Testosterone

Testosterone cycle needs no introduction.

The Primary androgen, it is responsible for a wide range of physiological functions in the human body including development of male characteristics during puberty, development of muscle tissue, bone density, strength and prostate development among others.

In a normal healthy male, the body produces testosterone to perform all these vital functions.

But not enough to produce the thick, slabs of muscle that we all yearn for.

That’s where synthetic testosterone comes into the picture.

Synthetic test increases your testosterone to supraphysiological levels allowing more of it to be used for building lean muscle tissue.

In any performance enhancement setting, it is used the foundational steroid around which, other compounds are added to a stack depending on the individual’s goals.

Ideally, there should be no steroid stack without exogenous testosterone and we’ll explain shortly the reason for it.

Irrespective of whether you are a natty fitness buff considering using anabolic steroids, or someone who’s used SARMS but looking to use real gear, this FAQ will explain the basics of Testosterone and also show you how to use it safely for a cycle.

What are the different forms of Testosterone?

First timers are often confused at the different names that are attached to the Testosterone hormone, like Testosterone Propionate and Test Cyp.

In essence, all of these are the same testosterone hormone. It’s just that they have different esters attached to it to control the release time.

The testosterone hormone without any ester attached to it would have an incredibly short half-life.

It would be absorbed instantly into the bloodstream following administration and it would be excreted from the system in just hours after this.

By adding an ester, this half-life is prolonged and the release is controlled.

There are three esters of testosterone that are primarily used in performance enhancement.

Testosterone Propionate:

Also called Test Prop in short, this is a short acting ester that has a fast release time. The advantage is that the therapeutic or anabolic effects can be felt much faster, typically in 7-days or so. The caveat is that it must be injected every two days to maintain stable levels of the hormone in the system.

Testosterone Cypionate:

Also called Test Cyp, this is the most commonly used Testosterone ester for TRT in the United States. In a performance enhancement setting, it is a medium-acting ester that peaks and stabilizes over an 8-10-day period.

Test Enanthate:

This is the longest acting ester of Testosterone with an active half-life of 14-days. If you hate pinning frequently, then this is the ester that you should be choosing for TRT use. However, both enanthate and Cypionate are considered interchangeable when using in a performance enhancement setting.

Irrespective of which ester of Test you choose, there will be no difference in the physical effects or results that you can achieve with it.

What are the effects of Testosterone?

Testosterone increases both strength and lean muscle tissue via different biological mechanisms.

Firstly, it increases Nitrogen retention, which allows the cells to hold more nitrogen, amplifying the rate of recovery and growth. It also increases glycogen synthesis which increases the supply of vital fuel for muscles during your workouts, increasing your muscle endurance and strength.

Secondly, it binds to androgen receptors triggering a cascade of positive effects including lipolysis and growth of lean muscle tissue. At the same time, it stimulates the production of more receptor cells in your muscles, thereby priming them for growth.

Lastly, it suppresses the release of glucocorticoid hormones which can otherwise cannibalize on your hard earned muscle tissue.

The resultant environment created due to all these effects is loosely called Anabolism, during which your body will constantly be in a state of recovery, repair and growth.

What is the right Testosterone dosage?

The right testosterone dosage for you will depend largely on your experience with the hormone and your personal goals from the cycle.

For TRT, a dosage of 200-300mg/week of Testosterone is prescribed. This is just a feather above the normal testosterone levels of a healthy, young male and it more than suffices to provide relief from the symptoms of low T.

In a steroid cycle, the recommended minimum dose is 500mg/week of Testosterone for beginners. This will put your testosterone to supraphysiological levels and if it is your first cycle, you will undergo a dramatic transformation.

More experienced users will increase or reduce the dose of Testosterone depending on the other compounds that they are stacking it with. For example, some users prefer a low dose of Testosterone while increasing their dose of 19-Nor compounds, because the risk of aromatization is lower with it.

Others will maintain a steady dose of testosterone for all their cycles.

That brings us to the most important point.

Is it necessary to use Testosterone in all steroid cycles?

When you introduce an exogenous androgenic hormone into your body, it will automatically signal to your endocrine system to shut off the production of testosterone.

This results in what’s commonly called a ‘Shut down’. Your body will no longer produce testosterone, even for vital functions.

However, not all exogenous hormones are an apt replacement for Test.

Anavar for example, is a poor substitute for test.

When the initial effects of these hormones start to fade, you will begin to feel the negative side effects of a shutdown, or a severe suppressed testosterone level.

Your energy will dissipate, you will feel lethargic, depressed and your cortisol levels will spike. This can negate all the gains that you make during the cycle.

Hence, it is always better to use Testosterone in every steroid cycle. This ensures that your body continues to get enough testosterone to keep your libido up, your mood elevated and your strength and energy levels high.

