Effect Of Testosterone: Your Testicles May Shrink
This is one of the most common side effects of testosterone replacement theory.
Normally, when your pituitary gland senses that there’s not enough testosterone in the bloodstream, it sends down a hormone called luteinizing hormone to signal your testicles to start producing more testosterone, and a hormone called follicle stimulating hormone to signal sperm production.
Why Testosterone Can Be Tricker To Inject
Testosterone can be tougher to inject than, say, insulin, because the hormone is held within an oil, either sesame or grapeseed. Because its thicker, you may need two needles: a low gauge for the vial of medicine and a higher gauge for your body. If you use a high gauge needle to extract the testosterone from the vial, its going to be a laborious process to get the medicine through that smaller bore.
When You Must Not Be Given It
Do not use Reandron if you have or are suspected to have:
- prostate cancer
- high blood calcium levels associated with tumours
- past or present liver tumours
Do not use Reandron if you are a woman.
Do not use Reandron if you have an allergy to:
- testosterone undecanoate
- any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
- shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
- rash, itching or hives on the skin.
It is not recommended to give this medicine to a child under the age of 18 years.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date printed on the carton and vial. The expiry date is printed on the carton and on each vial after EXP . The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. If it has expired return it to your pharmacist for disposal.
Do not use this medicine if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering. If the packaging is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.
If you are not sure whether you should start using this medicine, talk to your doctor.
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Performing A Testosterone Injection
Six: Inject The Testosterone
Before you inject, use an alcohol wipe to clean the injection site on your body. Rub the alcohol wipe in a circular motion outward from the injection site to ensure the area is clean. Your testosterone injection may be intramuscular or subcutaneous depending on your unique protocol. Continue reading to learn more about these types of injections and to get specific instructions for each.
If you are doing an intramuscular injection into the shoulder, feel for the acromion, or the bony point of the shoulder. Move two finger-widths down from the acromion to find your injection spot.
Hold the needle at a 90-degree angle, pierce the skin, and carefully inject the medicine.
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Before You Start To Use It
Reandron contains benzoate. Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Tell your doctor if you have, or have had, any of the following medical conditions:
- diabetes
- a bleeding disorder
- thrombophilia
- a tendency to retain fluid
- high blood pressure or if you are being treated for high blood pressure as testosterone may cause a rise in blood pressure
- epilepsy
- migraines
- sleep apnoea
If you are suffering from severe heart, liver or kidney disease, treatment with Reandron may cause severe complications in the form of water retention in your body and sometimes accompanied by heart failure. Please inform your doctor immediately if you notice any signs of water retention.
Reandron may increase the rate of progression of prostatic tumours including benign prostatic hypertrophy and/or prostate cancer. Before treatment, your doctor will conduct tests to ensure that you do not have prostate cancer.
People using testosterone replacement over long periods of time may develop an abnormal increase in the number of red blood cells in the blood . Your doctor may organise regular blood counts to monitor this.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you are given Reandron.
Athletes should note that the active substance testosterone undecanoate may produce a positive reaction in anti-doping tests.
Drug abuse and dependence:
Where Should I Keep My Medicine
Keep out of the reach of children. This medicine can be abused. Keep your medicine in a safe place to protect it from theft. Do not share this medicine with anyone. Selling or giving away this medicine is dangerous and against the law.
Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C . Do not freeze. Protect from light. Follow the directions for the product you are prescribed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.
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Effect Of Testosterone: In Rare Cases Your Breasts May Enlarge
In all menwhether youre taking T or notsome testosterone is converted into the hormone estradiol, a form of estrogen. And in men who have more breast tissue by nature, the T they’re taking that’s naturally converted into estradiol could stimulate this breast tissue to grow.
This is called gynecomastia, says Dr. Morgentaler, and it’s relatively uncommonhe says he doesn’t even see one case a year.
If this does happen, though, your doctor will likely stop treatment for a month or two to allow your breast tissue to go back to normal, and then start you back up with T along with a drug that blocks the conversion of testosterone to estradiol.
Dose And Method Of Administration
Reandron 1000 is injected every 10 to 14 weeks for testosterone replacement, where testosterone deficiency has been confirmed by clinical features and biochemical tests. Injections with this frequency are capable of maintaining sufficient testosterone levels and do not lead to accumulation.The injections must be administered very slowly. Care should be taken to inject Reandron 1000 deeply into the gluteal muscle following the usual precautions for intramuscular administration. Reandron 1000 is strictly for intramuscular injection. Special care must be taken to avoid intravenous injection and injections must not be given subcutaneously. See Instructions for use/ handling to avoid injury when opening.
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When To Call Your Health Care Provider
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Needle that breaks off in the injection site
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Problems that keep you from giving yourself the injection
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Bleeding at the injection site that wont stop
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Severe pain at the injection site
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Medication injected into the wrong area
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Rash or swelling at the injection site
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Shortness of breath
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Fever above;101.0°F
Seven: Discard The Needle And Syringe
Throw away the needle and syringe into a Sharps container. If you do not have a Sharps container, Defy patients can order one through Defy Medical, or you can use a hard-plastic container with a screw top. Just make sure the needles wont poke through the material of whatever container you use. ;
Dispose of all medical waste appropriately. If youre not sure how, you can contact your Primary Care physician or local pharmacy to learn your states requirements for disposing of needles and syringes.
Step Eight: Contact Defy Medical with any questions.
Have questions about how to inject testosterone? You can contact us at or by calling 813-445-7342.
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What Other Information Should I Know
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain tests to check your body’s response to testosterone injection.
Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are receiving testosterone injection.
