You can get a testosterone shot at your doctor’s office, a men’s health clinic, a urologist’s or endocrinologist’s practice, or at home through self-injection once you have a prescription. Most people end up doing a combination: starting with supervised injections at a clinic, then transitioning to self-administered shots at home after training. The prescription itself can be filled at virtually any major pharmacy, including CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Costco, and Safeway.
Getting a Prescription First
Testosterone is a Schedule III controlled substance, which means you cannot get it without a prescription, and the process to get that prescription involves more than a single conversation. The Endocrine Society guidelines require two separate blood draws showing consistently low testosterone levels before a diagnosis is made. These blood draws need to happen in the morning while fasting, since testosterone levels naturally fluctuate throughout the day and drop after meals.
Your provider will measure both total and free testosterone. If levels come back low, further testing determines whether the issue originates in the testes (primary hypogonadism) or in the brain’s signaling to the testes (secondary hypogonadism), because the distinction affects treatment. You also need to have actual symptoms of low testosterone, not just a number on a lab report. Low libido, fatigue, loss of muscle mass, mood changes, and reduced bone density are the clinical signs providers look for alongside the bloodwork.
Several conditions will disqualify you from getting a prescription. These include prostate or breast cancer, a palpable prostate nodule, an elevated red blood cell count (hematocrit above 54%), untreated severe sleep apnea, uncontrolled heart failure, a heart attack or stroke within the past six months, and blood clotting disorders. Men actively trying to conceive are also advised against testosterone therapy, since it can suppress sperm production.
Where to Get Diagnosed and Start Treatment
Several types of providers can evaluate you and write a prescription:
- Primary care doctors are the most accessible starting point. Many are comfortable diagnosing low testosterone and managing treatment, especially straightforward cases.
- Urologists specialize in the male reproductive system and are a natural fit if your low testosterone is connected to testicular issues or if you have prostate concerns that need monitoring.
- Endocrinologists focus on hormones broadly and tend to handle more complex cases, such as pituitary disorders causing secondary hypogonadism.
- Men’s health clinics are dedicated facilities that specialize in hormone therapy. They typically streamline the process, handling lab work, diagnosis, and treatment in one location. Chains like Gameday Men’s Health and similar clinics operate in many metro areas.
Telehealth and Online TRT Clinics
A growing number of online platforms now connect patients with providers who prescribe testosterone remotely. Because testosterone is a Schedule III controlled substance, federal rules govern how this works. Under DEA telemedicine rules finalized in early 2025, providers can prescribe Schedule III through V controlled substances via telehealth under a special registration, even without an in-person visit. Once you’ve had at least one in-person visit with any medical provider, that provider can continue prescribing through telehealth indefinitely. Online platforms that facilitate these prescriptions are now required to register with the DEA.
In practice, most online TRT clinics will have you complete a health questionnaire, order lab work at a local draw site, then schedule a video consultation to review results. If you qualify, the prescription is sent to a pharmacy or shipped directly. The convenience is real, but so is the variability in quality. Look for platforms staffed by licensed providers with experience in hormone therapy, not just general practitioners processing high volumes.
In-Office Shots vs. Self-Injection at Home
Where you physically receive the injection depends on the type of testosterone prescribed. The two most common injectable forms, testosterone cypionate and testosterone enanthate, are typically injected every one to two weeks. These can be administered in a clinic or self-injected at home after your provider’s staff trains you on technique. Most patients transition to home injection fairly quickly because it eliminates the need for repeated office visits.
Traditional intramuscular injections go into the thigh or upper glute using a larger needle. They work well but can be uncomfortable and awkward to do yourself, which is why many patients need help from a family member. Subcutaneous injections have gained popularity as an alternative. They use a smaller needle, go just under the skin (usually in the abdomen or thigh), and are significantly easier to self-administer. The FDA has approved an autoinjector device for weekly subcutaneous self-injection of testosterone enanthate, making the process similar to using an insulin pen.
One exception to the home injection option: testosterone undecanoate is a long-acting formulation given roughly every 12 weeks. Because it carries a rare risk of a pulmonary reaction, it must be administered by medical personnel in a clinic, and you’re required to stay for 30 minutes of observation afterward. This formulation trades convenience for fewer total injections per year.
Filling Your Prescription
Once you have a prescription, testosterone cypionate is widely available at major retail pharmacies. CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Costco, Safeway, and Target pharmacies all stock it. Pricing varies significantly between pharmacies, and discount tools like GoodRx can reduce costs, particularly if you’re paying out of pocket. The generic injectable forms are among the least expensive testosterone options available. Some men’s health clinics and online TRT platforms ship medication directly, bundling the cost into a monthly membership fee.
Follow-Up Monitoring Schedule
Getting the shot is not the end of the process. Testosterone therapy requires ongoing blood work to make sure levels are in range and to catch potential side effects early. Expect your first follow-up labs three to six months after starting treatment. For injectable cypionate or enanthate, the blood draw should happen midway between injections. Your provider is looking for a mid-interval testosterone level between roughly 350 and 600 ng/dL. If it falls outside that window, the dose or injection frequency gets adjusted.
Hematocrit, a measure of red blood cell concentration, is checked at baseline, again at three to six months, then annually. Testosterone stimulates red blood cell production, and if hematocrit climbs above 54%, therapy is paused until levels normalize. For men over 55, or younger men with elevated prostate cancer risk, prostate screening with a PSA test is recommended before starting treatment and again within the first year. After the initial adjustment period, most follow-up visits shift to once a year, assuming everything stays stable.