Thread: Testopel® Pellets ( testosterone replacement therapy) TRT profile

Description:
Testopel® is a testosterone delivery system comprised of

small cylindrical pellets of pressed testosterone. The pellets
are sterile, and are comprised almost purely of testosterone,

barring a small amount of added binders for stability. These

pellets are implanted subcutaneously, and provide the patient
a continuous and very even release of hormone for several
months. Testosterone pellets have the advantage of allowing
the patient to not think about their hormone replacement
therapy on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis as with many
other hormone delivery systems, and provide a much more
even release of hormone (less highs and lows) than popular
injections. Testosterone implant pellets, however, have the
disadvantage of requiring that the patient undergo minor
office surgery twice to several times per year.
History:
Soon after the oral delivery of testosterone was deemed
impractical due to rapid first pass metabolism, it was
realized that pressed pellets of surgically implanted sterile
testosterone could provide physiological androgen levels for
extended periods of time to patients in need of such therapy.
Implanted testosterone pellets were accepted very early as
viable options for delivering testosterone, and various such
commercial preparations have been introduced and
prescribed over the years (although historically injectable
esters and suspensions of testosterone have been the norm in
this field of medicine).
Currently, Bartor Pharmacal produces the only commercially
available brand of testosterone pellet in the U.S., sold as
Testopel. Each pellet contains 75 mg of (free) testosterone. It
is FDA-approved for use in adult males with conditions
associated with a deficiency or absence of endogenous
testosterone. This includes cases of primary hypogonadism
caused by cryptorchidism, bilateral torsion, orchitis,
vanishing testis syndrome, orchiectomy, Kline
syndrome, chemotherapy, or alcohol/heavy metal toxicity. It
is also prescribed to treat hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism
caused by tumors, injury, or radiation. FDA laws also allow
certain private compounding pharmacies to manufacture
generic testosterone implant pellet preparations.
Testosterone implant pellets are not commonly made outside
the U.S., but can be located in certain markets.
How Supplied:
Testosterone implant pellets are available in select human
drug markets. Composition and dosage may vary by country
or manufacturer, but generally contain approximately 98.5%
pure testosterone (along with some inert binders) in a small
cylindrical pressed pellet.
Structural Characteristics:
Sterile testosterone pellets for implantation contain (free)
testosterone in a pressed pellet. The pellets are implanted
subcutaneously with a minor surgical procedure, and slowly
dissolve over time, releasing testosterone into the blood.
Testosterone pellets are designed to provide testosterone for
approximately 4-6 months following implantation.
Side Effects (Estrogenic):
Testosterone is readily aromatized in the body to estradiol
(estrogen). The aromatase (estrogen synthetase) enzyme is
responsible for this metabolism of testosterone. Elevated
estrogen levels can cause side effects such as increased
water retention, body fat gain, and gynecomastia.
Testosterone is considered a moderately estrogenic steroid.
Exceeding therapeutic doses will increase the likelihood of
estrogenic side effects. In such cases, an anti-estrogen such
as clomiphene citrate or tamoxifen citrate is commonly
applied to prevent estrogenic side effects. One may
alternately use an aromatase inhibitor like Arimidex®
(anastrozole), which more efficiently controls estrogen by
preventing its synthesis. Aromatase inhibitors can be quite
expensive in comparison to anti-estrogens, however, and
may also have negative effects on blood lipids.
Side Effects (Androgenic):
Testosterone is the primary male androgen, responsible for
maintaining secondary male sexual characteristics.
Exceeding normal therapeutic doses is likely to produce
androgenic side effects including oily skin, acne, and
body/facial hair growth. Men with a genetic predisposition
for hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) may notice accelerated
male pattern balding. Women are warned of the potential
virilizing effects of anabolic/androgenic steroids, especially
with a strong androgen such as testosterone. These may
include deepening of the voice, menstrual irregularities,
changes in skin texture, facial hair growth, and clitoral
enlargement.
In androgen-responsive target tissues such as the skin, scalp,
and prostate, the high relative androgenicity of testosterone is
dependant on its reduction to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
The 5-alpha reductase enzyme is responsible for this
metabolism of testosterone. The concurrent use of a 5-alpha
reductase inhibitor such as finasteride or dutasteride will
interfere with site-specific potentiation of testosterone
