Testosterone Enanthate
Testosterone is responsible for the normal growth and development of the male sex organs and for the maintenance of secondary sexual characteristics. The drug can affect the growth of the prostate, testes, seminal vesicles, penis and scrotum and is also important for body growth. Although testosterone is an androgenic hormone, it possesses anabolic properties. Its use has been shown to promote protein synthesis and a positive nitrogen balance in the presence of a rich low calorie diet.
Testosterone also has the ability to cause a slight increase in the production of red blood cells by stimulating the synthesis of EPO from the kidney. This leads to an increase in red blood cells and thus an increase in oxygen carrying capacity.
When testosterone is taken over a long period of time, it inhibits the release of gonadotropins from the pituitary gland through a negative feedback mechanism. At high doses it may even inhibit spermatogenesis.
Testosterone also has the ability to cause a slight increase in the production of red blood cells by stimulating the synthesis of EPO from the kidney. This leads to an increase in red blood cells and thus an increase in oxygen carrying capacity.
When testosterone is taken over a long period of time, it inhibits the release of gonadotropins from the pituitary gland through a negative feedback mechanism. At high doses it may even inhibit spermatogenesis.
Dosage
Testosterone enanthate (Delatestryl) only dissolves slowly after an intramuscular injection and therefore it should not be taken more than 1-2 times per month. The formulation comes as an esterified preparation of testosterone which is only meant to be administered by an intramuscular injection. The esterification of testosterone increases the duration of action of the testosterone. The preparation goes into a colourless to slightly yellow suspension of sesame oil. For medical applications, a dose of 250-500mg is used once a month.
Indications
Delatestryl is indicated in the treatment of conditions where testosterone is either deficient or absent. These conditions include:
- primary hypogonadism, where the testes have been injured and do not make the testosterone
- hypogonadism due to failure of the pituitary gland to release gonadotropins
- delayed puberty
In women with breast cancer, testosterone can help block the effect of estrogen and prevent further spread. It is an option instead of surgical removal of the ovaries.
In most cases of testosterone deficiency, therapy is required for a long time until the secondary sexual characteristics have been characteristically developed and growth is adequate.
Duration
Treatment of all individuals with testosterone anthate depends on age, sex, diagnosis and response to treatment and the occurrence of side effects. In general, the drug is well tolerated when prescribed as recommended. Delatestryl should always be injected into the gluteal muscles and not simply under the skin. The injection site should be rotated to prevent abscess formation. Another option is to inject the drug on the outside of the thigh. The drug should never be administered intravenously.
The dose of testosterone enanthate should not exceed 1000 mg per month because the drug has prolonged activity. It is extremely rare to give this drug once every fortnight. The drug should always be checked before injection. It is usually a colourless yellow suspension is clear. Particles or clumping indicates that the product has expired or is inactive. The duration of treatment varies from 4-6 months.
The drug should be stored at room temperature.
Bodybuilders
Many bodybuilders use Delatestryl during the off-season. The drug remains in the body for a long time and it is advisable not to use it during the active sports season. The drug definitely has anabolic and androgenic properties. However, the effects of the drug are not immediate and may take at least 3-4 weeks to become visible. Many bodybuilders also use other anabolic hormones such as GH/thyroxine in combination.
Because testosterone also converts to estrogen in fat tissue, many bodybuilders develop breast enlargement and store water. The dose used to increase muscle mass and strength is about 250-1000 mg/week. However, at the higher doses the drug has potent side effects and it is strongly recommended that all beginners start off with the low dose.
The increase in protein mass is gradual, but does not occur. Because the steroid also stimulates red blood cell production, many bodybuilders also find that they have an increased ability to perform under intense training conditions. Testosterone enanthate is preferred by most bodybuilders because it is readily available and has a number of benefits. It promotes health, increases athletic performance and leads to a positive nitrogen balance. There are reports that it also selectively reduces fat and increases muscle mass. Recent studies from the World Sport Agencies show that this particular drug can boost performance, increase muscle mass and still not be detected in the urine within the first few weeks. Even though the anabolic effects are not obvious, most people have noticed an increase in strength. Sometimes the water retention can be very dramatic and some individuals take a diuretic pill to remove it. To prevent breast enlargement, testosterone antanthate is cycled with drugs such as Arimidex or Tamoxifen. Most people take the testosterone for 4-6 weeks and then stop for a few weeks. During this phase, you can wash out with Arimidex.
Women
All testosterone analogues have the potential to cause virilizing effects if the duration of use is prolonged. In women, these virilizing signs can be deepened by speech, excessive hair growth, irregular menstruation, mood swings and enlargement of the clitoris. It is recommended that at the first sign of virilizing symptoms the drug should be stopped. The reason for this is that some of the virilizing signs may not be reversible even after stopping the steroid.
Side effects
Like all anabolic steroids, testosterone antanthate has a few side effects. These side effects are generally mild and well tolerated. The majority of people see that some side effects after 3-4 months of therapy. The most common side effects are:
- bleeding irregularities
- virilizing effects
- deepening of the voice
- enlargement of the clitoris
- gynaecomastia
- painful erections
- hair loss, acne oily skin
- retention of body water
- nausea, vomiting, jaundice
- liver cancer (rare)
- mental changes, depression, headaches, anxiety,
- increased serum cholesterol
While most of these side effects are reversible, the breast enlargement and some virilising effects are not. The concurrent use of oestrogens to reduce the side effects of virilisation is not always helpful.
In children, the use of testosterone must be closely monitored. It may accelerate bone maturation but does not increase compensatory linear growth – resulting in abnormal body distortion in the anatomy-esp. Jaw and face.
Warnings
The drug should be used very cautiously in people with:
- breast cancer and hypercalcaemia
- liver dysfunction
- prostate cancer
- heart problems
There have been isolated reports of individuals developing a dry cough, breathing difficulties after injection with Testosterone enanthate. This has been linked to the oil preparation or an impurity in the formulation.
All individuals using testosterone should have their liver enzymes and blood haematocrit checked regularly to ensure that they are within normal limits.
Recognition
Testosterone enanthate has a very long half-life in the body. For this reason, it is also detected in the urine long after it has been discontinued. Current techniques of testing can identify testosterone or its metabolites in the urine at least 3-4 weeks after the drug has been stopped. Infact, testing has also gone beyond urine tests. If the excessive use of testosterone is suspected, one can even detect traces of testosterone in the hair 2-4 months after the drug has been stopped.
However, one should know that the tests today testosterone anthate is not perfect. About 50% of people who take this steroid are missed based on testosterone / epitestosterone ratios.
Cost
The legal testosterone anthate is quite difficult to keep off. The majority of bodybuilders get their testosterone from the black market. Generic testosterone formulations in Europe and Mexico are widely available. The drug is not cheap and a vial of 250 mg can cost anywhere from $10-$20. Over the last 2 decades, the increasing scrutiny of these drugs by the DEA has led to unscrupulous dealers selling fake or counterfeit products. So in the end, it’s always up to the buyer.
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