Biote Testosterone Reviews for Men: Cost, Risks & What to Ask (2026)
Biote testosterone reviews for men: pellets may fit men with confirmed low testosterone who want fewer treatment tasks. They're compounded, not FDA-approved, and harder to adjust than shorter-acting options. Fertility plans or a preference for an approved product point elsewhere. Our seven-clinic audit found $450–$850 insertion fees; the lowest rate requires membership.
Biote is a real, publicly traded company, and its pellets contain real testosterone. Some lots were also recalled in 2026.
So is Biote worth it? For one kind of man, it can be. For a first-timer who wants easier dose changes, a more adjustable format may fit better. The difference comes down to a few questions to put on paper. We'll give you all of them below, plus the first-year fees we could verify.
Your answer changes if: you haven't had two early-morning testosterone tests, your red blood cell count already runs high, you're planning to have kids, you want an FDA-approved product, or you live in a state where online options are limited.
Biote for men at a glance
TRT Provider Guide is the independent decision resource for testosterone replacement therapy — helping U.S. adults understand how low testosterone is evaluated, compare online and local care models and providers, and choose the next step that fits their health needs, fertility plans, budget, state, and care preferences, with every material claim verified and dated.
This is educational information, not medical advice. A licensed clinician decides whether treatment is right for you. If you have chest pain, trouble breathing, or severe belly pain, get emergency care now. New leg swelling or pain needs prompt medical assessment.
What we actually verified (November 4–5, 2026)
- Sources checked: 7 Biote clinic price pages (California, Florida, South Carolina, Louisiana, Missouri, and Iowa); Biote's SEC filings and 2025 annual report; FDA recall and inspection records; the Testopel prescribing label; the American Urological Association (AUA) and Endocrine Society testosterone guidelines; Male Excel and Hone Health pricing pages.
- Confirmed in the cited records: the recall's start date, class, and affected testosterone products; Biote's ownership of Asteria Health and disclosed use of outside suppliers during the recall; the January 29, 2025 dismissal without prejudice of the cited federal lawsuit.
- Provider-stated, checked on public pages: clinic prices, intervals, and fee inclusions; Biote's network size; Male Excel and Hone Health prices, policies, and service areas. Hone identifies its advertised injectable testosterone as compounded. We verified what the pages say, not delivery of care or a patient's final bill.
- Not confirmed: a complete written year-one quote for a patient; whether a specific patient's pellets came from a recalled lot; the status of later proceedings after the cited federal dismissal; individual clinician licenses, appointment openings, or the dispensing source for a particular prescription.
- What this is not: a hands-on review. We didn't receive pellets, visit a clinic, or book a consultation.
The right TRT provider is not the same for every person — it depends on whether low testosterone has been properly evaluated, your symptoms and health history, your fertility plans, your state, your insurance or cash-pay preference, your treatment-format preference, your budget, and whether online or in-person care is the better starting point. Some situations belong with primary care, urology, endocrinology, reproductive urology, or urgent or emergency care when the symptoms warrant it. Because a general answer cannot resolve those for you, use TRT Provider Guide's Find My TRT Path tool to check the featured Male Excel TRT offer's age and state eligibility. It's educational, takes about a minute, and doesn't diagnose low testosterone, decide medical eligibility, choose a specialist, or guarantee a prescription.
What do Biote testosterone reviews for men actually say?
The useful trade-off in men's Biote reviews is convenience versus control: no weekly shots, but an office procedure and less flexibility after insertion. Concerns to check include energy fading before the next insertion, a rising red blood cell count, a pellet working its way out, cost, and supplement upsells. A review tells you about one clinic and one man's experience; it can't tell you whether pellets fit you.
Here's the thing most review pages skip. "Biote" on a review could mean a woman on estradiol pellets, a man on testosterone, a great urologist, or a med spa that offers pellets alongside cosmetic treatments. Same brand. Very different experiences.
A Reddit user asking about testosterone pellets generally wrote in January 2024: "I'm hearing soooo many mixed views on it" (thread). That thread captures uncertainty about pellets, not a verified Biote treatment review.
The concerns worth checking
How to read a Biote review without getting fooled
Look for four things: the reviewer is a man, it's clearly Biote (not another pellet brand), he says how long he's been treated, and he names a concrete problem or win — billing, follow-up, side effects, response time. Glowing reviews with no details and angry ones with no details tell you the same amount: very little.
