Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is the main treatment for low T in the UK. But not all types of TRT are the same.
Key Takeaways
- Testosterone enanthate injections may allow for steadier T levels
- They can be injected under the skin or directly into muscle
- You might notice improvements to low T symptoms in three weeks
What is testosterone enanthate?
Testosterone enanthate is a synthetic testosterone injection.
What makes it different from other TRT injections is how long it lasts. The testosterone enanthate molecule has a chain attached to it, called an ester. The longer the ester, the longer it takes for the medicine to absorb.
Enanthate has a medium-length ester. That means it’s released gradually, but not as slowly as TRT with long esters (like Nebido). The rate of release influences how often you have to take the injections.
What do testosterone enanthate injections do?
Like all types of TRT, testosterone enanthate replaces the testosterone your body isn’t producing.
The injections are made with a carrier oil. Once they’re given into a muscle or tissue, the oil collects into a little depot (a reservoir).
Then the enanthate gradually releases from the oil into your blood. The rate at which this happens is determined by the ester chain. Without it, all of the T would hit your blood at once and then clear right away, like a sugar rush.
Once inside the bloodstream, the ester chain is cut off and the enanthate is converted into free testosterone—T that’s available for your body to use.
Testosterone enanthate half-life
The half-life of testosterone enanthate is around 7-91 days. That’s how long it takes for half a dose to get flushed out of your system.
Testosterone enanthate for TRT
TRT is for men with confirmed low testosterone, via blood test and a clinician’s assessment.
Enanthate might be recommended if you didn’t react well to either testosterone cypionate or Sustanon (including if you found Sustanon injections too painful). Using enanthate generally hurts less than Sustanon or Nebido, because you can inject it with a smaller needle.
Testosterone enanthate for bodybuilding
You shouldn’t use testosterone enanthate (or any type of TRT!) for bodybuilding.
TRT is designed to bring your testosterone within a healthy range. This will help with muscle building but won’t give you a bodybuilder’s physique. For that, you would need to take doses up to 4-5 x higher than what’s given with TRT, which comes with serious health risks—including permanent effects on T production. It’s just not worth it.
By the way: testosterone is a controlled substance. The only way to get it legally is via prescription.
Benefits of testosterone enanthate
Some pros of using testosterone enanthate include:
- It can be injected under the skin (subcutaneous), which generally hurts less
- You can do subcutaneous injections yourself at home
- Because it’s a medium-length ester, it can be taken in smaller, more frequent doses than other types of TRT. This can help maintain steady T levels
- It’s an option for people allergic to peanuts or soy (who can’t use Sustanon)
How long does testosterone enanthate take to work?
Some low T symptoms, like libido, can start to ease in as soon as 3 weeks. Though it usually takes at least 3-6 months for significant improvements—and up to a year to see maximum results.
Injecting testosterone enanthate
Testosterone enanthate can be injected under the skin or directly into the muscle.
Subcutaneous injections are usually preferred because they’re less painful. They’re given into the fatty tissue under the skin, usually on your stomach or thighs.
Whereas intramuscular injections usually go into big muscles, like the buttock. A doctor or nurse will have to do this for you. The benefit of this route is that you can use more volume, so you have less frequent injections.
Testosterone enanthate dosage
Your provider will decide what dose is best for you personally. They’ll consider your age, health, and medical history when making the call.
But to give you an example: subcutaneous injection doses can range from 50mg-100mg, and may be given 1-2 x per week. Intramuscular doses may be around 200-250mg, given every 2-3 weeks.
Testosterone enanthate vs other TRT
So, how does testosterone enanthate compare to other types of TRT?
Testosterone enanthate vs cypionate
These two are really similar: they’re both medium esters. The main difference between them is their carrier oil: enanthate is made with sesame oil while cypionate uses olive or cottonseed oil. This makes enanthate a bit harder to inject.
Testosterone enanthate vs Sustanon
Unlike other TRT injections, Sustanon is a mixture of four different testosterone esters, which are all released at different rates. In theory, this allows for a steady release of T. But in practice, levels sometimes drop off before the next injection is due.
Testosterone enanthate vs propionate
Testosterone propionate is a short-chain ester, so it clears the body much quicker than enanthate. It takes just 4-5 days to become undetectable in the blood. That means you would need to do more frequent injections.
Testosterone undecanoate vs enanthate
Sold under the brand name Nebido, testosterone undecanoate is a long-chain ester that’s taken every 10-14 weeks. There can sometimes be peaks and troughs in T levels between Nebido doses.
Side effects and safety
Common testosterone enanthate side effects can include:
- Increase in red blood cell count
- Weight gain
Other symptoms you may experience are:
- Breast tissue growth (gynaecomastia)
- Acne
- Injection site reaction
- Nausea
See your doctor right away if you think you’re having an allergic reaction to the medicine.
Where to buy testosterone enanthate in the UK?
It’s available via private prescription. Make sure you get testosterone enanthate from a registered pharmacy or clinic, and that it’s being prescribed by a specialist doctor. Otherwise, there’s no guarantee that the products are safe to take.
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