Not only this, having a bare minimum level of test will allow you to retain the gains that you make during the cycle.

What side effects can Testosterone cause?

Testosterone can cause both androgenic and estrogenic side effects.

Androgenic side effects include but are not limited to, acne, oily skin, hair loss, baldness, deepening voice, body hair growth and virilization in females3.

Estrogenic side effects are water retention, gynecomastia and high blood pressure4. The estrogenic side effects can be prevented by using an aromatase inhibitor during the cycle. Some people avoid using an AI and use a SERM instead.

Testosterone can also skew your cholesterol numbers. But it’s not as severe on your cholesterol as some other oral anabolic steroids are.

It will also cause Testicular atrophy as your endogenous testosterone production shuts down and a full PCT will be needed to restore your body’s natural hormonal production.

Detailed Information:

Testosterone Propionate

Overview and History of Testosterone Propionate

Testosterone Propionate is one of the many esterified variants of Testosterone available. It is an injectable compound with a slower rate of release than un-esterified Testosterone, but a faster rate of release than all other esterified forms commonly available. This is due to the larger Propionate ester attached to theTestosterone molecule. This augments the release rate and half-life of Testosterone to that of a faster release than other common esterified variants, such as Testosterone Enanthate or Testosterone Propionate. The majority of Testosterone products that have been designed are single products that contain a single esterified form (such as this one), as opposed to Testosterone products which consist of a blend of several different esterified variants in the liquid (such as Sustanon 250, for example). Testosterone that is un-esterified holds a very short half-life, making its use very inconvenient and impractical (Testosterone suspension is one such Testosterone product that consists of pure un-esterified Testosterone, and does not have an ester bonded to its structure). The Propionate ester expands Testosterone’s half-life to that of 4.5 days. Testosterone itself is considered the most natural and safest anabolic steroid any individual can use, and it is easily the most versatile and flexible anabolic steroid in terms of how it can be utilized in cycles and for different purposes and goals.

Testosterone Propionate’s details and information were first published and released in 1935 as a result of various methods to determine the best possible manner of maximizing the uses of Testosterone itself, because as mentioned above, Testosterone un-esterified possesses a very short half-life. Shortly afterwards, Schering AG (located in Germany) began manufacturing and releasing on the market the very first Testosterone Propionate product under the trade name Testoviron, which is to this day still a very popular brand name. Testosterone Propionate was the very first esterified variant of Testosterone to ever be created, and is the oldest used esterified form of Testosterone dating back to the mid-1930s. Because of this, vast amounts of Testosterone Propionate was found among the prescription drug market in the United States, and was the most widely utilized form of Testosterone in the world until the 1960s. During the 1950s, Testosterone Propionate was but only one of 3 available anabolic steroids in existence (Testosterone suspension, Testosterone Propionate, and Methyltestosterone). Today there exist hundreds of anabolic steroid analogues. A little known fact as well is that Testosterone Propionate was also developed into a buccal and sublingual format that was not very popular and subsequently discontinued during the 1980s. Sublingual and buccal forms are tablets designed to be absorbed by the mucous membranes under the tongue (sublingual) as the tablet dissolves or by the mucous membranes between the surface of the gums and the cheek/lip.

Testosterone Propionate enjoyed a great amount of medical uses for various medical treatments shortly after its release. These included: treatment for male androgen deficiency (andropause or hypogonadism), treatment for sexual dysfunction, and treatment for menopause, treatment for chronic dysfunctional uterine bleeding (menorrhagia), treatment for endometriosis, and many additional countless medical applications. Eventually, as with all anabolic steroids, Testosterone Propionate’s approved medical treatments were eventually reduced by the FDA as a result of the increased control over the prescription drug market granted to the FDA by the United States government. Eventually, Testosterone would only be utilized for male patients.

Testosterone Propionate is a very popular anabolic steroid, and as such, enjoyed a very wide and common availability not only in the US market, but globally even today. This is due in large part, however, to the fact that for a long time the only Testosterone preparation available was Testosterone Propionate, and not because of preference. Later on, more convenient esterified forms of Testosterone were developed (Testosterone Enanthate and Testosterone Cypionate) which exhibited longer half-lives and windows of release, which therefore appealed to more individuals who preferred less frequent injections, which is what the later developed esterified Testosterone formats provided. Today Testosterone Propionate is still sold on the American prescription drug market, but its use is lower than it historically has been, and how much longer it will remain on the market is under question due to the more common use of other forms of Testosterone that have been developed that are more convenient and comfortable to use for most people.