Forum stories also can't prove pellets work or cause harm. A man who posted in October 2025 described almost two years on Biote with mixed results (thread). That's useful for one thing: knowing what to ask about if your symptoms don't improve.
For broader pellet experiences beyond Biote, see our testosterone pellets reviews.
What is Biote, and who actually makes the pellet in your hip?
Biote is a Texas-based public company that trains and certifies independent clinicians, then supplies them with hormone pellets and supplements. Your care comes from the local clinic, not from Biote. Biote's pellets come from compounding facilities, including Asteria Health, which Biote owns — and during the 2026 recall, Biote also bought pellets from outside suppliers.
That last part matters more than most men realize. "Biote" on your bill tells you who trained your clinician. It doesn't tell you which facility made the pellet in your hip.
Biote for men: the fact sheet
What "Biote Certified Provider" means
It means a clinician finished Biote's training program. It's not a medical board certification, and it doesn't tell you their specialty. A Biote provider could be a urologist, a family doctor, a nurse practitioner, or a med spa clinician. Check the actual person's license and experience separately.
What testosterone is, legally
Testosterone is a prescription drug and a Schedule III controlled substance in the U.S. That means a licensed prescriber has to evaluate you and write the prescription. A brand name, a directory listing, or a certificate on the wall doesn't change that.
Are Biote testosterone pellets FDA-approved?
No. Biote pellets are compounded, which means the FDA has not reviewed the finished product for safety, effectiveness, or quality. An FDA-approved testosterone pellet does exist — Testopel — and the American Urological Association advises using commercially made testosterone instead of compounded testosterone when possible.
Let's make this simple.
- FDA-approved means the exact finished product went through FDA review before it could be sold. Testopel is one. So are generic testosterone cypionate injections and approved gels.
- Compounded means a pharmacy or outsourcing facility makes the product without that product-level FDA approval. That's Biote's pellets. Compounding must meet applicable federal and state requirements. It's just a different category.
- A 503B outsourcing facility (like Asteria) registers with the FDA and gets inspected. Registration still doesn't make its products FDA-approved.
Biote pellets vs. Testopel
Sources: Testopel label on DailyMed; AUA Testosterone Deficiency Guideline. The AUA's statement on compounded products is in its guideline document.
If you want the convenience of pellets and an FDA-approved product, ask a urologist about Testopel. Some plans require other testosterone products to be tried first, so ask early. For example, Western Health lists prior injection trials among its Testopel criteria.
Claims we found on Biote clinic pages — and what the evidence says
We read the pages clinics use to sell Biote. A few claims came up that a man should know how to answer.
How much does Biote cost for men in 2026?
At the seven Biote clinics we checked, published insertion fees run $450 to $850; the $450 rate requires membership. The first-year cost depends on the clinic's interval, evaluation, labs, membership, and payment fees, so we calculated a subtotal for each clinic and listed the fees still to confirm.
We built this audit so you can compare more than a sticker price. A number for insertion alone cannot tell you what a full year of care will cost.
The Biote Men's Price Audit (checked November 4, 2026)
How we counted: We read each clinic's public price page. "Insertions in the first 12 months" counts visits that start within your first year at the clinic's own stated interval. Every 5 months means months 0, 5, and 10 — that's three, not "2.4." Totals use only published fees. Unknown fees are listed, not counted as $0. These are scenarios using clinic-stated intervals, not recommended schedules, national averages, or confirmed patient bills. Ask whether the initial price includes the repeat early-morning test needed to confirm a low result.
Coastal's 100-mg and 200-mg labels describe pellet-strength tiers, not a total dose for you. EBO totals assume you keep membership for all 12 months; its minimum commitment is shorter. Rejuvené's two- and three-round figures are scenarios because it does not publish a fixed male interval.
What the audit tells you
- Same brand, nearly double the insertion fee. $450 at one clinic, $850 at another. The $450 is a member rate; membership costs extra.
- The schedule costs as much as the sticker. A 4-month interval means three insertions in year one. A 6-month interval means two. Ask which one you're on before you compare quotes.
- Price tiers are real. Some clinics charge by pellet strength, number, or prescribed dose. Your first quote may not be your real price.
- A listed insertion price is not necessarily the full bill. Check required membership, evaluation, labs, follow-up scope, and payment surcharges.
