Testosterone pellets, such as Testopel, are small. They measure 3 millimeters (mm) by 9 mm and contain crystalline testosterone. Implanted under the skin, they slowly release testosterone over the course of 3 to 6 months.
A short, simple procedure is performed in your doctor’s office to implant the pellets under the skin, usually near your hip.
These pellets are a long-acting form of testosterone therapy. They should deliver a stable, steady dose of testosterone, typically providing the needed level of hormone for 4 months.
Finding the right dose
It can take time to find the right dose for improving your symptoms of low testosterone. Too much testosterone can trigger dangerous side effects, including a rise in your red blood cell count (RBC). Research shows there are other risks for too much testosterone, too.
Finding the right dose may be a challenge for some people. You can work with your doctor to find the right dose for your body, which may also help you find the right method as well.
Highs and lows of testosterone dosing
Creams, gels, buccal tablets, nasal spray (natesto), underarm solution (axiron), and patches are all easy to self-administer, but they have to be done daily.
You also run the risk of accidentally exposing women and children to contact with excessive amounts of testosterone.
Injections can last longer and don’t present the contact problems these other methods do. However, irritation can occur at the injection site. You have to go to a healthcare provider or learn to inject yourself.
Some of the negative side effects of TRT are due to the highs and lows of testosterone dosage with conventional administration methods.
With testosterone injections in particular, testosterone levels can start off very high and then become very low before the next injection occurs. This can result in a rollercoaster-like series of changes in mood, sexual activity, and energy levels.
These high peaks of testosterone exposure can lead to testosterone being broken down and converted into estradiol, an estrogen. This excess estrogen can potentially lead to breast growth and tenderness.
Other side effects of TRT may include:
- sleep apnea
- acne
- low sperm count
- enlarged breasts
- testicle shrinkage
- increased RBC
Implantation of pellets
Implantation is a simple procedure that typically takes only 10 minutes.
The skin of the upper hip or buttocks is thoroughly cleaned, then injected with a local anesthetic to reduce discomfort. A small incision is made.
Tiny testosterone pellets are placed under the skin with an instrument called a trocar. Typically, 10 to 12 pellets are implanted during the procedure. The effects generally last around 4 months, after which the procedure will need to be repeated.
Potential drawbacks of pellets
Pellets do provide a long-term dosing solution for those with low testosterone, but there are drawbacks.
Occasional infections can occur, or the pellets can be “extruded” and come out of the skin. This is rare: Research reports 0.3%Trusted Source to 0.4%Trusted Source of cases result in infection, while approximately 0.3%Trusted Source to 1.1%Trusted Source of cases result in extrusion.
It’s also difficult to change the dose easily, because another surgical procedure is required to add pellets.
If you choose to use testosterone pellets, it may be a good idea to first use other forms of daily testosterone application, such as creams or patches, to establish the correct dose of testosterone for your body. Your doctor can help you with this.
Once you have an established dose where you can see the benefits without a rise in RBC or other negative effects, you’re a candidate for testosterone pellets.