Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) Includes different formulas made to boost or replace natural testosterone in people who don’t have enough. The main ingredient in TRT is synthetic or bioidentical testosterone, which acts like the natural hormone in the body. The composition depends on the delivery method to ensure the efficiency and safety of each patient.
Types of testosterone used in TRT
TRT uses different forms of testosterone, including:
- Testosterone Cypionate – A long-acting injectable form used a lot in TRT.
-
Testosterone Enanthate – Another long-acting injectable with similar effects to cypionate.
- Testosterone Propionate – A shorter-acting form requiring more frequent injecting
- Testosterone Undecanoate – Available in both oral and injectable forms, with longer-lasting effects.
- Bioidentical Testosterone – Made from plant sources like soy or yams and chemically adjusted to match human testosterone.
Each type is absorbed at a different rate and stays in the body for a certain time, which affects how often it needs to be given.
Common ingredients in TRT recipes
TRT formulas may have extra ingredients depending on how they are given:
- Injectable Testosterone: Typically dissolved in an oil base (such as cottonseed or sesame oil) to aid in slow absorption.
- Topical Gels & Creams: Contain testosterone mixed with carrier agents for skin absorption, often including ethanol or isopropyl alcohol.
- Patches: Use adhesives and penetration enhancers to deliver testosterone steadily through the skin.
- Pellets: Small, solid testosterone implants placed under the skin, getting into your body over time.
- Oral Testosterone: Combined a lot with fatty acids to improve bioavailability.
What Are Synthetic vs. Bioidentical Testosterone?
Synthetic testosterone is made in the laboratory and designed to function as natural testosterone.
- Synthetic Testosterone is lab-made and designed to function like natural testosterone. It is used a lot in prescription TRT options.
- Bioidentical Testosterone is chemically identical to human testosterone and taken from plant-based sources. Some patients prefer it for its natural origins, though its effectiveness is similar to synthetic versions.