal once they cleave from their ester. The rate of the release and the excipients used as a preservative can affect its tolerability by the patient.  Allergies to the excipients such as arachis oil, or castor oil would preclude a patient from using such a preparation.

In Europe certain brands of testosterone enanthate do contain arachis oil which is a type of peanut based oil so it’s important to inform your doctor of any allergies should you be prescribed testosterone injections.

The oily solution that is testosterone enanthate should be injected immediately after suction into the syringe as is recommended by Norma who are one the manufacturers of testosterone enanthate. This means ensuring that you do not store any remaining contents of the ampoule in another syringe or in a separate vial.

Testosterone enanthate injection dosage

One injection of 250mg of testosterone enanthate should last from 2-4 weeks depending on the original hormone levels. In modern TRT practice this infrequent injection technique seems outdated and normally would be offered as a weekly injection of either half the amount 125 weekly or somewhere short of the full ampoule for dosing every 7-10 days.

For those that micro-dose, as in an injection more frequently than once per week, then smaller injections from 30mg to 60 mg twice per week are possible when a multi-dose preparation is available.

How to store testosterone enanthate

The ampoules are brown in colour and the leaflet is explicit that you need to keep the testosterone enanthate out of direct light and not to store it at temperatures above 25 degrees C.

Testosterone enanthate Xyosted®

A newer  testosterone enanthate on the market that does not contain a preservative is called Xyosted®. This is a recently FDA approved testosterone preparation designed for single use only. It is supplied in an autoinjector in the following doses:  50mg/0.5mL, 75mg/0.5ml, and 100mg/0.5ml without a preservative. The FDA(Food and Drug Administration) is the regulatory body for medicines in the United States. Xyosted® has not been approved or licenced for use in Europe or the UK as the manufacturer has not applied for a licence to market it with the appropriate medicines agencies.

As stated earlier most injectable testosterone preparations are made with preservatives which is ideal for multi-dose vials which unfortunately are not an option for most EU citizens. Typically the preservatives used in testosterone enanthate such as benzyl benzoate, or benzyl alcohol can be irritating not only to the bacteria but also to the surrounding tissues. The preservatives are used to slow the growth of bacteria or fungus but it does not guarantee sterility.

Injecting normal testosterone enanthate with a preservative may cause cellular damage to local tissues which could manifest itself in swelling, lumps , bruising, bumps, and itching at the injection site.

Following doses of 50mg to 100mg Xyosted® produced levels from 389 to 1410 ng/dl over a 7 day period. The subcutaneous rather than intramuscular injection seems to dampen any spikes or peaks with testosterone enanthate, but may have a slower onset as well as irritation at the injection site.

This drug is recommended once every 7 days but with the smaller sizes of 50mg some doctors may opt for more frequent dosing of twice per week of the 50mg size.

Where and how to get testosterone enanthate?

• Speak to one of our consultants about your health symptoms.
• Undergo a full testosterone blood test to check for health issues.
• Upon successful diagnosis of low testosterone we will offer you a variety of treatment options.
• Depending on your preference and what we think will work best for you we may prescribe you testosterone enanthate.
• Testosterone enanthate prescriptions will be issued and your health and testosterone levels will be monitored on an ongoing basis.
• Symptoms and prescribed treatment of testosterone enanthate will be monitored on an ongoing basis.

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What does testosterone enanthate do to your body?

As we have already touched on, testosterone is one of the most important elements of the function of a man’s body. When it is low, there are many negative things that can occur. Typically, low testosterone occurs as a natural part of aging. However, there are conditions that can cause a premature reduction of testosterone in the male body.

Testosterone enanthate is a solution to low testosterone for many men. It is designed to be a simple injection that can help to replace the testosterone that your body is having trouble producing. Testosterone is so effective because it goes right to the source and solves the problem from the origin.

When you take testosterone enanthate injections, you can expect many possible effects. Most are positive, but there is the potential for negative side effects, as well. The foremost effect that you will feel on your body is the benefit that comes from increased levels of testosterone in the body. However, you might also experience side effects that are unpleasant.

You should stay in communication with your medical professional to monitor these effects and ensure you stay on the right track.

What are the benefits of testosterone enanthate?

• Single ester of testosterone with very similar half-life to testosterone cypionate allowing stable levels.
• Some Testosterone enanthante formulations (some do contain arches oil) contain Castor Oil (in UK and European formulations) allowing peanut allergy suffers to have the option of testosterone enanthate instead of Sustanon (that contains arachis oil).
• In Europe Testosterone enanthate supply is more easily accessible through pharmacies making better continuity of supply
• Like Testosterone Cypionate, it does not have to be injected every day or every other day like propionate but can be injected at a frequency of 3-7 days.
• In Europe Testosterone Enanthate comes in single use ampoules which allows for lower infection risk in comparison to multi-dose vials.

How long does it take for testosterone enanthate to work?

If you are starting to take testosterone enanthate injections, you probably want them to work well right away so that you can enjoy the benefits of regular testosterone levels in the body. However, it is not a treatment that always works right away. There are times where this injection can take several weeks to start having an effect on how you feel.