Do not let anyone else use your testosterone enanthate injection . Testosterone is a controlled substance. Prescriptions may be refilled only a limited number of times; ask your pharmacist if you have any questions.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Before Taking This Medicine
You should not receive testosterone if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
-
prostate cancer;
-
if you are bedridden or otherwise debilitated; or
-
if you take a blood thinner .
This medicine can harm an unborn baby. Do not use testosterone if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Use effective birth control while you are receiving this medicine.
It is not known whether testosterone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.
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Some Side Effects Can Be Serious If You Experience Any Of These Symptoms Or Those Listed In The Important Warning Section Call Your Doctor Immediately:
- lower leg pain, swelling, warmth, or redness
- nausea or vomiting
- swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- difficulty breathing, especially during sleep
- erections that happen too often or that last too long
- difficulty urinating, weak urine flow, frequent urination, sudden need to urinate right away, blood in the urine
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- pain in the upper right part of the stomach
- mood changes including depression, anxiety, or becoming suicidal
Testosterone injection may cause a decrease in the number of sperm produced, especially if it is used at high doses. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication if you are a man and would like to have children.
Testosterone may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. Talk to your doctor about the risks of receiving this medication.
Testosterone injection may cause the bones to mature more quickly than normal in children who receive the medication. This means that the children may stop growing sooner than expected and may have a shorter than expected adult height.
Testosterone injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone .
Who Shouldn’t Take Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Men who have prostate cancer or breast cancer should not take testosterone replacement therapy. Nor should men who have severe urinary tract problems, untreated severe sleep apnea or uncontrolled heart failure. All men considering testosterone replacement therapy should undergo a thorough prostate cancer screening — a rectal exam and PSA test — prior to starting this therapy.
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Bone Density Body Composition And Muscle Strength
The bone mineral density of hypogonadal men decreases as testosterone levels decrease, potentially increasing the risk of fractures.25 Bioavailable testosterone and estrogen levels are more correlated with density changes than total testosterone. Testosterone replacement may stop bone loss and increase bone density14; however, many studies demonstrate equivocal results, and none have shown a decreased rate of fractures with testosterone therapy.15,16 Lean body mass increases consistently occur with testosterone treatment in healthy men; however, muscle strength does not significantly increase.15,17
Workouts Could Become Really Difficult
Wait, what? Isnt testosterone supposed to help your workouts? Dont you take testosterone injections for muscle building?
Yes, but there are two potential side effects of testosterone injections that can compromise your workouts; shortness of breath and chest pain.
Testosterone steroid injections have been shown to trigger;shortness of breath, especially during physical activity . Dont believe the research? No worries; check the forums. There are plenty of reports of sudden trouble with breathing that has put even the biggest bros on the sidelines.
Theres no denying that for some, like older guys with low-t issues, there are benefits to testosterone injections. However medical experts warn that patients must be watched for;chest pain, as this could be a sign of trouble. Often, this pain will spread to the neck, shoulders and arms; ensuring your workouts dont go further than a warm-up.
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What Side Effects May I Notice From Receiving This Medicine
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
- allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
- breast enlargement
- changes in emotions or moods
- deep or hoarse voice
- irregular menstrual periods
- signs and symptoms of liver injury like dark yellow or brown urine; general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms; light-colored stools; loss of appetite; nausea; right upper belly pain; unusually weak or tired; yellowing of the eyes or skin
- stomach pain
- hair loss
- headache
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What Should I Watch For While Using This Medicine
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. They will need to check the level of testosterone in your blood.
This medicine is only approved for use in men who have low levels of testosterone related to certain medical conditions. Heart attacks and strokes have been reported with the use of this medicine. Notify your doctor or health care professional and seek emergency treatment if you develop breathing problems; changes in vision; confusion; chest pain or chest tightness; sudden arm pain; severe, sudden headache; trouble speaking or understanding; sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg; loss of balance or coordination. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of this medicine.
This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check with your doctor or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.
Testosterone injections are not commonly used in women. Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information. Talk with your doctor or health care professional about your birth control options while taking this medicine.
This drug is banned from use in athletes by most athletic organizations.
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Talk With Your Doctor
All doctors can show you how to give a self injection; if you need some help, email us and well arrange for a live tutorial. Either will be able to help you troubleshoot issues or point out common errors and, with telehealth on the rise, a video chat with a medical professional to observe your first shot is increasingly common. That can help ease your mind through the ginormous mental jitters surrounding your first shot.
What May Interact With This Medicine
- medicines for diabetes
- propranolol
- steroid medicines like prednisone or cortisone
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
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Effect Of Testosterone: Your Mood Can Improve
Similar to its effects on energy, experts don’t have a definitive answer to why testosterone impacts mood so deeplyafter all, “the brain is a complicated thing,” says Dr. Tamlerbut they do see it as a potential life-changing benefit.
“In some ways, the impact on mood is one of the most profound benefits of T that we see,” says Dr. Morgentaler. “Not everybody has that, but when we see it, it’s remarkable. In my practice, patients will say, ‘Oh, my mood’s OK, maybe I just feel a little bit tired or blah.’ And they come back and they say things like, ‘I wake up in the morning and I’m optimistic about my day. I haven’t felt that way in years.'”
In fact, a 2012 study published in The Aging Male found that after 12 months of testosterone therapy, the percentages of guys with moderately severe to severe depression symptoms decreased from 17 percent to 2 percent.
And more recent research also backs that up: “The largest randomized control trial for T was just completed a year ago, called the T Trials, and it showed that men who received T had a greater improvement in mood than men who received placebo,” notes Dr. Morgentaler.