- Check insurance separately. Several reviewed clinics explicitly describe insertion as self-pay or say they do not bill insurance. Lab coverage and possible reimbursement vary by clinic and plan.
A worked example you can check yourself
Rejuvené in New Orleans lists every main piece, so it's easy to follow.
Rejuvené lists a 2.9% fee for credit, debit, and hand-entered online card payments, or 6% for over-the-phone card payments. The page does not establish the number or price of labs after round 2. The $349 due at registration is listed on the page, but whether it's refundable if you're not a candidate isn't stated. Ask.
Does insurance or an HSA help?
Do not assume insurance will pay for compounded pellets. Some clinics use insurance for lab work, and Coastal HRT lists a $125 evaluation option when labs are processed through insurance; your lab share may still apply. HSA or FSA funds may be usable for eligible medical expenses; confirm the exact charges with your administrator. If insurance matters most to you, an FDA-approved option through a covered urologist or primary care doctor is the more realistic path.
What if you cancel or decide against treatment?
Terms come from the local clinic. EBO lists a 90-day minimum membership and 30-day written cancellation notice. Coastal HRT asks for at least 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule; refunds are decided case by case. Rejuvené's page does not say whether its registration payment is refundable. Get your clinic's terms before paying.
For wider pellet pricing beyond Biote, including Testopel, see our testosterone pellets cost guide.
Want to see your real number? Use the Biote quote worksheet below — fill in your clinic's quote and spot what's missing before you pay.
Were Biote testosterone pellets recalled in 2026?
Yes: on January 26, 2026, Biote's pellet maker, Asteria Health, voluntarily recalled certain hormone-pellet lots shipped starting May 20, 2025 because of possible metal particles. The FDA classified it as a Class II recall. It included testosterone pellets from 12.5 mg to 303 mg and combination pellets with anastrozole or triamcinolone acetonide.
If you're already on Biote, take a breath. A Class II recall means the FDA judged the problem could cause temporary or medically reversible health effects, with serious harm unlikely. And not every Biote pellet was part of it.
What was recalled
Sources: Biote SEC filing; FDA enforcement records; Biote Q2 2026 results.
Worth noticing: some recalled pellets combined testosterone with anastrozole, a drug that lowers estrogen. If you're a man on Biote, you may not know whether your pellet contains anything besides testosterone. Ask.
How to check your own pellets
- Ask your clinic for the product name, strength, manufacturer, and lot number for each insertion.
- Ask whether any of those lots were in the January 2026 recall, and what they did about it.
- Watch your insertion site. Call your clinic if it gets redder, more swollen, more painful, or drains.
- Report any problem to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Don't try to remove a pellet yourself, and don't change any other medicine on your own.
Two older FDA items worth knowing
- December 2025: The FDA issued a Form 483 to Asteria Health after an inspection. A 483 lists what inspectors observed. It's not a final FDA ruling.
- September 2019: The FDA publicly said BioTE Medical hadn't submitted adverse-event reports it received from 2013 to 2018 (FDA statement). That's about reporting, not proof that pellets caused those events.
What does research show about Biote pellets for men?
Testosterone treatment can improve some symptoms in men with properly diagnosed low testosterone, but no study we found shows Biote pellets work better than other testosterone. Biote's own large study recorded complications and treatment continuation; it wasn't a controlled comparison of symptom benefits. Side effects come from testosterone itself plus a few that are specific to pellets.
Benefits: keep the study and the product together
The strongest recent evidence comes from the TRAVERSE trial. In men aged 45 to 80 with confirmed low testosterone, low sex drive, and heart disease or high heart risk, testosterone gel improved sexual desire and activity compared with placebo. It didn't improve erectile function (Pencina et al., 2024). That was gel, not Biote pellets.
So be wary of any clinic promising weight loss, more muscle, sharper thinking, or "anti-aging." Those claims go past what the evidence supports for pellets.
What Biote's own study measured
Biote's founder published a large retrospective study in 2021 covering 1,204,012 implantation procedures. It looked at complications and continued treatment, reported by the practitioners themselves.
Keep three limits in mind. Most patients were women. The data were self-reported by Biote practitioners. And the lead author founded Biote. In this dataset, reported extrusion events were roughly six times as frequent as reported infections in men's procedures, and the extrusion rate was higher in men than in women (study).
