Nandrolone Decanoate – Deca Durabolin – Norma
Deca Durabolin is widely regarded as one of the safest and effective steroids. Nandrolone is commonly used as a base in a steroid cycle. Nandrolone is an anabolic steroid that is both present in the human body and also made synthetic. The levels in the human body are very low to account for any significant effects. It is a byproduct when other hormones breakdown in our body. Of all the anabolic steroids, it is one of the most widely abused steroids by athletes and bodybuilders.
It is often sold under several names including DECA Durabolin or Durabolin. Both the synthetic forms are long acting drugs. The drug possesses both androgenic and anabolic activities. When taken at low doses, it is a powerful anabolic drug but at high doses, it also possesses significant androgenic effects.
Indications
Nandrolone was once used for the treatment of osteoporosis and aplastic anemias. In the 80s it was used to treat severely emaciated patients in hospitals. However, since the 80s and 90s, the widespread abuse of the drug has led to it removal from the clinical market. No clinical condition in medicine is treated with nandrolone.
Bodybuilders
When the drug is taken on orally, it is rapidly absorbed from the stomach. However, the oral pills are no longer available on the market. The synthetic formulations are longer acting and have to be injected intramuscularly. When the drug is injected intramuscularly, it should only be administered once a week. Nandrolone is a potent anabolic steroid and is known to cause an increase in muscle mass, stimulate appetite and increase red blood cell production.
This ability of nandrolone to increase red cells has been widely quoted as a cause of the improved exercise performance after taking the drug.
Nandrolone is slowly broken down by the liver and is also converted to estrogen by the enzyme aromatase. The levels of estrogen are responsible for causing the gynecomastia and water retention. However, this conversion to estrogen only occurs when high doses of nandrolone are used.
Nandrolone is often used in combination with many other hormones, like Clomiphene, Anavar and growth hormone. Most people cycle the drug every month. This avoids the side effects and maintains the body weight.
Side effects
Nandrolone does have a wide range of side effects when it is used for a long time. When used at low doses, the side effects are rare and minor. Infact, except for bloating and nausea, most people do not notice anything significant. However, at high doses, the most common side effects include:
- fatigue, tiredness
- weight gain
- water retention
- acne
- oily skin
- jaundice
- gynecomastia
- decreased libido
- testicular atrophy
- mood swings- depression, anger, aggressiveness
- loss of hair
- decrease HDL
- increase LDL
- jawbone growth
The majority of these side effects reverse when the drug is stopped. Some of the side effects like oily skin and acne do persist for a few months after the drug is stopped. In females, the virilizing effects are not always reversible.
Dosage
Nandrolone is available as a pill and also a liquid for injection. The pill formulations appear to have disappeared from the market and many bodybuilders had difficulty putting on weight with the drug. The longer acting nandrolone in injection form is used today by all bodybuilders. The oily liquid formulation should only be injected into the buttock area and this site should be frequently rotated to prevent abscess formation. When large volumes are injected in the buttocks, there may be pain and a constant ache. The recommended dose of nandrolone decanoate is 200-1000mg/week. If no effects are seen after 6 months of use, the drug must be discontinued. One should be aware that when no effects are seen after long term use of the steroid, one must suspect a fake formulation- which is not unheard of.
Nandrolone liquid preparations do often breakdown and if the product is discolored or appears clumped it should not be used.
Women
Because nandrolone can cause virilization with signs like deepening of voice, excessive hair growth, acne, enlargement of the clitoris and menstrual irregularities, this drug should be avoided. Many of the side effects of nandrolone disappear once the drug is stopped, but the masculanizing features are not always reversible. The dose in females is about 50mg/per week. Females should stay with the low dose to avoid the development of virilizing effects.
Contraindications
Like all anabolic steroids, nandrolone should not be taken by individuals who have:
- breast cancer (either male or female)
- prostate cancer
- those who allergies to steroids
- individuals with cancer and high levels of calcium
- pregnant
Classification
Nandrolone is classified under the Controlled Substance Act as a Schedule 3 drug. The drug is hard to find and at present all the nandrolone available is illegal. While many sellers claim to have it smuggled in from Europe, Asia and Mexico, the authenticity of the product should be in question. No pharmaceutical company makes nandrolone for medical use. Currently possession, selling or using nandrolone is considered a crime in the USA.
Detection
Nandrolone is easily detected in the urine. The testing done today is sophisticated and widely accepted in the scientific community. However, because nandrolone is also made by the body tiny amounts are always found in the urine. Baseline studies on thousands of individuals have shown that nandrolone levels in the urine are less than 0.4 ng/ml. Further, it is also known that false positives can occur with the test.
In any case anyone with a level of more than 2 nanogram/ml of urine is suspected of doping or has some explaining to do. Excess consumption of the essential amino acid lysine sometimes does cause false elevated levels of nandrolone. Metabolites of other anabolic drugs can also interfere with the test. The testing has now become more refined and a wide variety of metabolites are checked to diminish the incidence of false positives.
All sports organizations check for nandrolone in the urine. Nandrolone has been found in the urine months after stopping the drug. Further, the testing today is now very sophisticated and traces of nandrolone can even be detected in hair.
Cost
Deca Durabolin (nandrolone) is somewhat difficult to obtain. There are many sites on the internet who claim to be selling the anabolic steroid nandrolone, but the quality of the product remains questionable. Many of these so called nandrolone formulations have been found to be fake or counterfeit. The lure of easy money has created a market of selling sham products which are harmless- and that is perhaps one major reason why the majority of anabolic steroids bought in cyberspace have no real effect on the body.
The cost is also quite variable since everyone is claiming to having the real Nandrolone. On average the cost of a 100 mg/ml 2 cc vial costs about $ 20, others charge about $75 for 1 vial containing 10 cc.
Despite all the sellers claiming that nandrolone is available, in reality, the product does not exist. Even if you go to a reliable source to buy your nandrolone, the actual ingredient in the bottle remains unknown. Governments all over the world have shut down illicit production of nandrolone, so the product is not manufactured anymore. There are a few laboratories that do make their own nandrolone, but the product is not for commercial use. Plus, nandrolone made in home made laboratories using kitchen supplies and unsterile chemicals is more likely to be full of contaminants. The DEA frequently raids homes and businesses making synthetic steroids and the penalties are not frivolous.
Warning
Nandrolone is generally a safe drug when used at low doses. However, it still has the potential to cause liver damage and all users must get their liver enzymes checked out regularly. One other serious complication of nandrolone is that it can cause blood clots in the legs which can travel to your lungs. Many cases of pulmonary embolism have been reported. So if you take nandrolone, you should be aware of the clot forming potential of this drug. The two ways to prevent clot formation are to remain active or stop taking the drug.
Like all anabolic steroid, there is great concern that long term use of nandrolone can lead to development of liver cancers. There are isolated case reports of liver masses developing in patients who have abused this drug. Further, the lowering of the protective HDL cholesterol may lead to an increase in heart problems later in life.
It is highly recommended that all individuals who taken nandrolone, be supervised by someone in health care. The liver enzymes, lipid levels and red blood cell levels should be monitored to prevent complications.
Final Advice
Keep away from nandrolone and try something else. The real product simply is not available.
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.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.