Does testosterone need to be refrigerated? If you’ve been prescribed testosterone injections, you should preserve your medication vials with extreme care. Since testosterone is a medication that is sensitive to temperature, it must be kept out of the heat to maintain its full potency.
Contrary to popular opinion, testosterone injections should not be stored in the refrigerator. In this blog, let’s learn more about this!
Does Testosterone Need to Be Refrigerated? Know more!
Testosterone is a hormone primarily produced in the testicles in men and in smaller amounts in the ovaries in women. It plays a crucial role in various aspects of health, including the development of male reproductive tissues, muscle mass, bone density, and mood regulation.
Normal testosterone levels vary depending on factors such as age, sex, and individual health. In adult men, testosterone levels typically range from about 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) of blood, with levels gradually declining with age. In women, testosterone levels are much lower, usually ranging from about 15 to 70 ng/dL. When it’s lower, they testosterone replacement therapy.
Is it necessary to refrigerate testosterone? No. Testosterone vials should be kept at room temperature and protect from light. You don’t need to store these vials in the refrigerator or freezer. The ideal temperature range for testosterone vials, according to Pfizer, is 68°F – 77°F. However, storing medication somewhere cooler if your room is too hot and you don’t have air conditioning would be a good idea.
Doctors usually prescribe testosterone cypionate during hormonal treatment. Since this drug is produced as an oil solution, refrigeration is unnecessary.
How Long Does A Vial Of Testosterone Last?
The majority of testosterone vials like Testosterone enanthate have an average shelf life of 24 to 36 months when maintained under proper circumstances. Nevertheless, depending on the kind and brand of testosterone injections you’re taking, there can be some differences, so always follow the directions and make sure to look up the vial’s expiration date.
After that point, the hormone won’t “go bad,” but its effectiveness will decline due to structural breakdown. It loses effectiveness as a result, which might have a negative effect on how well your testosterone treatment works.
Proper Temperature for Testosterone Storage
Your testosterone’s efficacy may be impacted if you store your vials frozen. The medication crystallizes at extremely low temperatures, causing its constituents to segregate and breaking down their molecular structure. There can be some cloudiness and tiny crystals forming inside the vial. Swelling may occur at the injection site as a result.
A certain amount of discomfort will be experienced throughout the administration of this medication until the body fully absorbs the testosterone cypionate. For this reason, it’s advised to postpone injecting a medication until it has defrosted.
It is possible for the injection to crystallize similarly while it is being sent. The injection during transit may be impacted by cool weather. Make sure the material in the vial is sufficiently clear to be used for a shot; if not, wait until it has defrosted.
A vial can be submerged in the warm water for five minutes. Subsequently, the medication may be administered gradually into the body. Make sure the temperature is the same as what is advised.
What Happens If You Keep Testosterone In The Fridge?
You shouldn’t inject vials as soon as they arrive at your house if you discover that they are chilly, hazy, or contain crystals.
The same is true if your home’s temperature makes them too warm and you have been storing them in cold storage. Place the vial in a basin or cup filled with hot water to prepare it before injecting your hormones into your muscles.
Hold off until the vial has become sufficiently cold to the touch. When it’s time, you may inject it into your muscles to start reaping the rewards of hormone replacement therapy.
Speak with your healthcare provider if you’re unsure if the temperature in your hormone vials is appropriate for injection. Tell us about your worries and the appearance of your hormone vial.
You’ll get information regarding your next course of action. Find out what room temperature is safe from the manufacturer if you are unsure if you need to refrigerate your hormone vials.
You want to be certain that the hormone therapy you are receiving will work. Proper storage is essential for a satisfying experience.
How Does Temperature Affect Testosterone?
One hormone that is susceptible to temperature changes is testosterone. Extremes in temperature can gradually weaken testosterone reserves and diminish potency. An outline of how temperature affects testosterone is provided below:
Hot weather
Too much heat might harm testosterone. The potency of testosterone can begin to decline at temperatures higher than 104°F (40°C). Over 122°F (50°C), testosterone can be rapidly degraded.
Refrigeration / Freezing
One method of crystallizing dispersed testosterone esters is freezing. This might harm the medication product irreversibly. It is not advised to freeze vials.
Room temperature
Stability is maintained for 30 days when stored at a regulated room temperature of 68–77°F (20–25°C).
Variations in temperature
Deterioration can be accelerated by oscillating between extremes of temperature.
In short, keep your testosterone out of the refrigerator and store it at room temperature. As always, the best practice is to consult your doctor or the manufacturer if you have additional questions.
If you enjoyed this article, you may also want to read this article Does Testosterone Cypionate Have an Expiry Date?
*This information is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional medical or dietary advice tailored to individual needs.
Dr. Kimberly Langdon has been an MD for 31 years, board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist with 19-years of clinical experience. She graduated from The Ohio State University College of Medicine, earning Honors in many rotations. She then completed her OB/GYN residency program at The Ohio State University Medical Center, earning first-place accolades for her Senior Research Project and Score of 98th percentile on a National Proficiency Test.
During her clinical career, she delivered over 2000 babies and specialized in minimally invasive procedures, menopause, endometriosis, menstrual disorders, and polycystic ovarian syndrome. After retiring from clinical practice, she founded a medical device company to commercialize her two patented and four patent-pending medical devices for both life-threatening and non-life-threatening infections.
