There are several effects that low testosterone can have on a person and their livelihood. If this is the case for you, testosterone shots may be good to start.
The good news about testosterone shots is that they only need to be administered for a few weeks at a time. Instead of having to use daily injections, quality testosterone shots allow for weeks of effects without having to change your daily routine.
We’ll be taking a look at answering these questions and many more. At CA Hormones, we pride ourselves on providing hormone programs and services in general. Start living your life to the fullest with the help of our professional team CA hormones.
What Does Low Testosterone Mean?
Before diving into the ins and outs of low testosterone, it’s important to know what testosterone exactly is. Testosterone is a hormone in the body that can be found in men and women alike.
While both genders have testosterone, it is typically associated more with men – specifically because as a hormone, testosterone is directly related to male sex organs. Branching off of that, low testosterone essentially means low male sex hormone levels.
As mentioned, women also have certain levels of testosterone, however, they only require smaller levels to function properly. The female sex organs are more associated with estrogen rather than testosterone (and vice versa). Since men require more testosterone to function, producing low levels of testosterone can cause problems.
Low testosterone can lead to low sperm levels and sex drive in general. This can be especially apparent after a person passes puberty. Not only this, but low testosterone can end up affecting a person’s:
- Muscle mass
- Bones
- How the body stores fat
- Red blood cell production.
This is why low testosterone should be addressed sooner rather than later. This is where CA Hormones come in.
Causes of Low Testosterone (Low-T)
After a man hits puberty, their testosterone greatly increases naturally. When a person hits their 30s, their testosterone levels begin to decrease naturally by around 1% every year. Because of this, a person’s age is related to their testosterone levels as they continue to grow (lower testosterone levels as they age).
While a person’s testosterone levels naturally decrease, there are other reasons why a man may suffer from extremely low testosterone levels. Trauma and injury to a person’s sex organs are two common reasons why a person may have overly low levels of testosterone.
Another common reason could be an infection in the testes. These are just some of the common reasons why a person may have abnormally low levels of testosterone in their body.
Other common reasons may also include:
- Dysfunction tumors of the pituitary gland
- Chemotherapy or other effects of cancer treatment
- Alcohol abuse
- HIV/AIDS
- Kidney Failure
- Cirrhosis (liver)
- Inflammatory disorders
- Acute illnesses
These are just some of the reasons why a person’s testosterone levels may be impacted further. Other reasons also include:
- Obesity
- Excessive estrogen
- Hypothyroidism
- Puberty delays
- Too much exposure to radiation
- Intense weight loss
Another common reason includes Klinefelter syndrome in men, this is a genetic condition that causes a person to be born with an XXY chromosome combination – this can be a direct cause of low testosterone levels.
Types of Testosterone
Several different types of testosterone are used during the hormone replacement process. There are several techniques and testosterone types that are used during the process.
Before we break down the process of testosterone shots and their role in the body, let’s break down the different types of testosterone and how long they last individually.
One major part of testosterone is esters. Esters are bonding chemicals that help make artificial testosterone work properly in the body. Esters have varying half-lives.
Propionate
Propionate testosterone lasts the shortest among other ester compounds. Propionate lasts for a maximum of 72 hours of injection. Testosterone is similar to estrogen in that it is metabolized quickly in the body but absorbs it poorly. After 15-16 days, propionate testosterone has left the body.
Due to the short period, propionate testosterone requires more work. Since that’s the case, this ester compound is considered to be more work-intensive, requiring daily injections to keep testosterone levels high.
Additionally, this type of testosterone can taper off after 2 days. This is why athletes and bodybuilders alike use propionate compounds. For muscle mass, propionate can be highly effective in the long term.
Cypionate
Testosterone cypionate is a long-lasting form of testosterone, among the ester compounds. Testosterone cypionate lasts long and hits hard as well. Because of this, cypionate is immediate and gives high testosterone injection results. Cypionate stays in the fatty tissue in the body and works as a direct intramuscular injection.
As far as time frame goes, cypionate effects kick in at the 2-day mark and can last around 12 or more days before leveling off (this can last for up to 21 days or so). It takes cypionate testosterone 44 days in total to leave the body fully (half-life is 22 days).
During testosterone replacement therapy, Cypionate testosterone gets administered every 8-10 days, depending on the person. This is one of the most popular and widely used testosterone types due to its menial time/effort and effectiveness in keeping testosterone levels high.
Enanthate
Enanthate testosterone can be found somewhere in the middle between cypionate and propionate. When using this form of testosterone, it tends to kick in between the 24 and 48-hour mark. The duration can last 4 days when it has reached the peak and can last for 10 days in total
As far as injection frequency goes, enanthate should be injected every 3 days, at maximum. Enanthate Testosterone compounds are detectable for around 22 days in the body.
BHRT
BHRT stands for bio-identical hormone replacement therapy and stands as a more complex yet effective method in testosterone treatment. When it comes to BHRT, hormones tend to have identical markers so they aren’t easily spotted in tests.
The duration of BHRT is based on a baseline hormone level, followed by where the baseline returns. To ensure effectiveness, hormones are tested regularly (saliva or blood) along with other tests.
BHRT is typically less intense than other types of testosterone. This is because it is more focused on consistent function rather than peak performance at a given time. This type of therapy usually uses testosterone injections on a bi-weekly basis/every two weeks. BHRT also allows double the duration of cypionate ester.
BRHT also has a benefit in that it can’t be detected when compared to natural testosterone production. BRHT provides a high level of testosterone to benefit you, this means that hypogonadism is not in the cards.
Changes in Testosterone Levels After Injection Graphs
The testosterone levels after an injection graph provide valuable information for men who are considering testosterone therapy. After receiving a testosterone injection, most men will experience an increase in their testosterone levels.
The overall testosterone levels after injection will be higher than baseline levels, but the exact magnitude of the increase will vary from person to person. In general, men with higher testosterone levels before the injection will see a greater increase after the injection.
Doses may need to be adjusted based on individual responses. Based on the testosterone levels after an injection graph, it is evident that testosterone levels are not increased linearly but follow a J-shaped curve. The overall testosterone levels after injection are still higher than baseline levels, but there is considerable variability in individual response.
Testosterone Shot FAQs
How Long Does Testosterone Stay in Your System?
To truly understand how long a testosterone shot lasts, it depends on the type of testosterone being used and the ester type. In total, the process takes up to 3-6 months for testosterone to successfully work and have long-lasting effects on a person.
When Does Testosterone Peak for Injections?
In most cases involving testosterone injections, the peak comes within 2 to 3 days after the injection. From then, the testosterone levels in a person’s body eventually decrease until a re-injection is required. As mentioned, the total process takes around 3-6 months to fully see the results on a longer-term basis.
How Often are Testosterone Shots Administered?
This is dependent on how long a person lasts after injecting testosterone. Time differences may vary but typically, testosterone injections last a few weeks at a time and are readministered every 2 to 3 weeks. Per month, a person can expect testosterone injections 1 to 2 times a month (this varies from case to case, however).
How Long Do the Effects of Testosterone Shots Last?
The length of testosterone injections relies on how long it takes certain injections to kick in. This can vary, but typically testosterone effects can last a few days after a person has received a shot.
CA Hormones is Ready to Help!
Testerone is a vital part of a person’s life, specifically for men. If you or a loved one is suffering from low testosterone levels, CA Hormones has got your back. Our qualified and experienced staff will make the process painless and effective. It’s time to get back to peak performance – give us a call and we’ll help you get started today!