ReviewedReviewed by Dr. Michael Wittmer, ABHRT-certified, Clinical Director at Wittmer Rejuvenation Clinic
Your first testosterone vial just arrived. This guide walks you through drawing up your dose and giving the injection.
What the video covers
- Clean hands and workspace
- Your supplies
- Reading your vial and storage
- Removing the cap
- Switching to the drawing needle
- Drawing up your dose
- Priming and injection sites
- Giving the injection
- Aftercare and disposal
What you need
| Item | What it's for | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Testosterone vial | Your medication, suspended in oil | Pharmacy |
| 27-gauge, 1/2-inch TB syringe | The injection needle | Pharmacy, typically with your first order |
| Drawing needle | Pulling medication out of the vial | Pharmacy, typically with your first order |
| Alcohol prep pads | Cleaning the vial top and your skin | Sometimes included. Any drugstore carries them |
| Sharps container | Safe needle disposal | Any drugstore |
Before you start
- Check the dosing instructions on the outside of your box.
- Check the expiration date printed on the vial itself.
- Store your vial at room temperature. A kitchen cabinet or bathroom drawer works.
- Keep the vial in its box between uses.
How to inject testosterone, step by step
- Clean up.Wash your hands. Work on a clean surface.
- Remove the aluminum cap.Slip a fingernail under the middle of the cap and pull it off.
- Clean the vial.Wipe the rubber top with an alcohol pad. Let it dry.
- Switch needles.Take the injection needle off your syringe and set it aside, capped, so it stays sterile. Attach the drawing needle.
- Pull in air.Draw air into the syringe equal to your dose. For a 0.3 mL dose, that's 0.3 mL of air.
- Push the air into the vial.Insert the needle and push the air in slowly.
- Draw the medication.Turn the vial and syringe upside down. Keep the needle tip inside the oil. Pull back to about double your dose. In the example, that's 0.6 to 0.7 mL.
- Remove air bubbles.Tap the syringe so bubbles rise. Push the air and extra medication back into the vial until the plunger sits exactly at your dose.
- Swap back.Turn the vial upright. Remove the drawing needle. Attach the injection needle.
- Prime the needle.Remove the cap. Push the plunger gently until a small bead of medication shows at the tip.
- Clean the site.Wipe your chosen injection site thoroughly with an alcohol pad. Let it dry.
- Inject.Hold the needle about an inch above your skin. Insert it at a 90-degree angle, like a dart, all the way to the hub. Push the plunger slowly.
- Finish.Remove the needle. A small spot of blood is normal. Use an alcohol pad or tissue. Gently massage the area for 10 to 15 seconds. This helps disperse the oil and can help with soreness.
- Dispose.Put the syringe and both needles in a sharps container.
Testosterone injection sites (IM)
| Site | Location |
|---|---|
| Deltoid | Upper outer arm |
| Thigh | Upper outer thigh |
| Glute | Upper outer area of the buttock |
Rotate sites from one injection to the next.
Good habits
- Use each syringe and needle once. Never reuse them.
- Never recap a used needle. It goes straight into the sharps container.
- Keep your vial in its box, at room temperature.
When to contact your care team
Frequently asked questions
Can I inject testosterone subcutaneously?
Some testosterone protocols use subQ instead of IM. Your treatment plan specifies which. If yours is subQ, follow the subQ injection guide. Text us if you're unsure.
Why are there two needles?
The drawing needle pulls medication through the rubber top of the vial. You then switch to a fresh injection needle for your skin.
Where should I store my testosterone?
At room temperature, inside its box. A cabinet or drawer is fine.
Can I reuse my syringe?
No. Syringes and needles are single use.
Why massage the site afterward?
Massaging for 10 to 15 seconds helps disperse the oil and can help with soreness.
When should I get my labs drawn?
Typically on injection day, before your next dose, unless your provider gave you different instructions.
Questions?
WRC patients, text our care team at the number in your welcome email. We read every message.
Not a patient yet?
Wittmer Rejuvenation Clinic is a direct-pay telehealth hormone clinic licensed in all 50 states, with 836 Google reviews and a 4.94 average.
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This guide is educational content and is not medical advice. Always follow the instructions from your prescribing provider.