anabolic steroid hormone in the body of men and women. Normal levels of total blood testosterone for men are about 10 to 12 times as much as for women. The Merck Index tells us that a typical normal total testosterone scale for men from most labs is generally between about 300 ng per dL (nanograms per deciliter) and 1000 ng per dL. For women it usually is between 25 and 90 ng per dL. The normal range from most labs for the subset of blood testosterone that is considered to be the most biologically active, called free testosterone, generally ranges between 3.06 and 24 ng per dL for men. For women, the range is generally between .09 and 1.28 ng per dL. It is called free because it is not bound to blood carrier proteins, so it is free to diffuse readily into cells, where it signals the cells to adjust their activity. It is important to note that testosterone production in the body declines with age and with the progression of several diseases, including HIV.
Frequency of Administration Testosterone (Once per Week)
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While we have seen directions for administration of both forms of testosterone tell doctors that administration should be as infrequent as every two or three weeks, studies of the pharmacokinetics of these drugs show that this is inappropriate if the most consistent bloodlevels of the drugs are desired. We should note that we constantly hear people complain of a large decrease in energy, libido, clarity of thought, and mood by the time the two or moreweek administration occurs. One study stated that 140 mg of testosterone cypionate and testosterone enanthate produced similar blood levels after injection, and stated that heightened blood levels decreased to basal levels by day ten. This means that the amount of testosterone in the blood was equal to what was there before the drug was administered. 27 With higher doses the duration appears to increase a little with another study stating that with an injection of 200 mg of testosterone cypionate blood levels declined to basal levels by days 13 to 14. 28
The two equivalent forms of injectable testosterone we recommend are the oil-based products, testosterone enanthate or testosterone cypionate. Testosterone enanthate is sold in the U.S. as a trade-name product Delatestryl. Testosterone cypionate is sold as a trade-name product Depo-Testosterone. These products come in various 1 mL, 5 mL, and 10 mL vials that contain 200 mg per mL (milliliter). The most economical version is the generic 10 mL multiple dose vial. Prices have varied considerably in recent years, but they are not high compared to many other medications, such as the anti-viral drugs used for HIV.
Looking at the following chart, it is easy to see why a person would feel a large decline in energy, libido, stamina, mood, and overall quality-of-life with two-or-more-week dosing, so we urge the physician to consider adjusting dosing strategies. We believe that the patient will experience the greatest quality-of-life improvements when the cypionate and enanthate esters of testosterone are administered once every seven days.
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