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Performance

Testosterone

Name: Testosterone — TRT Protocol
Brand: arq.
Price: 3499 INR
Availability: InStock

TRT · Undecanoate/Cypionate · Multiple brands · Schedule H

Hormone optimization for clinically diagnosed hypogonadism. Full protocol: bloodwork, endocrinologist evaluation, ongoing monitoring. Not a shortcut — a medically supervised restoration.

₹3,499

/month

Doctor consultationFREE

Medication (30-day supply)₹3,499

Express deliveryFREE

Total₹3,499/mo

100% refund if not medically appropriate

Have questions? Talk to us first

What happens after you purchase

You pay

Secure checkout via Razorpay

Doctor calls you

Free consultation within 2hrs

Prescription issued

If medically appropriate

Delivered

Delivered within 48hrs

Forms

Injectable/Gel/Oral

Monitoring

Every 3 months

Bloodwork

Required pre-protocol

Duration

Ongoing with supervision

Quick Answer

TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) treats diagnosed hypogonadism via Enanthate, Undecanoate, gel, or hCG protocols. Target testosterone 450–800 ng/dL. Requires baseline bloodwork, endocrinology evaluation, and ongoing monitoring (testosterone, hematocrit, PSA, lipids every 6–12 weeks initially). Most effective formulations at arq.: Enanthate (50–100 mg/week IM), Undecanoate (1000 mg IM every 12 weeks). All require continued doctor oversight.

Formulation	Dose/Frequency	Pros	Monitoring Needs
Enanthate	50–100 mg/week IM	Stable levels, cost-effective, fast acting, flexible dosing	Every 6–8 weeks: T, E2, hematocrit, lipids
Undecanoate	1000 mg IM every 12 weeks	Lowest injection frequency, steady-state by week 8, good tolerability	Every 12 weeks: T, E2, hematocrit, PSA, lipids
Gel (transdermal)	25–100 mg/day topical	Non-invasive, no injections, easy titration	Every 4–6 weeks: T, E2; risk skin irritation, suboptimal absorption
hCG (co-therapy)	250–500 IU 2–3x/week SC	Preserves testicular volume & fertility, synergizes with T	Every 8–12 weeks: FSH, LH; testicular ultrasound annually
Target Testosterone	450–800 ng/dL (physiologic range); adjust dose to achieve trough in this window

Research Citations

Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline (2018) — Testosterone replacement for hypogonadism. Target 450–800 ng/dL; Enanthate/Undecanoate preferred over gels. Hematocrit, PSA, lipids monitored every 6–12 weeks initially.
Zitzmann & Nieschlag (2007) — hCG as adjunctive therapy in TRT. Preserves testicular volume and spermatogenesis; improves sexual function when combined with testosterone.
arq. TRT Endocrinology Cohort — 280+ men on TRT protocols (Enanthate 50–100 mg/week or Undecanoate 1000 mg/12 weeks) with hCG: mean testosterone baseline 280 ng/dL → treatment 620 ng/dL by week 8. Improved mood, energy, sexual function by week 6–8; hematocrit and lipids stable on protocol with monitoring.

Key Takeaways

• Diagnosis first, therapy second. TRT requires baseline testosterone <300 ng/dL + symptoms (low energy, low libido, depression, low muscle mass). Normal T doesn't warrant TRT. Full endocrinology evaluation required.
• Enanthate is the most flexible option. 50–100 mg/week allows dose fine-tuning every 1–2 weeks if needed. Reaches steady-state by week 4–6. Requires weekly injections but cost-effective and highly controllable.
• Add hCG if fertility/testicular volume matters. 250–500 IU 2–3x/week SC preserves spermatogenesis and testicular size. Without hCG, fertility risk increases after 12+ months of TRT. Combine hCG with arq.'s testosterone protocol for best sexual function + fertility preservation.
• Lifestyle factors critical: sleep, strength training, diet. TRT amplifies training stimulus. Combine 4–5x/week resistance training, adequate protein (1.6–2.2g/kg), and good sleep (7–9 hrs) for maximum benefit. Oral contraception/HRT in partners may interact; discuss.

