What are Testosterone Pellet Implants and how do they help?

Testosterone pellet implants are a type of hormonal therapy that involves placing testosterone pellets under the skin. These subdermal implants release physiologic testosterone doses and help combat testosterone deficiency.

Testosterone performs many roles in the human body. In men, it controls bone mass, muscle mass, libido, sperm production, to name a few. Although it isn’t a primary hormone in women, it still helps with growth, reproduction, and general health.

Despite its importance, testosterone levels in the body begin to drop as people age. A report published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice estimates that 20-40% of older men suffer from hypogonadism.

But how do you know you have low testosterone levels? According to the American Urological Association, anyone with less than 300 ng/dl of testosterone suffers from low T.

Some signs of low T levels include:

• Lower sex drive
• Difficulty sustaining an erection
• Low energy and fatigue
• Depression
• Increased body fat
• Declining bone and muscle mass

Several treatment modalities for T-deficiency exist. Some individuals opt for hormone injections, creams, gels, pellets, or patches.

Of all these options, pellets are an ideal way of replenishing low testosterone levels. They are superior due to their long duration of action and release kinetics.

What are Testosterone Pellet Implants?

Testosterone pellets are tiny, FDA-approved crystalline pellets that provide a steady supply of testosterone for 3-6 months.

These pellets contain bioidentical hormones that help boost testosterone levels in men and women.

The active ingredient in this androgen is testosterone (about 75mg), while other components include stearic acid and polyvinylpyrrolidone.

Pellet implants aren’t a novel treatment modality. Hormone replacement therapy has been around since 1930.

Unlike other methods, pellet implants deliver a consistent, physiologic level of testosterone. Their long duration of action is ideal for busy individuals who lack time to visit hospitals for hormone injections.

Pellets don’t suffer from drug concentration imbalance which is common in injections. Unlike patches and gels, you don’t have to worry about exposing testosterone to family members or other individuals.

Testopel pellets best suit the following conditions.

• Hypogonadism – both primary and hypogonadotropic
• Gender dysphoria in an individual who needs hormone therapy
• Delayed male puberty
• Pain management in women
• Male menopause

Procedure for Testosterone Pellet Insertion

Pellet implantation is a simple, painless process that takes a few minutes. That said, only trained providers should administer the implant.

Pellet insertion usually occurs in the upper hip area. Although it isn’t painful, this procedure is done under local anesthesia. 1 cc lidocaine should be sufficient.

Your doctor will make a tiny incision around your hip area, then place the testosterone pellet. These incisions are so small that they don’t require stitches. Skin glue or Steri-Strips will effectively cover the affected area.

Finding the Correct Dosage

The proper testosterone dosage varies from one individual to the other. In general, the dosage is 150 mg to 450 mg of subcutaneous pellets every three to six months. These implants release about 1.3 mg of testosterone to the body each day.

Factors such as age and drug response can significantly affect the dosage regimen. Hypogonadal males may need higher pellet dosages to kick start pubertal changes. Afterward, doctors may administer lower doses to maintain testosterone levels.

Implantation of 600-800 mg pellets may be necessary to achieve peak testosterone levels in older men.

The minimum daily dosage dictates the number of testosterone pellet implants. 3-6 pellets should be enough for most people. However, you’ll need to work with your doctor closely to determine the correct pellet dose your body requires.

The response time of pellet therapy varies, depending on the individual. Most people show a response within 2-3 days, while others take up to two weeks. Factors that may affect the action of testosterone pellets include:

• Stress
• Diet
• Lifestyle
• Body mass index (BMI)

Why Pellet Therapy?

Testosterone pellets are simple to insert, cost-effective, and beneficial to men and women.

According to a 2012 pilot study, subcutaneous testosterone implants can help alleviate migraines in pre and post-menopausal patients. The study subjected 27 women with a history of migraines to testosterone pellet therapy. After three months, 92% of the women noted an improvement in their migraine headaches.

T implants can help ease menopausal symptoms like sleep issues, hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, and irritability. Unlike other hormone replacement therapies, pellet implants do not increase the risk of breast cancer when combating menopausal issues.

Another study found that long-term pellet implants enhance bone mass accumulation. This therapy also ensures the body maintains normal bone mineral density.

Subcutaneous T therapy is known to reduce fat and increase muscles in patients. Of course, you need to combine this therapy with workout sessions to achieve the best results.

Pellet implants can improve erectile function and libido in men. It does so by increasing testosterone to normal levels. Some studies show that testosterone replacement therapy also enhances women’s libido.

More benefits of this therapy include:

• Improved sleep quality
• Increased energy
• Improved mood
• Better spatial ability
• Improved verbal memory
• Relieved anxiety and depression
• Decreased risk of Alzheimer’s disease

Side Effects

Testosterone pellet insertion is a low-risk procedure. Only a tiny percentage of patients report transient discomfort, infection, and bleeding. It’s rare for the pellet to extrude from the skin.

According to a 2013 study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, over 70% of patients that undergo testosterone implants are satisfied. Currently, there is no documentation of post-insertion side effects.

Many misconceptions on the side effects of T pellet implants exist. Most of these misconceptions lack scientific backing or proof of adverse side effects.

Potential Risks

The FDA cautions against an increased risk of heart attacks and stroke from testosterone use. However, there are no studies or patient reports associated with the mentioned risks.

According to the American College of Cardiology, studies have failed to correlate testosterone therapy with cardiovascular risk. A recent study in the American Heart Association Journal could not link testosterone treatment with cardiovascular issues.

There is no evidence that T pellet implants cause prostate cancer.

Parting Shot

Don’t let low testosterone levels reduce the quality of your life. Get testosterone pellet implants today! These implants are safe, simple to insert, and long-acting.