Testopel
Active Substance: Testopel
Description
Testopel is a brand name for testosterone pellets, a long-acting form of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
Here is a detailed breakdown based on your request:
What is Testopel (Testosterone Pellets)?
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Different Name: Testosterone Pellets.
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Mechanism: Testopel consists of small, cylindrical pellets (each typically containing 75 mg of crystalline testosterone) that are implanted under the skin, usually in the buttock or hip area, during a brief office procedure under local anesthesia.
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Action: The pellets slowly dissolve and release a steady, consistent dose of testosterone into the body over a period of 3 to 6 months, gradually normalizing testosterone levels in men with hypogonadism (low testosterone).
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Benefit of Formulation: This method avoids the need for frequent weekly injections, daily gels, or patches, and eliminates the risk of skin-to-skin transfer of medication to others.
Benefits and Side Effects
Dosage and Frequency
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Dosage: The suggested guideline for replacement therapy is 150 mg to 450 mg per implantation.
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Since each pellet is 75 mg, this typically means implanting 2 to 6 pellets.
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Frequency: Subcutaneously implanted every 3 to 6 months (or 2 to 4 times per year).
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Adjustment: Dosage (number of pellets) is adjusted by the healthcare provider based on the patient's symptoms and blood testosterone levels, which are typically monitored at the end of the dosing interval.
Half-Life and Detection Time
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Half-Life: The drug itself is crystalline testosterone, which has a very short biological half-life (around 2-4 hours). However, the Testopel delivery system provides a long, steady release of the hormone.
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Duration of Effect/Release: The pellets slowly dissolve and release testosterone over 3 to 6 months (sometimes up to 4-6 months).
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Detection Time: Since Testopel releases the bio-identical hormone testosterone, it is difficult to give a precise "detection time" for doping control in sports (WADA, etc.). Doping tests primarily look for an unnaturally high Testosterone/Epitestosterone (T/E) ratio or the presence of synthetic metabolites.
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While the effects last for months, the detection window in urine for exogenous (administered) testosterone is highly variable and depends on the testing methodology (e.g., Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry, which can detect non-natural testosterone) and the specific metabolites.
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In the context of typical anabolic steroid detection times, long-acting testosterone forms can have metabolites detectable for many weeks to months. Due to the slow, steady release, the time it takes for levels to return to baseline after the pellets are fully absorbed/dissolved can be around 13 to 20 weeks (3-5 months) or more.
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Sterogenic, Progestogenic, and Prolactin Effects
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Sterogenic Effects: The term "sterogenic" generally refers to compounds with an anabolic (muscle-building) or androgenic (male characteristic-promoting) effect, which testosterone is. It is a potent anabolic-androgenic steroid.
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Progestronic Effects: Testosterone itself is not a progestogen (it does not bind significantly to the progesterone receptor).
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Prolactin Effects: Testosterone (Testopel) does not directly or significantly increase prolactin levels. However, the abuse of certain other anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) derived from Nandrolone or those with high progestogenic activity can increase prolactin. High doses of any testosterone may increase estrogen (via aromatization), which can indirectly affect prolactin, but this is not a primary effect of testosterone.
Anabolic Androgenic Ratio
Testosterone is the standard against which all other anabolic-androgenic steroids are measured.
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Testosterone Anabolic Androgenic Ratio: 100:100 (or 1:1 when simplified)
Note: This ratio is a historical benchmark based on outdated bioassays, but it is the reference standard. Testosterone has equal anabolic (muscle-building) and androgenic (masculinizing) properties.
Pharmacological Properties
Half Life
120 days
Active Dose
100%
Detection
20.00 months
Concentration
50 mg/ml
Anabolic/Androgenic Profile
Usage Effectiveness
Activity Profile
Estrogenic
None
Progestanic
None
Water Retention
None
Aromatization
No
Benefits
Dosage Recommendations
Beginner
200-400 mg/week
Intermediate
400-600 mg/week
Advanced
600-800 mg/week
Evidence-based planning resources
Dive deeper into Testopel cycle design, stacking options, and harm-reduction checklists available inside Anabolic Planner.
- Testopel compound database overviewCompare Testopel with other steroid agents in the structured compound index.
- Testopel stack and cycle templatesReview evidence-based cycle outlines, dose progressions, and PCT pairings that incorporate Testopel.
- Harm-reduction guide for TestopelRefresh safety monitoring, lab work, and countermeasure strategies tailored for Testopel protocols.
Peer-reviewed reference material
Validate mechanisms, contraindications, and regulatory guidance for Testopel with trusted clinical databases.
- Testopel clinical research on PubMedSearch peer-reviewed human and veterinary studies discussing efficacy, endocrine impact, and contraindications.
- Testopel pharmacology via Drug Information PortalReview mechanisms, synonyms, regulatory status, and toxicology summaries from the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Side Effects
Common
Severe
Safety Information
Liver Toxicity
None
Kidney Toxicity
Low
Cardiovascular Risk
Moderate
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before using any compounds.