@eddyquekett's testosterone application tips, fact-checked

What did @eddyquekett actually say?

The creator, a transmasculine person on testosterone gel (brand name Testaban), walked through a fairly specific set of claims while switching bottles mid-application. They stated that one gram of their gel contains 20mg of testosterone, that each pump dispenses 1.15 grams, making each pump 23mg, and that two pumps equals 46mg daily. They also claimed that ethanol alcohol makes up 96% of the gel formulation, describing it as "a little bit like a hormonal hand sanitizer." They primed the new pump before use and wiped off the incomplete dose from the old bottle before starting fresh.

This is unusually specific for a TikTok video. Most testosterone content stays vague. This creator did math on camera, cited product-specific figures, and demonstrated an application technique. That specificity is worth examining closely.

Does the science back this up?

Mostly, yes. The dosing math checks out against published formulation data, and the priming instruction is standard manufacturer guidance. Testosterone gels are indeed ethanol-heavy, though the exact percentage varies by brand.

Testosterone gel formulations in the 1% to 1.62% range are well-documented in the literature. AndroGel 1.62%, the most studied comparator, delivers approximately 20.25mg per 1.25g actuation (Swerdloff et al., 2000, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism). The math the creator applies to Testaban, 20mg per gram at 1.15g per pump equaling 23mg per pump, is internally consistent and matches the kind of formulation data published in product monographs. A 2017 review by Yassin and colleagues in the World Journal of Men's Health confirmed that gel-based testosterone delivery relies heavily on ethanol as a penetration enhancer, with concentrations typically between 67% and 96% depending on the formulation. So the 96% ethanol claim is at the high but not implausible end of the documented range.

The priming step is not a quirk. Pump dispensers require priming to ensure accurate dose delivery. Skipping it can result in a partial or inconsistent first dose, which is clinically relevant for anyone trying to maintain stable serum testosterone levels.

What did they get wrong (or right)?

Honestly, they got most of the technical details right. The dosing arithmetic is accurate. The priming advice is correct. The ethanol content claim is plausible and consistent with published formulation data, even if 96% is toward the upper end of what is reported across brands.

Where the video gets murkier is the implied suggestion that discarding a partial dose and starting fresh from a new bottle is a clean, no-problem fix. It probably is fine in practice, but inconsistent dose delivery on any given day can cause transient fluctuation in serum testosterone levels. Bhasin et al. (2006, Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism) noted that gel-based testosterone produces steadier levels than injections, but that consistency depends on reliable daily application. One partial dose is unlikely to matter much clinically, but the video does not mention this nuance.

The "hormonal hand sanitizer" analogy is colorful and roughly accurate in terms of the ethanol content, but it slightly undersells the absorption mechanism. Unlike hand sanitizer, the testosterone must permeate the stratum corneum and enter systemic circulation. The ethanol is a vehicle, not the active agent.

What should you actually know?

If you are on testosterone gel, the specific milligram-per-pump figure for your formulation matters and varies by brand. Do not assume your gel matches the numbers in this video. Testaban is not AndroGel, and neither is Tostran or Fortesta. Check your product insert or ask your prescriber.

Priming a new pump is not optional. Studies on metered-dose dispensers across drug classes consistently show that the first one to two actuations of an unprimed pump deliver inconsistent volumes (consistent with FDA guidance on metered-dose device accuracy). Skipping this step on a testosterone pump means your first dose may be underdosed.

The ethanol vehicle in testosterone gels is also why transfer risk is real. Touching someone else's skin, or being touched, within a few hours of application can transfer active testosterone. This is a documented concern for pediatric and female partners (Stahlman et al., 2012, Drug Safety). The creator did not mention this, and with 1.7 million views, that is a meaningful gap.

Finally, no one should adjust their testosterone dose based on a TikTok video, including this one. Dose changes require bloodwork and a prescriber. The numbers here describe one person's prescribed regimen, not a recommendation.