Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has become an increasingly common and effective treatment for individuals experiencing symptoms of low testosterone—such as fatigue, low libido, weight gain, and muscle loss. While there are various delivery methods available (injections, gels, pellets, patches), many compounding pharmacies offer testosterone suspended in MCT oil as a customizable injection option. But what exactly does this formulation offer, and is it right for you?

Let’s explore the pros and cons of testosterone compounded in MCT oil (medium-chain triglyceride oil).

✅ Pros of Testosterone in MCT Oil

1. Reduced Injection Pain

MCT oil is a thinner, smoother carrier compared to sesame or cottonseed oil. Many users report less injection-site discomfort, making it a preferred option for long-term therapy.

2. Better Absorption

MCTs are metabolized quickly and efficiently by the body. This can lead to more consistent absorption of testosterone, supporting stable hormone levels over time.

3. Customizable Dosing

Compounded testosterone in MCT oil allows for custom strengths and concentrations, enabling precise titration based on your individual hormone levels, goals, and symptoms.

4. Lower Allergenic Potential

Some patients experience reactions to traditional carriers like sesame or grapeseed oil. MCT oil is less likely to trigger allergic responses, especially in sensitive individuals.

5. Improved Shelf Stability

MCT oil is less prone to oxidation compared to some other oils, which can extend the shelf life and maintain the potency of the compounded testosterone.

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⚠️ Cons of Testosterone in MCT Oil

1. Not FDA-Approved

Compounded medications, including testosterone in MCT oil, are not FDA-approved and are not subject to the same manufacturing oversight as commercial products. Quality depends on the standards of the compounding pharmacy used. It is important to choose a provider who has longstanding relationships with good compounders to ensure trust and accountability.

2. Injection Technique Matters

Because MCT oil is thinner, improper injection technique (e.g., injecting too fast or into the wrong tissue) can cause irritation or oily leakage from the site. We recommend a minimum of 1/2″ in depth, as well as a very slow plunge speed to minimize any oil leakage.

3. Shorter Dosing Frequency in Some Cases

While some patients achieve stable levels with once-weekly injections, others may need to inject 2-3 times weekly to prevent fluctuations in testosterone levels. A thinner oil typically will flow through a thinner gauge needle which can be make injecting multiple times weekly more comfortable.

4. Limited Availability

Not all pharmacies compound testosterone in MCT oil. Patients may need to source from specialty or telemedicine-affiliated pharmacies, which may have longer shipping times or limited access depending on location. At MedClub we have a network of compounding pharmacies we have worked with for years, we can source most types of testosterone and nandrolones in MCT oil at the patients request.

5. Cost May Vary

Compounded testosterone is usually close in price to brand name or generic testosterones, although specialty blends can cost a little more. Most men on TRT generally pay out of pocket or use an HSA/Flex Spending account but do not go through traditional insurance if they are treated by a private clinic. You can expect to pay around $100 per 10ml vial, this price can vary.

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💡 Is Testosterone in MCT Oil better for SubQ Style Injections?

A subcutaneous injection is a method of delivering medication into the layer of fat just beneath the skin. This area, called the subcutaneous tissue, allows for slower, more sustained absorption compared to deeper intramuscular injections. Commonly used for medications like insulin, hormone therapies, peptides, and certain vaccines, subcutaneous injections are typically administered in areas with fatty tissue—such as the abdomen, thigh, or back of the arm. With proper technique, they are easy to perform at home and generally well-tolerated.

For quite some time now we have dissuaded patients from administering testosterone via SubQ for a few reasons, the first being legal, as providers we cannot recommend a delivery method that is not officially approved. The second reason is more realistic, grape-seed, cottonseed, and sesame oil are thicker and very hard to properly draw into a 31 gauge “insulin style” needle, the draw is long, bubbles are created due to the vacuum force needed, and it’s simply time consuming. The third reason is granuloma formations, these are small areas of inflammation that can form under the skin in response to injected substances, especially if the body perceives the material as foreign or irritating. These lumps are typically firm, non-cancerous, and may be tender or painless.

There is one brand name injection which is FDA approved and reconstituted into a bacteriostatic water solution, essentially a “water based” T shot that comes in an auto-injector pen. Unfortunately compounding pharmacies cannot make a generic or “copy” of this specific type due to an active patent.

We have tested the new compounded MCT oil and found that while it is much thinner it still takes a long time to draw and push through a 31 gauge needle. We tested 31G 5/16″, 30G 1/2″, 30G 5/16″, and 29G 1/2″ to see which was the overall best for injecting this thinner MCT oil subcutaneously. We found that the 5/16″ was too short and caused leakage more often than not, even with a slower plunge. The 30G & 29G 1/2″ needles performed the best with small “micro-dose” style injections of 0.1-0.25ml multiple times weekly. The 30G 1/2″ was slightly more comfortable but due to supply chain issues they can sometimes be hard to find. We found the best injection site to be the abdomen if the patient had enough fat to tolerate a 1/2″ depth (15% BFI+) – for patients with little fat on the abdomen the upper arm, gluteus medius area, or quadricep area worked very well. The location has more to do with the patients ability to reach the area, perform the sterile technique properly, and their general comfortability.

Most patients decide to explore SubQ because they need to space out their doses from one large weekly dose to multiple micro-doses for side effects or therapuetic balance, while some simply cannot tolerate the IM shots (needle phobias etc). If you are exploring subQ because you think it might be less painful well, that’s relative. If your used to injecting with a 25G needle than a 30G will be a little better but you will certainly still feel the initial pinch. For any injection patients can ice the site before wiping with alcohol. The ice numbs the top layer of skin very well ensuring you won’t feel the needle pierce the skin, which is the typical crux of needle phobia. After a few successful “painless” shots most people feel very confident and are more comfortable with the entire process.

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🔬 MedClub’s Approach

At MedClub, we partner with PCAAB-accredited U.S. compounding pharmacies that test for purity, potency, and sterility. Our clinicians provide support for proper injection training, regular hormone monitoring, and dosage adjustments based on your goals and response. We are a small family run private medical clinic, we keep a small client list and do not have multiple rotating providers so we really get to know our patients. We are strong believers in educating our patient base, as well as keeping up with our own continuing education to stay on the cutting edge of the hormone replacement specialty. We have been treating patients in South Florida for ten years.

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