@highwestmedical's upper glute injection claims fact-checked
Quick answer
Testosterone replacement therapy typically uses intramuscular injections of testosterone cypionate or enanthate every 7-14 days. Multiple injection sites are anatomically safe and provide equivalent pharmacokinetics, with site rotation recommended to prevent tissue damage.
Our take · Written by FormBlends editorial team · Reviewed by FormBlends Medical Team· This is not a transcript. It is our independent review of the video above.
What does this video actually claim?
Kirsten Nelson from @highwestmedical says the upper glute is the best injection site for testosterone because it's large, well-vascularized, allows better absorption, and reduces the risk of hitting nerves or blood vessels.
She's promoting this as safer and more comfortable than other injection sites. The video has 22.4K views and is clearly marketing High West Medical's testosterone therapy services. Let's see if the anatomy claims hold up.
Does the science back this up?
The upper glute (ventrogluteal site) is actually well-supported in medical literature, but not always for the reasons Nelson gives. A 2019 systematic review by Taddio et al. in Clinical Therapeutics found the ventrogluteal site had lower pain scores compared to dorsogluteal injections.
The anatomy is solid too. The ventrogluteal site avoids the sciatic nerve and superior gluteal artery, which are genuine risks with poorly placed dorsogluteal injections. A 2016 study in the International Journal of Nursing Studies (Cocoman & Murray) confirmed this site has fewer major blood vessels and nerves.
However, testosterone absorption rates don't vary significantly between properly administered intramuscular injection sites. The pharmacokinetics are nearly identical whether you inject in the glute, thigh, or deltoid.
What did they get wrong about absorption?
Nelson's claim about "better absorption" in the upper glute isn't backed by evidence. Testosterone cypionate and enanthate are oil-based preparations that absorb at similar rates regardless of the muscle group used.
A 2017 pharmacokinetic study (Dobs et al., Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism) compared testosterone injection sites and found no clinically significant differences in peak levels or area under the curve. The absorption rate depends on the ester (cypionate vs. enanthate), not the muscle.
The "well-vascularized" argument also doesn't hold water for intramuscular testosterone. These are depot injections designed to release slowly over 7-10 days. More blood flow would actually speed up absorption, potentially shortening the duration between needed injections.
What did they get right about safety?
Nelson is absolutely correct about nerve and blood vessel safety. The ventrogluteal site is the gold standard for intramuscular injections precisely because it avoids major anatomical structures.
The sciatic nerve runs through the dorsogluteal area (what most people think of as the "butt cheek"), making ventrogluteal placement much safer. Multiple nursing textbooks and the World Health Organization recommend this site for exactly the reasons Nelson mentions.
The comfort factor is real too. Patients report less post-injection pain with ventrogluteal compared to dorsogluteal placement, according to multiple comparative studies in nursing journals.
What should you actually know?
The upper glute is a good injection site, but it's not magic. Any properly administered intramuscular injection will deliver testosterone effectively. The deltoid and vastus lateralis (outer thigh) work just as well for absorption.
Site rotation is actually more important than picking the "perfect" spot. Using the same location repeatedly can cause scar tissue buildup and actual absorption problems. Most protocols recommend rotating between 2-3 different sites.
If you're doing self-injections, the outer thigh might be more practical than trying to reach your upper glute. The key is proper technique, not the specific muscle group.
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For @highwestmedical's upper glute injection claims fact-checked, FormBlends checks the page topic against primary trials, systematic reviews, guidelines, and current PubMed-indexed literature where available. These citations are context, not medical advice, proof of eligibility, or a claim that every study applies to every patient.
Cardiovascular Safety of Testosterone-Replacement Therapy
TRAVERSE trial anchor for cardiovascular-safety discussions in appropriately diagnosed men.
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Testosterone therapy in men with androgen deficiency syndromes: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline
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@highwestmedical's upper glute injection claims fact-checked should be treated as a claim to verify, then compared with evidence, safety context, and a provider review path.
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Testosterone replacement therapy typically uses intramuscular injections of testosterone cypionate or enanthate every 7-14 days.
FormBlends verdict
Testosterone replacement therapy typically uses intramuscular injections of testosterone cypionate or enanthate every 7-14 days. Multiple injection sites are anatomically safe and provide equivalent pharmacokinetics, with site rotation recommended to prevent tissue damage.
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Compare the claim with FormBlends safety guidance and a licensed-provider review before acting.
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Use the clip as a claim to verify, not a treatment plan
What it helps with
- Testosterone replacement therapy typically uses intramuscular injections of testosterone cypionate or enanthate every 7-14 days. Multiple injection sites are anatomically safe and provide equivalent pharmacokinetics, with site rotation recommended to prevent tissue damage.
- The upper glute (ventrogluteal site) is anatomically safer than the lower glute for injections
- Testosterone absorption rates are equivalent between properly administered intramuscular injection sites
What it may miss
- It may not cover eligibility, contraindications, medication interactions, lab history, or dose escalation.
- Compound access, legal status, and product quality still need a separate safety check.
- Social video captions rarely show the full evidence base behind a claim.
Best next step
Compare the claim against a FormBlends guide, safety page, and licensed-provider review before acting.
Start provider reviewWhat You'll Learn
- The upper glute (ventrogluteal site) is anatomically safer than the lower glute for injections
- Testosterone absorption rates are equivalent between properly administered intramuscular injection sites
- Site rotation between different muscles prevents scar tissue buildup and absorption problems
- The ventrogluteal site avoids the sciatic nerve, which runs through the lower buttock area
- Comfort levels are generally better with upper glute compared to lower glute injections
- Outer thigh injections may be more practical for self-administration than upper glute
- Proper injection technique matters more than the specific muscle group chosen
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About the Creator
Kirsten Nelson · TikTok creator
22.4K views on this video
Why the Upper Glute? Using the upper glute muscle is beneficial because it is large and well-vascularized, allowing for better absorption of testosterone. It also minimizes the risk of hitting nerves
Read More on This Topic
Our written guides go deeper with dosing details, comparison tables, and medical-team reviewed protocols.
Not medical advice. This video was made by Kirsten Nelson, not by FormBlends. Our write-up above is an editorial review, not a medical recommendation. Talk to your doctor before making any decisions about medications or treatments.