Testogel sachets are a widely prescribed transdermal testosterone replacement therapy for men with confirmed hypogonadism. Obtaining Testogel sachets in the UK requires a valid prescription from a qualified doctor, following thorough assessment and blood tests to confirm testosterone deficiency. This article explains where and how to access Testogel sachets through NHS GP services, specialist referrals, private healthcare, and regulated online clinics. It also covers what to expect during consultations, essential safety precautions, monitoring requirements, and how to collect your prescription safely from registered pharmacies.

What Are Testogel Sachets and Who Can Use Them?

Testogel is a transdermal testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) formulated as a clear, colourless gel containing testosterone as the active ingredient. Each sachet contains 50 mg of testosterone in 5 g of gel, designed for once-daily application to clean, dry, intact skin on the shoulders, arms, or abdomen (avoiding the genital area). The gel is absorbed through the skin, delivering a steady release of testosterone into the bloodstream to restore physiological levels in men with confirmed testosterone deficiency.

Testogel sachets are licensed in the UK for adult men diagnosed with hypogonadism , a clinical condition characterised by inadequate testosterone production. This may result from primary testicular failure (such as Klinefelter syndrome, chemotherapy, or trauma) or secondary hypogonadism due to pituitary or hypothalamic disorders. Symptoms of testosterone deficiency include reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, decreased muscle mass, mood disturbances, and reduced bone density. Diagnosis requires both clinical symptoms and biochemical confirmation through at least two early-morning serum total testosterone measurements showing consistently low levels using your laboratory's specific reference range. When results are borderline (typically around 8–12 nmol/L) or sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is abnormal, calculated free testosterone should be considered.

Dosing and titration: Treatment typically starts with 50 mg (one sachet) once daily, applied in the morning. Your doctor will adjust the dose based on your clinical response and serum testosterone levels, within a range of 50–100 mg daily. The maximum dose is 100 mg (two sachets) per day.

Testogel is not suitable for women or children, and it is contraindicated in men with prostate or breast cancer. Before starting treatment, all men require baseline prostate assessment, including medical history, digital rectal examination (DRE), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. Careful assessment is also required in patients with cardiovascular disease, sleep apnoea, or polycythaemia (treatment should not be initiated or should be interrupted if haematocrit exceeds 0.54).

Important safety precautions: The gel is flammable until dry—keep away from fire, flames, and smoking. Apply to shoulders, arms, or abdomen only; do not apply to genital skin. Allow the gel to dry for 3–5 minutes before dressing, wash your hands thoroughly after application, and cover the application site with clothing. Wash the application site before close skin-to-skin contact with others, and avoid bathing or showering for at least 6 hours after application. These precautions prevent accidental transfer to others, particularly women and children, which could cause virilisation or other adverse effects.

Fertility considerations: Testosterone replacement therapy suppresses sperm production and should be avoided if you are planning to conceive. Discuss fertility-preserving alternatives with your doctor, who may refer you to a specialist in urology or andrology.

Getting Testogel Sachets Through Your GP or NHS

The primary route for obtaining Testogel sachets in the UK is through your NHS general practitioner (GP) or an NHS endocrinology or urology specialist. If you are experiencing symptoms suggestive of testosterone deficiency, your first step should be booking an appointment with your GP to discuss your concerns. Your doctor will take a comprehensive medical history, perform a physical examination, and arrange appropriate blood tests to measure your testosterone levels on two separate occasions in the early morning (between 8–10 am) when testosterone levels are naturally highest.

If your blood results confirm consistently low testosterone using your laboratory's reference range and your symptoms are consistent with hypogonadism, your GP may initiate treatment or refer you to an endocrinologist for specialist assessment. Before starting Testogel, baseline investigations typically include serum testosterone (total and, if indicated, calculated free testosterone), luteinising hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), SHBG, full blood count (to check haematocrit), liver function, lipid profile, and—for all men—prostate assessment including PSA testing and digital rectal examination (DRE). These investigations help confirm the diagnosis, identify the underlying cause, and exclude contraindications such as prostate cancer.