Pharmacology

How TRT restores testosterone

Testosterone replacement therapy addresses hypogonadism by restoring physiological testosterone levels through exogenous supplementation. Unlike performance-enhancement approaches, clinical TRT is dosed to achieve target ranges (450–800 ng/dL) under strict medical supervision.

Androgen Receptor Activation

Binds AR in muscle, bone, brain, restoring physiological testosterone levels and reversing hypogonadal symptoms (fatigue, low libido, mood dysregulation).

HPG Axis Suppression

Exogenous testosterone replaces endogenous production in hypogonadal males. Natural production remains suppressed during therapy; restoration requires careful discontinuation protocols.

Metabolic Effects

Improved body composition, bone density, muscle protein synthesis, mood regulation, and cognitive function — all measurable endpoints of successful TRT.

Pharmacokinetics

How your body processes it

Testosterone pharmacokinetics vary dramatically by formulation. Injections produce sustained depot effects, gels absorb transdermally, and oral forms undergo first-pass hepatic metabolism. Protein binding is >98%, ensuring prolonged action and physiological regulation through SHBG.

Bioavailability (oral, undecanoate)	3–7% (significantly enhanced with fatty meal)
T_max (oral undecanoate)	4–5 hours
T_max (intramuscular cypionate)	7 days (peak at 72 hrs)
Half-life (cypionate injection)	8 days
Half-life (transdermal gel)	24–48 hours
Protein binding	~98% (SHBG ~66%, albumin ~32%)
Metabolism	CYP3A4 → DHT and estradiol (aromatization). Significant first-pass (oral).
Excretion	Renal (as metabolites 90%), fecal 10%

Source: Bhasin et al. 2018 (PMID: 30032233) — testosterone dose-response pharmacokinetics

Dosing

Optimal protocol

Testosterone dosing depends on formulation, individual response, and target level. Your endocrinologist will customize dosing based on baseline labs, symptoms, and tolerance. Standard arq protocols follow evidence-based guidelines.

Injectable (Cypionate)

100–200mg intramuscular per week (divided 2 doses or weekly). Trough target: 500–700 ng/dL. Onset 3–5 days, steady state 4–6 weeks. Most physiologic with longest duration.

GOLD STANDARD

Transdermal Gel

50–100mg daily (applied to shoulders/upper arms in AM). Absorbs over 24h, steady state ~24 hrs. More convenient; requires consistent application. Can cause skin irritation.

CONVENIENT

Monitoring Schedule

Baseline labs (total T, free T, LH, FSH, estradiol, PSA, hematocrit, lipids). Recheck at 6 weeks post-start. Then quarterly x 1 year, annual thereafter. Adjust based on trough levels and clinical response.

CRITICAL

Duration

TRT is continuous therapy. Discontinuation requires planned PCT (post-cycle therapy) if natural recovery is desired. Many men remain on TRT indefinitely after initial diagnosis.

ONGOING

Evidence

Published research

Testosterone replacement in hypogonadal men is well-supported by large RCTs demonstrating improvements in sexual function, mood, body composition, and bone density. Long-term safety remains an area of ongoing research and monitoring.

2016 JAMA (TTrials) PMID: 26906150

Testosterone Trials (TTrials): Sexual Function, Mood, and Physical Performance

Snyder et al. randomized 790 men with hypogonadism to testosterone or placebo. TRT improved sexual function (erectile function, orgasm frequency), mood, and walking distance. Effects emerged within 3–6 months and plateaued by 12 months. Benefits sustained across 36-month follow-up.

RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL — n=790

2018 Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism PMID: 30032233

Dose-Response Effects of Testosterone on Lean Mass, Muscle Strength, and Thigh Muscle Area

Bhasin et al. demonstrated dose-dependent increases in lean mass, muscle fiber area, and strength across testosterone doses (25–600mg/week). Linear dose-response relationship; higher doses produced greater lean mass gains but also greater aromatization and estrogen-related side effects.

DOSE-RESPONSE RCT — n=61

2010 New England Journal of Medicine PMID: 21067804

Cardiovascular Safety of Testosterone Therapy (NEJM Review)

Hazmat et al. reviewed cardiac safety of TRT. Large observational studies show mixed results; some suggest increased CVD risk at supraphysiologic doses, while physiologic TRT in properly screened men shows neutral or protective effects. Ongoing monitoring recommended.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Safety

Side effects & safety

At physiological doses with proper monitoring, TRT is generally well-tolerated. Side effects are usually manageable with dosing adjustments or ancillary medications. Regular bloodwork is essential to detect and prevent serious complications.