Side effects to know about
- Higher red blood cell count. Testosterone can raise hematocrit. The AUA says clinicians should check hemoglobin and hematocrit before starting. If it climbs too high, your clinician may investigate the cause and change treatment. That's a clinician's call, not a do-it-yourself fix.
- Blood pressure. In 2025, the FDA required added or stronger blood pressure warnings for approved testosterone products (FDA). In June 2026, the FDA asked makers of approved testosterone products for further label updates (HHS). None of this makes compounded pellets FDA-approved. Blood pressure should be checked during treatment.
- Blood clots in veins. FDA-approved testosterone labels warn about them. New leg swelling or pain needs prompt medical assessment. Chest pain or sudden shortness of breath needs emergency care.
- Acne, oily skin, hair changes, breast tenderness. Possible testosterone effects. Some are tied to estradiol (a form of estrogen your body makes from testosterone).
- Prostate. The AUA says to check PSA (prostate-specific antigen, a blood test) before treatment in men over 40.
- Insertion problems. Bruising, soreness, infection, or extrusion.
- Fertility. Testosterone from outside the body can lower sperm production. The AUA says it shouldn't be prescribed to men who are currently trying to conceive. Recovery after stopping isn't guaranteed and varies by person.
Can you adjust or remove Biote pellets if the dose is too high?
Once pellets are under your skin, their release can't be dialed down on demand; side effects need clinician review, and removal requires a procedure that may not be simple or feasible. Shorter-acting injections and topical products offer more flexible changes under a clinician's care.
This is the real trade-off to settle before you choose pellets. It's not that pellets don't work. It's that changing the plan after insertion is harder. Call your clinic if you have side effects or symptoms return before your next visit.
The FDA-approved pellet's own label says pellets are less flexible for dose changes than injections (Testopel label). That label also allows for removal if complications require treatment to stop; it does not establish that every compounded pellet can be removed easily.
Why this matters most for first-timers
If you've never been on testosterone, you don't know how your body will respond. Will your red blood cell count jump? Will you get acne? Will you feel better at a lower dose? A more adjustable format gives your clinician more flexibility while checking your response. A pellet can keep releasing testosterone for months during that process.
The "crash" before the next pellet
If symptoms return before the next insertion, ask your clinic to reassess them. The FDA-approved pellet's label says its effect usually lasts 3 to 4 months, sometimes 6. That is Testopel's label, not a study of Biote's duration. Several Biote clinics schedule men every 5 to 6 months. Ask about follow-up testing and what happens if symptoms return before your next insertion.
Want the full side-by-side? See testosterone pellets vs. injections and pellets vs. cream.
TRT Provider Guide has an affiliate relationship with Male Excel and may earn a commission from eligible referrals. Clearly labeled Male Excel commercial links are paid referrals; pricing, terms, and research citations link directly to official pages. Commissions never decide which option we say fits you. Read our affiliate disclosure.
If being able to change your dose matters more to you than skipping shots, Male Excel advertises a provider review every 60 days, with changes when clinically needed. Its injections and cream allow changes to future doses without another pellet procedure. Membership includes lab testing every 6 months, according to the provider.
See Male Excel's current pricing and included care → (paid referral)
Not available in AL, AK, AR, CT, HI, ID, LA, MN, MS, NH, or RI.
Is there a Biote lawsuit?
A proposed class action filed in West Virginia in 2024 alleged serious injury from Biote's treatment approach, but the federal case was dismissed without prejudice on January 29, 2025 after the plaintiff's voluntary dismissal. The order did not decide the allegations, and we have not verified the status of later related cases.
The West Virginia Record's 2024 report described allegations that:
- The man's starting testosterone was low, and his hematocrit was already elevated before treatment.
- Biote's software was used to recommend the testosterone pellet dose.
- About a month later, his testosterone was much higher than at baseline.
- He later developed a blood clot in an abdominal vein and needed surgery.
- The complaint accuses Biote of pushing hormone levels above normal and of misrepresenting its role in making pellets.
The January 29, 2025 dismissal order in federal case 2:24-cv-00506 did not decide those allegations. One man's story doesn't tell you how often anything happens.
You'll also see online claims about a separate dispute between Biote and its founder. That was a business disagreement, not a patient-safety case (Biote annual report).
What a man can take from this: know your starting hematocrit and testosterone, ask how your dose was chosen, and ask for a lab check a few weeks after your first insertion. Those three questions would matter at any clinic.
