Rebuild your baseline testosterone

How it works

Cypionate has a half-life of approximately 8 days, making weekly or twice-weekly dosing the clinical standard. Levels peak at around 24–48 hours post-injection and decline toward baseline by day 7. SubQ injections (insulin needle, abdomen or thigh) are growing in preference for ease and reduced injection discomfort.

Typical dosing

• Starting dose: 100–150mg/week
• Twice-weekly split (e.g. 70mg Mon + 70mg Thu) reduces peak-to-trough variance
• Maintenance range: 100–200mg/week based on follow-up labs

Price range

Generic testosterone cypionate is typically $20–40/month for medication only. All-in telehealth programmes (labs + consult + medication) run $129–200/month.

Key considerations

Gold standard for most US TRT providers — most studied, best understood. SubQ dosing is increasingly preferred by patients with the same clinical outcomes as IM and less discomfort. Peaks and troughs can cause mood fluctuation if dosed weekly — twice-weekly splits are smoother. Haematocrit (red blood cell) monitoring required.

How it works

Enanthate has a slightly shorter half-life than cypionate (~5–7 days). In practice the two esters are clinically interchangeable at equivalent doses. Some men report subjective preference for one over the other, but there is no RCT evidence of a meaningful pharmacological difference.

Typical dosing

100–200mg/week, typically split twice weekly. Slightly more frequent dosing may be preferred due to the shorter half-life.

Price range

Similar to cypionate — about $20–40/month for medication only. Less commonly offered by US telehealth platforms (cypionate is the default).

Key considerations

Clinically interchangeable with cypionate for most patients. Available if switching from a UK or European provider. Same monitoring requirements as cypionate (haematocrit, PSA, estradiol).

How it works

Because levels are delivered daily rather than in a weekly bolus, peak-to-trough variation is significantly lower — many men find this produces more stable mood and energy.

Typical dosing

• AndroGel 1.62%: 2–4 pumps daily (40.5–81mg testosterone)
• Compounded cream 10–20%: 0.5–1mL daily
• Apply to clean, dry skin; wash hands; avoid skin contact with others for several hours

Price range

Brand AndroGel ~$400–600/month before coupon; compounded testosterone cream ~$30–80/month. All-in programmes are typically $150–200/month.

Key considerations

Best option for men who cannot or prefer not to inject. More consistent daily levels compared to weekly injection — beneficial for mood stability. Gel/cream must dry before contact with women or children (transfer risk; cream format has lower transfer risk than gel). Lower peak testosterone than equivalent injection — may not achieve the same highs for athletic performance optimisation.

How it works

Pellets are implanted under the skin (typically in the upper buttock or hip) and dissolve slowly over 3–6 months. Levels are remarkably stable compared to injections.

Typical dosing

• Insertion every 3–6 months
• Typically 6–12 pellets per insertion depending on dose required
• Dose calculated based on weight, labs and symptom severity

Price range

$350–650 per insertion (typically every 4–5 months). Some providers include bloodwork; others charge separately.

Key considerations

No daily or weekly administration — the lowest maintenance option once established. Cannot adjust dose once implanted; if levels run too high, you wait for them to drop. Not widely available via telehealth — requires a clinic visit.

How it works

Half-life of approximately 21 days. The lowest-frequency injectable option. FDA-approved for TRT in the US (Aveed) but requires a clinician-administered IM injection — not self-injectable — due to risk of oil microembolism.

Typical dosing

• Loading: weeks 0 and 6
• Maintenance: every 10–14 weeks
• Each dose requires a clinic visit

Price range

Aveed: ~$1,200–1,800 per injection (often covered by insurance for diagnosed hypogonadism). Not widely available via telehealth — requires clinic administration.

Key considerations

Lowest injection frequency of any testosterone form. Requires clinic visits — not a home self-injection protocol. Fine-tuning is difficult due to the long half-life; less common in performance-optimisation contexts.

How it works

This preserves testicular size and fertility — making it the standard recommendation for men who want to conceive or preserve future fertility. Does not suppress the HPG axis like exogenous testosterone does.

Typical dosing

• Enclomiphene: 12.5–25mg/day
• Clomiphene (off-label TRT use): 25–50mg every other day

Price range

Compounded enclomiphene: ~$40–80/month. Clomiphene (generic Clomid): ~$20–50/month.

Key considerations

The fertility-preserving option — strongly recommended for men trying to conceive. Generally produces a moderate testosterone increase (to mid-normal range) rather than the higher peaks possible with cypionate. Not suitable as a primary TRT approach if testosterone production is very low (primary hypogonadism) — requires functioning testes.