Testosterone therapy is not a quick fix that will end or reverse all symptoms of low testosterone overnight, but that does not mean that you'll have to wait months to notice positive improvements in your life. So how long will you have to wait to see results?
When You'll See Effects After Testosterone Injections
How quickly testosterone injections work in the body is going to be subject to how each individual’s system responds to the hormone. However, there is a timeline that can help you understand what's happening during treatment and when you might start to notice a change. We'll cover that as well as when you'll see effects on certain issues.
Libido: 3 Weeks
With testosterone replacement therapy, effects on sexual interest appear after three weeks and plateau at six weeks, with no further increments expected beyond. Changes in erections/ejaculations may require up to 6 months of testosterone replacement therapy. Effects on quality of life manifest within 3-4 weeks, but maximum benefits take longer.
Mood: 3-6 Weeks
Effects on depressive mood become detectable after 3-6 weeks with a maximum after 18-30 weeks. Effects on erythropoiesis (the process by which red blood cells are produced) are evident at three months, peaking at 9-12 months. Prostate-specific antigen and volume rise and plateau at 12 months; further increase should be related to aging rather than testosterone replacement therapy. Effects on lipids appear after four weeks, maximal after 6-12 months.
Insulin: A Few Days
Insulin sensitivity may improve within few days, but effects on glycemic control become evident only after 3-12 months. Changes in fat mass, lean body mass, and muscle strength occur within 12-16 weeks, stabilize at 6-12 months, but can marginally continue over the years. Effects on inflammation occur within 3-12 weeks. Effects on bone are detectable already after six months while continuing for at least for three years. Read the full study here.
These results show that while the effectiveness time with testosterone replacement therapy varies from symptom to symptom, it does take only a short time to see improvements compared to dealing with the effects of low testosterone for a lifetime.
Related: See the signs & symptoms of low testosterone.
Testosterone injections Results Vary from Person to Person
Most individuals will start to notice significant changes within 4 to 6 weeks of beginning treatment with testosterone injections, but some changes 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 person’s results may differ.
The information highlighted in this article is a guideline of what to expect but is not set in stone. Some people may experience certain results at a faster pace while others may find it takes a little longer to see positive changes. How quickly testosterone therapy works for each person 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.
Most patients asking how soon 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.
Related: Did you know women need testosterone, too?
Testosterone Injection TIMELINE
It helps to have a visual in terms of how quickly testosterone injections start to kick in. The timeline below best illustrates when many of the benefits of treatment for low testosterone levels will begin to be noticeable in one’s life.
Within a few days of beginning testosterone injections:
- Improved insulin sensitivity
3 weeks after treatment begins:
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Improved sex drive, sexual thoughts, fantasy, satisfaction, and libido
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Increase in morning erections in men
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Reduced anxiety, aggression, and improved sociability
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Better perceived quality of life
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Reduced inflammation in the body between 3 and 12 weeks
4 weeks after the start of testosterone injections:
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Improved lipid profile – decrease in triglycerides and total cholesterol
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Increase in full erections and sexual performance in men and women
6 weeks after beginning treatment for low testosterone:
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Improved mood
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Decreased depression symptoms
3 months (12 weeks) from the start of testosterone treatment:
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Better glycemic control (3 – 12 months)
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Improved erythropoiesis – formation of red blood cells
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A decline in blood pressure (3 – 9 months)
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Increased exercise capacity is shown in men with chronic heart failure
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Decrease in LDL cholesterol and increase in HDL cholesterol (3 – 12 months)
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Noticeable change in lean body mass, fat mass, and muscle strength by months 3 through 4
6 months into treatment with testosterone:
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Increased bone density
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Possible rise in PSA levels in men
12-month benefits:
- Possible prostate-specific antigen and volume rise
WHAT To EXPECT AFTER ONE YEAR OF testosterone injection TREATMENT
By the end of the first year of treatment for low testosterone, here 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
The results of testosterone injections can be truly life-changing for someone who experienced debilitating symptoms associated with low testosterone.
Do You oFfer Testosterone Pills?
Testosterone pills are rarely recommended for two reasons:
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Testosterone pills go to the stomach, where the digestive enzymes begin to tear apart the medicinal properties of testosterone.
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The balance of testosterone pills winds up in the liver, where toxicity can build up and cause health problems.
For these reasons, it isn’t a treatment we recommend.
HOW FAST DOES TESTOSTERONE GEL/CREAM 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 patients who choose not to use injections tend to opt for testosterone gel or cream. The timeline for the gel/cream to work is roughly the same as with the testosterone injection 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 exactly how much testosterone is absorbed through the skin.
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 and women do feel the effects of testosterone quicker with the gel or cream. There is no way of knowing until the treatment is started. Each person’s body processes the various forms of testosterone in a unique way.
Get Started with Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Ready to get started? Here's what to know.
Low testosterone can be easily diagnosed with a simple blood test and treated with testosterone replacement therapy to bring your testosterone levels back to normal. The testosterone replacement therapy options available are:
- Intramuscular injections
- Sublingual troches that are taken daily
- Testosterone cream that is applied daily to the shoulders, upper arms, or abdomen
Each of these options provides adequate levels of hormone replacement. Each has side effects and advantages and disadvantages. The choice of hormone replacement therapy is best made with a thorough discussion between you and Dr. Bird. This can be discussed at the free testosterone replacement therapy consultation.
To receive further information about how quickly testosterone therapy works, what you can expect from treatment, how to get tested for low testosterone, and what the best type of testosterone for your needs will be, contact us. We offer confidential consultations at no charge to men and women.
Call or fill out our contact form today to learn about our affordable hormone replacement options.