Who should get Biote pellets — and who should start somewhere else?
Biote may fit a man with properly confirmed low testosterone who strongly dislikes injections, accepts limited adjustment, and has a clinic that checks labs between insertions. Doing well on testosterone before can inform that choice, but it is not a prerequisite. A man with an incomplete workup, fertility plans, a high red blood cell count, or a wish to adjust quickly should start elsewhere.
First, has your low testosterone actually been confirmed?
Under the AUA guideline, diagnosis requires symptoms or signs and consistently low testosterone on two separate early-morning tests, ideally at the same lab. Below 300 ng/dL is a reasonable supporting cutoff, not a universal diagnosis rule (AUA). The Endocrine Society calls for repeat morning, fasting testing with accurate assays and looking for the cause; free testosterone may also be needed in selected cases (Endocrine Society).
Total testosterone is all the testosterone in your blood. A diagnosis is not one number on one test. Not a symptom quiz.
A careful workup before pellets usually also includes:
- LH (luteinizing hormone) — a signal from your brain that tells your testicles to make testosterone. It helps find the cause.
- Prolactin, if LH is low or low-normal.
- Hemoglobin and hematocrit.
- PSA, if you're over 40.
- Estradiol, if you have breast symptoms.
The AUA does not support pushing testosterone as high as possible. If a clinic talks about "optimizing" you beyond normal levels, ask why.
See our full guide: how low testosterone is diagnosed.
Find yourself in this table
Fertility is the one to take seriously. If kids are in your plans, speak with a fertility-aware clinician before choosing pellets — or any testosterone. Read TRT and fertility first.
Questions to ask a Biote clinic before you pay
Ask for a written year-one quote, the name of the clinician treating you, the exact pellet and who made it, how your dose was chosen, and the plan if side effects show up. A good clinic answers all of it. If a key answer is missing, get it before the procedure — not after.
Print this, or copy it into your phone. Leave a field blank until the clinic answers. A blank isn't a red flag. A refusal is.
The Biote clinic worksheet
Your year-one quote check
Add only quoted, required charges. If something's unpriced, write it down separately. Unknown isn't zero.
This worksheet organizes a conversation. It doesn't diagnose you, choose a dose, or replace medical care.
Got your questions ready and still want Biote? Find a Biote provider near you to ask these questions →
The directory lists practices. It doesn't confirm a clinic treats men, is taking new patients, or has checked your eligibility.
Biote vs. injections, cream, and Testopel: which fits you, and what does year one cost?
Pellets win on fewer treatment tasks, while injections and creams allow more flexible changes; FDA status depends on the exact product. Testopel gives you pellets in an FDA-approved form. In year one, Biote isn't automatically more expensive than online TRT — the real difference is what your money buys.
Side by side (prices checked November 4, 2026)
Male Excel figures come from its pricing page, test package, and FAQ. The $120 and $132 medication cards include testosterone with thyroid medication; they are not verified testosterone-only prices or a reason to add thyroid treatment. Supplies are sold in 60-day amounts and billed every other month, plus shipping. The annual figures assume 12 membership payments and six such supplies; they are not verified calendar-year invoices.
Hone's Premium details list testosterone from $28 per vial, while its product page says from $28 per month. That makes $2,286 an illustration, not a confirmed annual bill. Premium says shipping, scheduled follow-up labs, and consultations are included. Your actual medication cost depends on your prescribed dose.
Testing and pharmacy questions before paying: Male Excel's $99 package uses an at-home blood-spot test; its pages do not itemize a repeat early-morning diagnostic test. Ask how confirmation will be done and what it costs. Hone Premium lists an at-lab initial panel and a separate $25 confirmatory test. Neither service's pages reviewed established which pharmacy would dispense a particular reader's prescription; ask for its name before paying. Male Excel's terms also say prescriptions use its contracted pharmacies and cannot be sent to a pharmacy of your choice.
Online does not mean no prescribing rules. As of November 5, 2026, DEA and HHS telemedicine flexibilities run through December 31, 2026. They let DEA-registered clinicians prescribe Schedule II–V medicines without a prior in-person visit when the rule's conditions are met. State law, clinician licensing, and the clinical situation still apply; an online form does not guarantee a prescription.
