From the Guidelines
The recommended dose of testosterone via intramuscular injection is 100-200 mg every 2 weeks or 50 mg weekly, as indicated by the most recent and highest quality study 1. When administering testosterone injections, it is crucial to consider the formulation, with testosterone enanthate and testosterone cypionate being common choices.
- The dosage supplied for these formulations is typically 200 mg/mL, with a typical dose range of 100-200 mg every 2 weeks or 50 mg weekly.
- The application site for intramuscular injections is usually the thighs for self-injection or the gluteal area when administered by another person.
- The advantages of long-acting injections include relatively low cost, flexible dosing, and no risk of transference, although they require intramuscular injection and can result in fluctuating serum testosterone levels. Key considerations for dosing include:
- Restoring testosterone levels to the normal physiological range of 300-1000 ng/dL, as indicated by regular blood tests to monitor levels and adjust dosing 1.
- Avoiding too high a dose, which can lead to side effects like acne or mood changes, and too low a dose, which may not adequately treat symptoms of low testosterone. It is essential to note that testosterone therapy is only suitable for men with clinically diagnosed hypogonadism, not for general "anti-aging" purposes, and treatment is typically lifelong, as the body's natural testosterone production often does not recover 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Prior to initiating Aveed, confirm the diagnosis of hypogonadism by ensuring that serum testosterone has been measured in the morning on at least two separate days and that these concentrations are below the normal range (2). For intramuscular use only (2.1). Three (3) mL (750 mg) is to be injected intramuscularly at initiation, at 4 weeks, and every 10 weeks thereafter (2.1). The dose of testosterone (intramuscular injection) is:
- 750 mg injected intramuscularly at initiation, at 4 weeks, and every 10 weeks thereafter 2
From the Research
Testosterone Dose Information
- The dose of testosterone via intramuscular injection can vary depending on the specific formulation and the individual's needs, as seen in studies 3, 4, 5.
- One study found that doses of 100-400 mg of testosterone enanthate every 1-4 weeks were effective in treating male hypogonadism, with 200 mg every 2 weeks and 300 mg every 3 weeks being the most effective regimens 4.
- Another study used a dose of 100 mg/week of testosterone cypionate for 6 weeks to treat late-life major depression in males, with some patients receiving a supraphysiologic dose of 200 mg/week 5.
- A more recent study used a subcutaneous testosterone enanthate auto-injector with doses of 50-100 mg weekly, with dose adjustments made based on total testosterone trough concentrations 6.
Specific Dosing Regimens
- 100 mg of testosterone enanthate once a week 4
- 200 mg of testosterone enanthate every 2 weeks 4
- 300 mg of testosterone enanthate every 3 weeks 4
- 400 mg of testosterone enanthate every 4 weeks 4
- 100 mg/week of testosterone cypionate 5
- 200 mg/week of testosterone cypionate 5
- 50-100 mg weekly of subcutaneous testosterone enanthate auto-injector 6