Testosterone cypionate is an injectable form of the hormone testosterone. It is often prescribed to treat low testosterone levels in men and rarely to improve athletic performance or body composition.
What is testosterone cypionate?
Testosterone cypionate is a synthetic version of the naturally-occurring hormone testosterone. When injected into the body, it can help raise testosterone levels back into the normal range for men. Some key points about testosterone cypionate include:
- Testosterone is crucial for male health, contributing to muscle growth, bone density, fat distribution, sex drive, energy levels, and more.
- Cypionate refers to the cypionate ester attached to the testosterone, which controls the hormone's release rate once injected.
- It is suspended in cottonseed oil and must be injected intramuscularly, usually every 1-2 weeks.
- Testosterone cypionate is similar to other injectable testosterone formulations like testosterone enanthate. The main difference is the attached ester.
Why prescribe testosterone cypionate?
Doctors may prescribe testosterone cypionate replacement therapy for men with clinically low testosterone levels aka
hypogonadism. Some reasons for low testosterone include:
- Age-related decline - In men over 30, testosterone may slowly decrease by 1% per year.
- Damage/disease in the testes - From things like injury, infection, or genetic conditions.
- Pituitary gland issues - The pituitary signals the testes to produce testosterone.
- Medications - E.g. opioids, steroids, some anti-inflammatories.
If low testosterone causes bothersome
symptoms like fatigue, weakness, depression, erectile dysfunction, and
low libido, testosterone cypionate can likely help normalize levels.
At Hormone Harmony Clinic, we specialize in accurately diagnosing hypogonadism and skillfully administering customized
testosterone replacement therapy using bioidentical hormones like testosterone cypionate to help men optimize their vitality and performance.
Is testosterone cypionate safe?
When used properly under medical supervision, testosterone cypionate is generally safe for hypogonadal men. However, some potential side effects can include:
- Acne or oily skin
- Breast enlargement if too much testosterone converts to estrogen
- Swelling, pain, or redness at injection site
- Sleep apnea exacerbation
- Stimulation of benign or malignant prostate growth
Hormone Harmony Clinic minimizes risks by requiring comprehensive lab testing, medical exams, and follow-ups in addition to expertly adjusting doses to meet patient's unique hormonal needs.
In summary, testosterone cypionate is an injected synthetic form of testosterone which can effectively and safely treat clinically-diagnosed low testosterone levels in men when properly dosed and monitored by a knowledgeable hormone therapy specialist like ours. Let us know if we can answer any other questions!