The honest trade-off
Male Excel does NOT use FDA-approved testosterone, and it doesn't take insurance. Its testosterone and Biote's pellets are both compounded; they are different preparations. If an FDA-approved product or insurance coverage is your priority, a local urologist or primary care doctor prescribing generic testosterone — or Testopel, if you still want pellets — is the better fit.
Because Male Excel uses injections or cream, its prescriber can change future doses without an insertion or removal procedure. It advertises 60-day reviews, unlimited provider access and support-team messaging, and labs every 6 months with the $99 membership. It also advertises no contract and cancellation anytime, but its refund policy makes prescription sales final. Its general terms make other charges, including membership fees, nonrefundable unless a written exception applies. Confirm when cancellation takes effect before the next charge. For a man whose main worry is "what if the dose is wrong," easier adjustment is the point.
Male Excel also advertises a 90-day guarantee. Qualifying new members who follow the plan continuously for 90 days and do not improve can request their first three months of membership fees back within the next 30 days, subject to the provider's review. Medication and other charges are excluded. Read the guarantee terms before you count on it.
Male Excel is an affiliate partner; clearly labeled commercial links are paid referrals, while research citations link directly to official pages.
Does daily dosing with a 60-day check-in sound like what you've been looking for?
Start Male Excel's free online assessment → (paid referral)
An assessment isn't a diagnosis or prescription. A licensed provider decides after reviewing your history, appropriate repeat testing, and other clinical needs.
If you live where Male Excel doesn't
Here's something we noticed lining up the maps. Biote's 10 core states in its 2025 annual report include Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Male Excel doesn't prescribe in any of those four.
If you're in Mississippi, Hone's current state table lists men's hormone care there. It does not list men's hormone care in Alabama, Arkansas, or Louisiana; a local urologist or primary care clinician is the next route to check in those three states. Availability varies by program, so confirm the exact service before paying.
Hone Health's Premium setup: a $65 at-lab panel advertised as covering 50+ biomarkers, a physician consult, a $25 confirmatory test when TRT is being considered, then $155 a month for ongoing care; medication costs extra. Its current plan guide also lists Plus at $135 a month for men's hormone care. Basic at $25 a month does not include hormone therapy.
Hone says you can cancel anytime, but membership and prescription orders need separate cancellation. Processed or shipped prescriptions are not refundable, and there are no partial-month membership refunds (policy).
Non-testosterone options are a separate decision. Hone also lists clomiphene and enclomiphene, which aren't testosterone. They work differently and aren't interchangeable with TRT. Clomiphene's approved use is ovulatory dysfunction (problems releasing an egg) in women trying to become pregnant; use in men is off-label, meaning outside the approved use. Enclomiphene alone has no FDA-approved product (FDA meeting record; current federal guidance). Neither should be treated as a promise to preserve fertility; fertility-led care belongs with an appropriate specialist.
Want a wide lab panel before anyone talks treatment?
Check whether Hone Health offers TRT in your state →
Not ready to pick anything? Compare online TRT vs. a local clinic or see what TRT costs.
Already on Biote? How to switch or stop safely
Don't stop or start anything without a clinician. Pellets keep releasing testosterone for months, so timing a switch matters. Collect your records, last labs, and pellet lot numbers, then plan the handoff with whoever treats you next.
If you're reading this because something feels off, you're not stuck, and you're not being difficult for asking questions. Here's the order that keeps things calm.
1. Get your records
Ask your Biote clinic for:
- Every lab result, especially testosterone, hematocrit, and PSA
- The date of your last insertion
- The product name, strength, manufacturer, and lot number for each insertion
- Any notes about side effects or dose changes
HIPAA-covered practices generally must give you access to your medical and billing records, with limited exceptions (HHS). Ask in writing.
2. Tell your next clinician your last insertion date
That date, your records, symptoms, and follow-up tests help them assess how much testosterone may still be releasing. They'll decide when and how to start anything new. Don't start a second testosterone product on your own while pellets are still active.
3. If you're stopping testosterone altogether
Symptoms may come back as the pellets wear off. If fertility matters, talk to a urologist — sperm production can take time to recover, and recovery isn't guaranteed.
Male Excel says it regularly takes patients switching from other clinics. If online care sounds right, bring your records to the assessment.
Comparing online programs after discussing a switch with your clinician? Use Find My TRT Path →
How we checked this page
We read seven Biote clinic price pages, Biote's SEC filings, FDA recall and inspection records, the Testopel label, AUA and Endocrine Society guidelines, and Male Excel and Hone Health pricing pages on November 4–5, 2026. We didn't receive pellets or visit a clinic, and we don't give medical scores.
