TRT injections vs gels vs oral: what clinics offer

TRT comes in four main forms in the UK. Clinics differ in what they default to — the choice affects cost, steadiness and daily routine.

Injections

The most prescribed form in the UK (Manual states 98% of its patients inject). Options include testosterone cypionate/enanthate 1–3× per week (self-injected subcutaneously) and longer-acting preparations given at clinics. Steadiest levels, cheapest per dose, requires needles and storage.

Levels: steady with frequent small doses.
Cost: inside the £59.99–£110/month subscription band at telehealth providers.

Gels/topicals

Daily application to shoulders/arms (Manual topical £99.99–£109.99/month). No needles; transfer risk to partners/children (wash hands, cover site); absorption varies.

Levels: mimic the natural dip-and-peak less well; daily routine essential.

Oral capsules

Testosterone undecanoate capsules (Manual oral from £59.99). Dosed 2×/day with fat-containing meals.

Implants and long-acting injections

Clinic-administered pellets or 10–14-week injections (less common at the clinics in our directory; used in NHS endocrinology).

What actually differs at the clinics in our directory

Manual publishes all three self-administered routes with prices.
Optimale's subscription covers injectable or topical with reviews included.
NHS prescribing tends toward gels or long-acting injections.

Questions to ask any clinic

Which form fits my lifestyle and dose needs?
What monitoring does this form require (haematocrit climbs faster on injectables)?
What happens if my levels overshoot — is titration included?

See also: costs explained and risks and monitoring.

Frequently asked questions

Are injections cheaper than gels?

At the clinics that publish both, injections start lower: Manual lists injectable treatment from £110/month versus orals from £59.99, with topicals from £99.99. Optimale publishes £59.99–£109.99 depending on format. Exact current prices are in our price registry.

Do gels or injections need different monitoring?

Clinic pages we checked do not publish materially different monitoring schedules by format; monitoring is set by the prescriber. If a clinic will not state its monitoring plan in writing, that is a gap worth noting.

Affiliate disclosure: Some pages contain affiliate or advertising links, marked with 'sponsored'. Listings are never sold ranking — featured status is labelled on the page. Clinic data is published free regardless of commercial relationships.

Information directory — medically reviewed sources cited per page · Source-checked 2026-10-09 · Independent information directory — not medical advice.