method,typical_schedule,level_pattern,the_catch
IM cypionate or enanthate,"50–400 mg every 2–4 weeks, or 75–100 mg weekly","Peak about 1,112 ng/dL at day 4–5, falling to about 400 ng/dL by day 14",Mood and libido track the cycle; injection-site pain
SC enanthate auto-injector (Xyosted),75 mg weekly into the abdomen,Flatter than IM; dose adjusted on a trough drawn 7 days after the shot,"Label reports raised hematocrit in 14.0%, hypertension in 12.7%, raised PSA in 12.0%"
IM undecanoate (Aveed),"750 mg, again at 4 weeks, then every 10 weeks",Peak about 813 ng/dL by day 7; trough 323–339 ng/dL at week 10,"Boxed warning for pulmonary oil microembolism and anaphylaxis; 30 minutes of observation after every dose, under a restricted programme"
"Transdermal gel (AndroGel, Testim, Fortesta, Vogelxo)",40–100 mg daily depending on the product,"In range within 1–2 days, then steady",Boxed warning for transfer to others; no swimming or showering for at least 5 hours
Transdermal patch (Androderm),"2–6 mg nightly, starting at 4 mg",Peak about 765 ng/dL around 8 hours; roughly mimics the natural daily rhythm,Skin irritation in 48% of users
Nasal gel (Natesto),"11 mg per dose (5.5 mg per nostril), three times daily",Peak within 40 minutes; 24-hour average about 421 ng/dL,"Three doses a day forever; nosebleed, runny nose, nasal scabbing"
Oral undecanoate (Jatenzo and similar),"158–396 mg twice daily, with food","Absorbed through the lymphatics, bypassing first-pass liver metabolism",Ambulatory monitoring showed blood pressure up 4.9/2.5 mm Hg; useless without a fatty meal
Subcutaneous pellets (Testopel),150–450 mg implanted every 3–6 months,"Peak about a month after implant, then sustained for 4–6 months",Minor surgical procedure; extrusion in about 10%; very hard to reverse if you react badly