How Long Does it Take for Testosterone Injections to Work?
Testosterone therapy is not a quick fix that will end or reverse all symptoms of Low T overnight, but that does not mean that a man will have to wait months before he starts to notice positive improvements in his life. How quickly does testosterone injection work in the body is going to be subject to how each individual’s system responds to this supplementation.
The generalities presented in this report are a guideline of what to expect, but they are not etched in stone. Some men may experience certain results at a faster pace while others may find it takes a little longer to see positive changes. How quickly does testosterone therapy work for each man is also, in part, dependent on the steps taken to assist the process by making subtle changes in one’s lifestyle. Getting proper sleep, eating well, and exercising will all help improve the effectiveness of testosterone treatment.
It has been shown that most men asking how soon do testosterone injections work are anticipating tangible results they can see, whether in energy, muscle growth, reduction of stiffness and joint pains, or improved libido. The first result is not one that can be seen, but it is the most important as this is the body achieving balance with testosterone levels becoming normalized within a few days of the first injection.
Most men will start to notice significant changes within 4 to 6 weeks of beginning treatment with testosterone injections, but some may actually be felt and seen much earlier. The next section will feature a timeline of what to expect, and when – but please remember this is a generalization and each man’s results may differ.
Testosterone Injections Benefits Timeline
It helps to have a visual in terms of how quickly do testosterone injections work, and the timeline below best illustrates when many of the benefits of treatment for Low T will begin to be noticeable in one’s life.
How soon do testosterone injections work? Here is the testosterone benefits timeline:
Within a few days of beginning testosterone injections:
- Improved insulin sensitivity
3 weeks after treatment begins:
- Improved sex drive, sexual thoughts, fantasy, satisfaction, and libido
- Increase in morning erections and ejaculation
- Reduced anxiety, aggression, and improved sociability
- Better quality of life perceived
- Reduced inflammation in the body between weeks 3 and 12
4 weeks after the start of testosterone injections:
- Improved lipid profile – decrease in triglycerides and total cholesterol
- Increase in full erections and sexual performance
6 weeks after beginning treatment for Low T
- Improved mood
- Decreased depression
3 months (12 weeks) from onset of testosterone treatment:
- Better glycemic control 3 – 12 months
- Improved erythropoiesis – formation of red blood cells
- Decline in blood pressure 3 – 9 months
- Increased exercise capacity is shown in men with chronic heart failure
- Decrease in LDL cholesterol and increase in HDL cholesterol 3 – 12 months
- Noticeable change in lean body mass, fat mass, and muscle strength by month 3 – 4
6 months into treatment with testosterone:
- Increased bone density
- Rise in PSA levels
12-month benefit:
- prostate-specific antigen and volume rise
What to Expect From Testosterone Injections after One Year
By the end of the first year of treatment for Low T, this is what to expect from testosterone injections:
- Peak effects of erythropoiesis – red blood cell formation
- Improved glycemic control
- Stabilized muscle strengthening
- Stronger bones
- Brighter, happier mood and outlook
- Better sex
- Improved lean body mass – reduced fat
- Deeper sleep
- Sharper brain functions
- Plateauing of prostate-specific antigen and volume
- Improved appearance
- Lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels
- Increased exercise capacity
These testosterone injections results can be truly life-changing for someone who experienced debilitating symptoms associated with Low T.
How Fast Does Testosterone Pills Start to Work
Testosterone pills are rarely recommended for two reasons:
- The first place testosterone pills go is to the stomach, where the digestive enzymes begin to tear apart the medicinal properties of testosterone
- The balance of testosterone pills winds up in the liver, where toxicity can build up and cause health problems
For that reason, we cannot answer how long for testosterone pills to work since that is not a treatment we recommend or prescribe.
How Fast Does Testosterone Gel Start To Work
We know that most are eager to see and feel positive changes, which is why the question – when will I see results from testosterone – is the most frequently asked.
Those males who choose not to use injections often opt for testosterone gel or patches. The timeline for the patch or gel to work is roughly the same as with the testosterone cypionate results timeline. The benefits may come a bit slower because unlike testosterone injections where the entire dosage is readily absorbed into the bloodstream, there is no way of knowing how much testosterone is absorbed through the skin.
Regarding when does testosterone kick in, the initial benefits of improved sex drive, better perception of quality of life, and reduced anxiety will most likely still occur during the first month – just perhaps not to the same degree. Some men do feel effects of testosterone quicker with the gel or the patch. There is no way of knowing this until treatment begins. Each person’s body processes the various forms of testosterone in a unique way.
National HRT Staff
Please note that the information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.
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