We follow How We Review TRT Providers. That means we keep four kinds of information separate:
- Verified fact — something we confirmed in a primary source, with a date.
- Provider-stated fact — what a company or clinic says about itself.
- Customer-experience signal — an individual report that helps identify questions but can't prove results or how common an experience is.
- Editorial conclusion — our judgment, based on the facts above.
We calculate cost from published fees and show the math, rather than repeating the lowest teaser price. Prices change, so we date them. We didn't include clinics whose pages were clearly out of date or didn't clearly identify as Biote providers.
This page is editorial research and hasn't been reviewed by a clinician. See our authors and medical reviewers policy. Our editorial standards explain how we handle evidence, and our privacy policy explains site data practices. Found an error? Tell us and we'll fix and date the correction.
Biote for men: frequently asked questions
Biote is a real company, but product approval, price, follow-up, and medical fit are separate questions. These answers cover the main checks before choosing a local clinic.
Is Biote legit or a scam?
Biote is a legitimate public company and its pellets contain real testosterone. That doesn't make the pellets FDA-approved, guarantee a good local clinic, or mean pellets fit you.
How much does Biote cost for men?
At the seven clinics we checked in November 2026, published insertion prices were $450 to $850, with the $450 rate limited to members. The clinic table shows first-year subtotals and missing fees. For example, EBO's three $450 insertions total $1,350, but 12 months of membership brings that to $2,538 for ages 19–64 or $2,250 for ages 65+, before labs.
How long do Biote pellets last in men?
Clinics we checked list every 3 to 6 months for men, depending on the product and treatment plan. Testopel's label says its effect usually lasts 3 to 4 months, sometimes 6; that does not establish Biote's duration. Your clinician sets your schedule.
Are Biote pellets FDA-approved?
No. They're compounded. Testopel is the FDA-approved testosterone pellet.
Does insurance cover Biote?
Several clinics we checked describe insertion as self-pay or say they do not bill insurance. Lab coverage and reimbursement vary. Ask about the exact charges, and check whether HSA or FSA funds can be used for eligible expenses.
Were Biote testosterone pellets recalled?
Yes. In January 2026, Asteria Health recalled specific lots of testosterone and other hormone pellets shipped starting May 20, 2025, for possible metal particles. Ask your clinic for your lot numbers.
Do Biote pellets raise hematocrit?
Testosterone can raise hematocrit in any form. Ask for your starting level and a follow-up check, and ask what your clinic does if it climbs.
Will Biote affect my fertility?
It can. Testosterone from outside the body can lower sperm production. If you're trying to conceive, see a reproductive urologist before starting. Recovery after stopping isn't guaranteed.
Can Biote pellets be removed?
Not easily. Removal takes a procedure and may be needed if complications require treatment to stop. Ask your clinician what is possible with your exact product; do not wait out side effects without medical advice.
Biote pellets or testosterone injections — which is better?
Neither is better for everyone. Pellets mean fewer tasks; injections mean faster dose changes and more FDA-approved choices. If you've never been on testosterone, an adjustable form lets you learn your dose first.
Do I have to take Biote supplements like DIM?
Ask your clinic which products are required. Supplements aren't FDA-approved drugs, and we found no guideline support for claims that DIM protects the testicles during testosterone treatment.
Is there a Biote lawsuit?
A proposed class action filed in West Virginia in 2024 made serious allegations. The federal case was dismissed without prejudice on January 29, 2025 after the plaintiff's voluntary dismissal. That did not decide the allegations; we have not verified the status of later related cases.
Can I get Biote online?
No. Pellet insertion is an in-office procedure. Some clinics may do follow-up visits remotely.
Can I switch from Biote to online TRT?
It may be possible, depending on your health needs, state, and the new clinician's assessment. Bring your records and last insertion date; your clinician decides the timing.
Is this a hands-on Biote review?
No. It's built from public sources: clinic price pages, SEC filings, FDA records, and medical guidelines. We didn't receive treatment or visit a clinic.
Still comparing online TRT programs? Use our free Find My TRT Path tool. It takes about a minute and checks age and state eligibility for the featured Male Excel TRT offer. If you're set on pellets, take the worksheet above to a local clinician.