The best thing that you can do when you start to take testosterone enanthate injections is have patience. Stay in communication with your doctor to ensure that your response to the injections is typical and there is nothing out of the ordinary. As long as you are able to do this, you should start to see regular, positive effects of testosterone enanthate injections in 3-6 weeks from the time that you start treatment.

If you believe that your testosterone treatments are not working fast enough or you are experiencing negative side effects, you should consult your medical professional for possible adjustments.

Is testosterone enanthate legal?

One of the most common concerns of those with active lifestyles is whether testosterone enanthate is legal. From a federal and state legal perspective, testosterone enanthate is perfectly legal to use as a treatment method for low testosterone and the related symptoms that come along with it.

However, if you are a competitive athlete that plans on competing in sports at a high level, the chances are that you will not be a candidate for testosterone enanthate injections. The reason is that testosterone injections, while meant to be a medical treatment for low testosterone, could also be used for performance-enhancing. Increased testosterone could increase muscle mass and endurance, which could clearly give an athlete a competitive edge in a professional sport.

For this reason, many governing bodies of the largest sports in the world have banned testosterone injections, even when used as a medical treatment for a condition. If you are a professional athlete, you are likely not a candidate for receiving testosterone enanthate injections as a treatment for low testosterone.

Side effects of testosterone enanthate

If you are considering testosterone enanthate as a treatment option for low testosterone, you should know about the potential side effects. Though severe side effects are typically very rare in this type of treatment, there are some minor side effects that you should be aware of and watch out for.

The first type of side effect that you might have while on testosterone enanthate is an allergic reaction. The symptoms of an allergic reaction include hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, throat, or tongue. If you are experiencing an allergic reaction, it could be the result of a chemical within the testosterone injection.

Additional potential side effects that you might experience while undergoing testosterone enanthate treatments include:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling in the ankles or feet
• Seizures
• Mood swings
• Increased frequency of erections
• Painful urination
• High levels of calcium
• High potassium

If you experience any of these side effects, you should consult your medical professional to inquire about the next steps and potential changes in dosage.

Which is the best testosterone?

If you are looking at testosterone injections as a possible treatment for low testosterone, you have probably wondered at one time or another, which is the best testosterone to use. There are several different types of testosterone injections that you can decide to use as a treatment method, and knowing which one is the best can be a difficult decision to make.

The type of testosterone that is best to address your low testosterone will very likely depend on your unique situation and other factors that contribute to your condition. Your doctor or medical professional will prescribe you a type of testosterone injection that is best suited for your low testosterone.

The factors that can affect your low testosterone are age, level of testosterone, activity level, and other factors. Ask your doctor or medical professional about which type of testosterone is best for you.

What precautions should you take with testosterone enanthate?

If you are going to use testosterone enanthate as a treatment for your low testosterone, there are certain precautions that you should take before you do so. With these precautions, you will be able to help protect yourself from any negative effects that could occur by using testosterone enanthate injections.

Before you decide on using testosterone enanthate, be sure to make your doctor aware of any allergies or other health conditions that you might have. Your doctor needs to know your medical history so that they don’t prescribe a treatment that could worsen a condition or create negative side effects.

Examples of medical conditions that you should make your doctor aware of include cancer, blood clots, heart disease, stroke, liver, kidney problems, high cholesterol, enlarged prostate, sleep apnea, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Be sure to diligently work with your doctor prior to treatment to make them aware of any ongoing health matters.

How to take testosterone enanthate

If you are curious about how to use testosterone enanthate, you should know that it is a very simple process. Testosterone enanthate is administered solely by injection, which is undoubtedly the most effective way to get testosterone in your bloodstream. With an injection, you can ensure that your testosterone takes a very fast effect and makes it easier for you to overcome the side effects of low testosterone.

Your doctor or medical professional will show you the details, but you should know that testosterone enanthate is very easily given with just an injection.

Two common places you can inject testosterone enanthate are illustrated below:

               

Image Source: Evolutionary

Testosterone enanthate dosages

We’ve outlined dosages in another blog post, check out our guidelines in the correct testosterone enanthate dosages for more information.

Testosterone enanthate costs UK

TRT treatment packages for testosterone enanthate costs between £70 and £113 per month, depending on the treatment options you go for, if you are interested in how to get testosterone enanthate then contact us.

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Conclusion

Overall Testosterone Enanthate is an option for some patients on testosterone therapy or TRT in the UK or TRT in Europe. New dosing formulations are available on the market in the USA, but unfortunately the market is not large enough and the regulatory environment too difficult for justification for new TRT options in Europe or TRT Treatment in the UK at the current time.

There is no major benefit of testosterone enanthate over testosterone cypionate unless you allergic to one of the excipients.

Balance My Hormones can help take the hassle out of procuring your testosterone enanthate prescription hormones through our one stop service model, get in touch if you need help diagnosing and treating/optimising your testosterone levels.