Testosterone Cypionate: Guide for At-Home Administration

Testosterone cypionate is an injectable medication used to treat the symptoms of hypogonadism (low testosterone, Low T) in men. Greenberg Health provides this guide for at-home administration to help men avoid the higher cost of regular visits to the hormone clinic. By following the testosterone cypionate how to use instructions below, it will be a simple task to self-administer your weekly shots.

The administration of testosterone cypionate is not difficult. Once you have a few injections under your belt, you will find that it takes only a few minutes once a week to improve your physical and emotional well-being. From increased energy to improved body composition, sharper brain functions to better sex, the many benefits of testosterone therapy are only an injection away.

Testosterone cypionate self-administered at home provides you with the privacy and confidentiality you seek. No one will see you entering or exiting a hormone clinic each week. Because your medications ship right to your home or office (you decide), there is no risk of running into someone at the pharmacy.

One of our doctors here at Greenberg Health will determine your testosterone cypionate dosage and administration frequency following your blood test and physical examination results review. Aside from this easy-to-follow guide, you will also receive complete instructions for how to use test cypionate and all supplies in your testosterone kit.

Our testosterone cypionate how to use guide simplifies the process of at-home administration of testosterone injections.

Why Doctors Prescribe Testosterone Cypionate

Doctors prescribe testosterone cypionate when a man presents with symptoms of testosterone deficiency. Whether due to primary (testicular) or secondary (hypothalamic or pituitary) causes, testosterone therapy provides superior results.

What is a testosterone cypionate injection used for in men?

As highlighted in our testosterone cypionate, how to use guide, testosterone injections help reverse symptoms associated with a decline in testosterone production. As a man ages, his testosterone levels naturally decrease. Most men have no problems with this change.

However, for those who do, the lack of testosterone to critical androgen receptors throughout the body and brain can lead to significant issues. The most common signs of Low T include:

Low libido
Fatigue
Erectile dysfunction
Muscle loss
Reduced strength
Decreased bone density
Joint pains
Stiffness
Forgetfulness
Reduced motivation and drive
Impaired cognitive functions
Hair thinning or loss
Anemia
High cholesterol
Depression
Mood swings
Anxiety or stress
Infertility

Although infertility is on the list of Low T symptoms, it is not treatable with a testosterone cypionate order. Exogenous testosterone may further lower sperm count as it cannot cross the blood/testes barrier. Please let your doctor know if you are trying to conceive with your partner, as other medications may be necessary to stimulate testicular testosterone production and spermatogenesis.

Intramuscular vs. Subcutaneous – How to Give a Testosterone Cypionate Injection

As we begin out testosterone cypionate how to use guide, the first thing to understand is how and where to give testosterone shots. Administration of any injection falls into one of three categories:

Intramuscular (IM)
Subcutaneous (SQ)
Intravenous (IV)

For testosterone cypionate, IM administration is the approved method for treating Low T. Do not inject testosterone into a vein (IV) as that can lead to significant health concerns. Testosterone cypionate is a slow-acting medication. Once administered into one of the body’s large muscles (thigh or buttocks), the medication slowly absorbs into the bloodstream over the course of a few weeks.

Because testosterone cypionate is a viscous medication, it requires IM and not SQ administration to ensure it goes deep into the muscle where it can be properly absorbed into the blood supply.

Preparation of a Testosterone Cypionate Injection

The first step in our testosterone cypionate how to use guide is the preparation of the injection. Upon receipt of your prescription for testosterone cypionate, how much to take will be detailed by the doctor. Your medication will come from the pharmacy with the dosage prescribed for your personalized treatment. Here are the steps to prepare your testosterone cypionate injection:

Prepare a clean table or countertop for the preparation
Gather your testosterone cypionate vial and supplies (alcohol swab, syringe, 18G and IM needles, and Sharps container) and place them on the prepared work surface
Wash your hands with antibacterial soap and water, then dry using a clean towel
Visibly check your testosterone medication to ensure that the color has not changed, there is no cloudy appearance, and no particles or crystals are in the vial – do not use if any of these are present
Also double-check the expiration date on the vial before each injection
Wipe the top (rubber stopper) of the testosterone cypionate vial with a new alcohol prep pad
Attach an 18 G needle to a new syringe and fill it with air equal to the amount of your testosterone dosage (pull back the syringe plunger to do this)
Push the needle through the sterilized rubber stopper and push the plunger in to force the air into the testosterone vial
Invert (turn upside down) the testosterone vial to allow the solution to cover the needle tip
Gently pull back the plunger to fill the syringe with the prescribed dosage of testosterone – we recommend going slightly past the mark to complete the next step
Next, check for air bubbles in the syringe and tap the side to move them towards the needle before gently pushing in the plunger to expel the bubbles back into the vial
Check to ensure that you have precisely the dosage of testosterone prescribed in the syringe
Remove the needle from the rubber stopper, replace the cap, and discard the 18 G needle in the Sharps container – DO NOT use this needle for the injection
Attach a new IM needle to the prepared syringe

In the next section, we will show you how to use testosterone cypionate for your weekly injection.

Administration of a Testosterone Cypionate Injection

The final steps in our testosterone cypionate how to use guide are crucial to follow. Remember that testosterone cypionate injection administration is intramuscular, and you should use either the buttocks or the thigh muscle for your shot. You will use the outer, fleshy part of the muscle for your injection. Here are the steps for administering your testosterone cypionate injection:

Take a new alcohol prep pad and clean your chosen injection site, allowing the skin to air dry
Uncap the needle and set the cap aside for after your injection
Insert the needle in a swift motion at a 90-degree angle into the prepared skin
IMPORTANT: check for blood in the syringe by pulling back the plunger just a little – if you see blood, that means you are in a blood vessel and cannot inject the medication (remove the needle and try again in another spot)
If no blood enters the needle, you can proceed with the injection by slowly pushing in the plunger (it will take time as the medication is thick) until all the testosterone leaves the syringe and enters the muscle
Once complete, pull the needle from the skin and replace the cap, discarding the entire unit in the Sharps container
Put away all your testosterone medication and supplies

If you have any questions about testosterone cypionate, how to inject, or what to expect from your treatment, please contact us here at Greenberg Health. Consultations are free and always confidential.