Once prescribed through the NHS, Testogel sachets are available on NHS prescription at the current NHS prescription charge in England (prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and for those with valid exemption certificates in England). Check the NHS website for up-to-date prescription charges. In some areas, local integrated care board (ICB) or integrated care system (ICS) policies may require specialist initiation of testosterone therapy, with ongoing prescribing and monitoring shared between the specialist and your GP under a shared-care protocol.

Your GP or specialist will provide ongoing monitoring, including:

• Serum testosterone and haematocrit at 3–6 months and 12 months, then annually

• Target: testosterone levels in the mid-normal range for your laboratory; haematocrit maintained below 0.54

• PSA monitoring and clinical prostate assessment, with documentation of PSA trajectory

• Assessment of symptom improvement and any side effects

Safety-netting: If your PSA is elevated, DRE is abnormal, or lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) worsen, your doctor will follow NICE guideline NG12 (Suspected cancer: recognition and referral) for urgent specialist referral. If you experience any suspected side effects, report them via the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk or discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

Private Prescriptions and Online Clinics for Testogel

For patients who prefer faster access or have difficulty obtaining NHS treatment, private healthcare offers an alternative route to Testogel sachets. Private endocrinologists, urologists, or men's health specialists can assess your symptoms, arrange necessary investigations, and issue private prescriptions if clinically appropriate. Private consultation fees vary; confirm pricing with the provider before booking. The advantage of private care includes shorter waiting times, more flexible appointment scheduling, and potentially more time for discussion during consultations.

Regulated online clinics have become increasingly popular for testosterone replacement therapy, offering remote consultations with GMC-registered doctors. Reputable services registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) provide legitimate pathways to treatment. These platforms typically require you to complete a detailed medical questionnaire, upload recent blood test results (or arrange testing through partner laboratories), and participate in a video or telephone consultation with a qualified prescriber. It is essential to verify that:

• The service is CQC-registered (check the CQC 'Find a regulated provider' register)

• Prescribers are GMC-registered

• Dispensing pharmacies are GPhC-registered (verify on the General Pharmaceutical Council online register)

• Medicines are UK-licensed and sourced via authorised UK wholesalers

• The service provides comprehensive baseline and follow-up monitoring, including regular blood tests and clinical review

• With your consent, the service shares relevant information with your NHS GP to ensure continuity of care

Caution is warranted when considering online sources. Avoid websites that offer to supply Testogel without a valid prescription or proper medical assessment, as these are operating illegally and may supply counterfeit or substandard products. Purchasing prescription-only medicines without appropriate medical supervision poses significant health risks, including incorrect dosing, lack of monitoring for adverse effects (such as elevated haematocrit or PSA), and potential interactions with other medications. The MHRA provides guidance on buying medicines online safely and avoiding counterfeit products—consult their website for further information.

Always ensure that any private or online service provides the same standard of care as the NHS, including baseline prostate assessment (history, DRE, PSA), monitoring of testosterone levels and haematocrit at appropriate intervals (3–6 months, 12 months, then annually), and clear action plans if results fall outside safe ranges (e.g., haematocrit >0.54 or rising PSA).

What to Expect During Your Testogel Consultation

Whether consulting through the NHS or privately, your initial assessment for Testogel will follow a structured clinical approach. Your doctor will begin by exploring your symptoms in detail, including their onset, duration, and impact on your quality of life. Expect questions about sexual function, energy levels, mood, sleep patterns, and physical changes such as reduced muscle mass or increased body fat. Your medical history will be thoroughly reviewed, including any cardiovascular disease, diabetes, sleep apnoea, prostate problems, or previous cancers, as these may influence treatment decisions.

A physical examination is typically performed, which may include assessment of secondary sexual characteristics, body composition, gynaecomastia (breast tissue enlargement), testicular size, and signs of other endocrine disorders. Your doctor will explain the need for blood tests, which usually include serum testosterone (measured on at least two occasions in the early morning), luteinising hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), full blood count, liver function, and lipid profile. If your testosterone results are borderline or SHBG is abnormal, calculated free testosterone may be assessed.

Prostate assessment: All men require baseline prostate evaluation before starting testosterone therapy, including medical history, digital rectal examination (DRE), and PSA testing. If your PSA is elevated, DRE is abnormal, or you have concerning lower urinary tract symptoms, your doctor will arrange urgent referral to urology in line with NICE guideline NG12 before initiating treatment. These investigations help confirm the diagnosis, identify the underlying cause, exclude contraindications, and establish baseline values for monitoring.