action, lowering the tendency of testosterone drugs to
produce androgenic side effects. It is important to remember
that anabolic and androgenic effects are both mediated via
the cytosolic androgen receptor. Complete separation of
testosterone’s anabolic and androgenic properties is not
possible, even with total 5-alpha reductase inhibition.
Side Effects (Hepatotoxicity):
Testosterone does not have hepatotoxic effects; liver toxicity
is unlikely. One study examined the potential for
hepatotoxicity with high doses of testosterone by
administering 400 mg of the hormone per day (2,800 mg per
week) to a group of male subjects. The steroid was taken
orally so that higher peak concentrations would be reached in
hepatic tissues compared to intramuscular injections. The
hormone was given daily for 20 days, and produced no
significant changes in liver enzyme values including serum
albumin, bilirubin, alanine-amino-transferase, and alkaline
phosphatases.600
Side Effects (Cardiovascular):
Anabolic/androgenic steroids can have deleterious effects on
serum cholesterol. This includes a tendency to reduce HDL
(good) cholesterol values and increase LDL (bad)
cholesterol values, which may shift the HDL to LDL balance
in a direction that favors greater risk of arteriosclerosis. The
relative impact of an anabolic/androgenic steroid on serum
lipids is dependant on the dose, route of administration (oral
vs. injectable), type of steroid (aromatizable or nonaromatizable),
and level of resistance to hepatic metabolism.
Anabolic/androgenic steroids may also adversely affect
blood pressure and triglycerides, reduce endothelial
relaxation, and support left ventricular hypertrophy, all
potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and
myocardial infarction. Therapeutic doses of testosterone
used to correct insufficient androgen production in otherwise
healthy aging men are unlikely to increase atherogenic risk,
and may actually reduce the risk of cardiovascular
mortality.601
To help reduce cardiovascular strain it is advised to
maintain an active cardiovascular exercise program and
minimize the intake of saturated fats, cholesterol, and simple
carbohydrates at all times during active AAS administration.
Supplementing with fish oils (4 grams per day) and a natural
cholesterol/antioxidant formula such as Lipid Stabil or a
product with comparable ingredients is also recommended.
Side Effects (Testosterone Suppression):
All anabolic/androgenic steroids when taken in doses
sufficient to promote muscle gain are expected to suppress
endogenous testosterone production. Testosterone is the
primary male androgen, and offers strong negative feedback
on endogenous testosterone production. Testosterone-based
drugs will, likewise, have a strong effect on the hypothalamic
regulation of natural steroid hormones. Without the
intervention of testosterone-stimulating substances,
testosterone levels should return to normal within 1-4 months
of the drug leaving the body. Note that prolonged
hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism can develop secondary to
steroid abuse, necessitating medical intervention.
Administration (General):
Sterile testosterone pellets are implanted subdermally in the
lower abdominal wall. Prior to insertion, the skin is cleaned
with alcohol and draped with a 2% xylocaine solution. A 2-
cm incision is made through anaesthetized skin, and the
pellets administered with the aid of a cannula. The incision
site is covered with a sterile Band-Aid and a waterproof
dressing for 1 week, and should not require stitching.
Administration (Men):
To treat androgen insufficiency, the prescribing guidelines
for Testopel recommend implanting a row of 4-6 pellets
(300-450 mg of testosterone) once every 4-6 months. For
physique- or performance-enhancing purposes, higher doses
would be necessary to achieve supraphysiological levels of
testosterone. This would be in the range of 12-18 pellets per
application, which is not highly practical given the higher
volume and surgical requirements for implantation.
Administration (Women):
Testopel is not FDA-approved for use in women.
Testosterone implant pellets are not recommended for
women for physique- or performance-enhancing purposes
due to their strong androgenic nature, tendency to produce
virilizing side effects, and very slow-acting characteristics.
Availability:
Due to the relative impracticality of general private use,
Testopel is not commonly traded on the black market


By WL

yeah not something i'l ever do. but nice post bro

I would do it if the pellets were stronger in strength/dosage! Fuck yeah I would do it, hell i was gonna use a Fina Pellet gun once upon a time and shoot myself with finaplix pellets like they do to cattle lol, ok , i never really was going to do that, but i really would take an implant if i knew it was strong and evenly dosed!

Fuck yeah I would do it!

Fina pallet that's insane bro lol

i have a freind that did implant, he hated it, now only oil,plus he has a bunch or 1 inch lines on his ass,lol