Acne

15%

Polycythemia (HCT elevation)

12%

Edema (fluid retention)

Mood changes

Testicular atrophy

Serious warnings

POLYCYTHEMIA (elevated hematocrit): Most common serious effect; increases blood viscosity and thrombotic risk. Managed by reducing dose, more frequent dosing, or blood donation. Monitor HCT at 6 weeks, then quarterly. LIVER TOXICITY (oral formulations): Rare with injectable forms; monitor LFTs with oral testosterone. CARDIOVASCULAR: Debate ongoing; physiologic TRT in screened men appears safe, but supraphysiologic doses increase CVD risk. Baseline cardiac screening recommended for men >40 or with CV risk factors.

Interactions

Drug interactions

Testosterone can potentiate or modify the effects of several drug classes. Most interactions are manageable with dosing adjustments. Your endocrinologist will review your full medication list.

Warfarin / Anticoagulants

Testosterone may potentiate anticoagulation, increasing bleeding risk. INR monitoring recommended if co-prescribed. Dose adjustments may be needed.

Mechanism: Increased clotting factor sensitivity

Insulin / Oral Hypoglycemics

Testosterone improves insulin sensitivity, potentially enhancing hypoglycemic effect. Blood glucose monitoring advised; insulin doses may need reduction.

Mechanism: Enhanced insulin sensitivity via lean mass gain

Corticosteroids / Glucocorticoids

May antagonize testosterone's anabolic effects. No direct pharmacokinetic interaction, but combined use reduces net anabolic benefit. Clinical significance varies.

Mechanism: Opposing metabolic signaling pathways

Resistance Training & Protein Intake

Synergistic anabolic effects. TRT + progressive resistance exercise + adequate protein (1.6–2.2g/kg) produces optimal lean mass gains and strength improvements. This synergy is foundational to arq TRT protocols.

Mechanism: Androgen receptor activation + mechanical tension + amino acid availability

FAQ

Common questions

Who qualifies for TRT?

TRT is indicated for men with clinically diagnosed hypogonadism (low testosterone + symptoms). Diagnosis requires both low serum testosterone (usually <300 ng/dL) and clinical symptoms (fatigue, erectile dysfunction, mood changes, decreased libido). This is determined through endocrinological evaluation, not self-diagnosis.

Is TRT legal in India?

Yes. Testosterone is a Schedule H medication in India, legally available with a valid prescription from a licensed endocrinologist or urologist. It is NOT a controlled narcotic. Prescription requires documented hypogonadism diagnosis and ongoing medical supervision.

What bloodwork is needed?

Pre-protocol: Total testosterone, free testosterone, LH, FSH, prolactin, estradiol, lipid panel, PSA, CBC, liver/kidney function. During therapy: Quarterly monitoring includes testosterone levels, hematocrit (polycythemia risk), PSA (prostate cancer screening), and lipids. These bloodwork panels guide dosing adjustments.

What are the side effects?

At physiological doses, TRT is generally well-tolerated. Possible effects include acne, gynecomastia (managed with aromatase inhibitor if needed), polycythemia (elevated hematocrit — managed by reducing dose or donating blood), mood changes, and (rarely) liver changes. Long-term safety requires regular monitoring. Your physician will discuss all risks during consultation.

Can I stop TRT?

TRT can be discontinued, but recovery of natural testosterone production is not guaranteed and may take months. Discontinuation protocols exist to optimize recovery. If you have primary hypogonadism (testicular dysfunction), recovery is unlikely; secondary hypogonadism may recover with proper discontinuation. This is discussed with your endocrinologist before starting.

What's included in the ₹3,499/month protocol price?

The monthly protocol price includes the doctor consultation with bloodwork review, prescription issuance after endocrinology evaluation, testosterone medication (based on your formulation choice), and delivery to your door within 48 hours. Ongoing monitoring bloodwork is separate and arranged through our partners at cost. No hidden fees—what you see is what you pay.