If Testogel is deemed appropriate, your prescriber will provide detailed counselling about its use, including:

• Application technique: Apply to clean, dry, intact skin on the shoulders, arms, or abdomen. Do not apply to genital skin. Allow the gel to dry for 3–5 minutes before dressing. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after application.

• Transfer prevention: Cover the application site with clothing once dry. Wash the application site with soap and water before close skin-to-skin contact with others (especially women and children). Avoid bathing or showering for at least 6 hours after application.

• Flammability warning: The gel is flammable until dry. Keep away from fire, flames, and smoking during and immediately after application.

• Dosing: Treatment typically starts with 50 mg (one sachet) once daily. Your doctor will adjust the dose (50–100 mg daily) based on your clinical response and serum testosterone levels, measured at appropriate intervals (e.g., morning pre-dose trough levels).

• Fertility: Testosterone therapy suppresses sperm production and should be avoided if you are planning to conceive. Discuss fertility-preserving alternatives (such as gonadotrophin therapy) with your doctor, who may refer you to a specialist in urology or andrology.

• Drug interactions: Inform your doctor if you are taking anticoagulants (such as warfarin), antidiabetic medications, or corticosteroids. Testosterone may affect INR (requiring closer monitoring), reduce insulin or oral antidiabetic requirements, or increase the risk of oedema when combined with corticosteroids.

You will be informed about potential side effects, including skin reactions at the application site, acne, mood changes, increased haematocrit (red blood cell concentration), and effects on fertility. Your doctor will discuss realistic expectations regarding symptom improvement; timelines vary by symptom, but changes typically become noticeable within 3–6 weeks and may take several months for full effect. A clear monitoring plan will be established, including the timing of follow-up blood tests (testosterone, haematocrit, PSA) and clinical reviews to ensure treatment safety and efficacy. If you experience any suspected side effects, report them via the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk or discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

Collecting Your Testogel Prescription from Pharmacies

Once you have received a prescription for Testogel sachets, you can have it dispensed at any registered community pharmacy in the UK. If you have an NHS prescription, you can choose any pharmacy, including large chains (such as Boots, Lloyds Pharmacy, or Superdrug), independent pharmacies, or supermarket pharmacy counters. Most pharmacies stock Testogel or can order it for next-day collection if not immediately available. When presenting your prescription, the pharmacist may ask a few questions to ensure safe supply and may offer counselling on proper use, storage, and disposal.

For private prescriptions, the process is similar, though you will pay the full cost of the medication rather than the NHS prescription charge. Prices vary between pharmacies; confirm the cost before dispensing. Some private online clinics include medication costs in their service packages, delivering directly to your home through registered pharmacy partners. This can offer convenience, though you should verify that the dispensing pharmacy is GPhC-registered (check the General Pharmaceutical Council online register) and that medications are UK-licensed and sourced via authorised UK wholesalers.

Important storage and safety advice will be provided by your pharmacist:

• Store Testogel sachets below 25°C and keep out of sight and reach of children.

• Each sachet is for single use only; once opened, apply the entire contents immediately.

• The gel is flammable until dry—keep away from fire, flames, and smoking.

• Dispose of used sachets carefully in household waste, ensuring they are not accessible to children or pets. Return any unused or expired medication to a pharmacy for safe disposal; do not flush medicines down the toilet or sink.

Travelling with Testogel: Testosterone is a Schedule 4 (Part II) Controlled Drug in the UK. If you are travelling, particularly abroad, carry your medication in its original packaging with a letter from your prescribing doctor explaining your treatment. For trips longer than three months, you may require a personal licence—check GOV.UK guidance on taking controlled medicines abroad for detailed advice.

Should you experience any concerns about your medication, such as suspected side effects or questions about use, your pharmacist is an accessible resource for advice. Contact your prescribing doctor if symptoms worsen or new problems develop. Regular prescription reviews ensure continuity of treatment while maintaining appropriate clinical oversight, including monitoring of testosterone levels, haematocrit, and prostate health.

Frequently Asked Questions