Chemical Characteristics of Testosterone Propionate

As previously mentioned, Testosterone Propionate is simply Testosterone with the Propionate ester bound to the Testosterone chemical structure. Specifically ‘Propionate’ is Propionic acid, but once bound to Testosterone it is properly referred to in chemistry as an ester bond (or ester linkage). Propanoic acid is bonded to the 17-beta hydroxyl group on the Testosterone structure. Esterified anabolic steroids are more fat soluble, and release slowly from the injection site – however, this is not the main reason as to why esters extend the release rate of the anabolic steroid. The primary reason for the augmentation of its half-life and release rate is because once Testosterone Propionate enters the bloodstream, enzymes work to break the bond between the ester and the hormone, which takes a varying amount of time. The end result is that the ester is removed from the hormone by enzymes, and what is left is pure Testosterone that is free to do its work in the body. This process of enzymes cleaving off the ester from the Testosterone molecule is what is responsible for the slower release rates. Testosterone alone with no ester bonded to it possesses a half-life of approximately 2 – 4 hours. When the Propionate ester is attached to it, creating Testosterone Propionate, the half-life of Testosterone is now extended to 4.5 days, providing a slower release and activity of the hormone.

Properties of Testosterone Propionate

The properties of Testosterone Propionate are what any individual would expect from any other type of Testosterone preparation, with the exception of the differing release rates and half-life. Testosterone is what could be considered quite literally the original anabolic steroid, which is manufactured endogenously naturally in all humans and in the vast majority of animal species. Because of this, Testosterone is considered the safest anabolic steroid for use, as every individual’s body is already accustomed to the effects of Testosterone only to a lesser degree. Essentially, the use of Testosterone for the purpose of physique and performance enhancement is simply the supplementation of additional hormones – the act of inserting more of a hormone into the body that it already manufactures and uses.

Testosterone itself possesses a moderate level of Estrogenic activity, whereby it holds a moderate affinity to bind to the aromatase enzyme (the enzyme responsible for the conversion of Testosterone into Estrogen). Therefore, a moderate level of aromatization is to be expected with Testosterone use unless an aromatase inhibitor is utilized (such as Arimidex, Aromasin and Letrozole) to inhibit the aromatase enzyme and therefore render it unable to aromatize any Testosterone into Estrogen. Therefore, Testosterone serves as a preferable compound for bulking but can also be utilized for cutting and fat loss phases as well. At the end of the day, however, Testosterone of any type is required in any cycle of any anabolic steroid if at least for the maintenance of proper physiological function of Testosterone in the body during a period in which the endogenous production of Testosterone has been suppressed or shut down from the use of anabolic steroids. Testosterone itself is also a very strong anabolic compound, suitable even on its own for any purpose, and is in fact suggested as the very first and only anabolic steroid that should be utilized in all first-time and beginner cycles.

Testosterone Propionate historically succumbed to the rumor among athletes and bodybuilders that it is better for cutting and fat loss phases, and many claimed that it provided less water retention than other esterified forms of Testosterone. This must be clarified as a large rumor and misunderstanding as a result of individuals developing improper conclusions not based on any proper scientific reasoning. As previously explained, the Propionate ester (or any ester affixed to Testosterone) is always broken off by enzymes in the body, after which 100% pure bio-identical Testosterone is left as a result. This Testosterone is then free to do its job in the body, and this occurs with all esterified forms of Testosterone. Therefore, the only possible augmentation that esterification has to Testosterone’s properties/effects are on its half-life and rate of release. If there is any difference in the actual reported experiences by different bodybuilders and athletes, it would most likely be extremely minimal, as the esters essentially only determine how much Testosterone is released into the bloodstream in any one given time frame.

Testosterone Propionate Side Effects

As far as steroids are concerned, the king of them is testosterone. It’s not only endogenously produced inside of the body (that’s a fancy way of saying naturally made) but it is also produced in other parts of the body as well. That makes it extremely important to keep in mind because it is something that is naturally beneficial and worthwhile to supplement. If you’re someone that is skeptical as far as using a steroid for long-term use, you might want to consider testosterone, especially the propionate version of it due to its effectiveness for long durations as a highly bioavailable steroid. It not only provides a high level of focus and aggression with standard dosages, but it is also relatively lax as far as side effects are concerned, but be aware, side effects do exist and should be noted.

For one, because the body is so well-adjusted to testosterone, it should be noted that when it comes to the propionate version of it, it is one of the most studied steroids in the entire world. It was one of the first steroids synthesized for exogenous use of something endogenously produced, so because of that alone, the world of science and sport is well-aware of just how effective testosterone can be in the long term. It’s definitely something you should value if you’re looking to enhance your capability as a sportsman or simply someone looking to take their recovery efforts to the next level. It makes testosterone a worthwhile supplement to try. The reason for this is due to the fact the “blueprint” that composes testosterone is something the human body is already fairly accustomed with. In comparison to other kinds of blueprints or formulas, it is something that is otherwise not able to withstand the full payload that one might expect from a typical dosage.

Aside from that, the benefits of testosterone and the comparatively low side effects are great when you juxtapose testosterone with another sort of compound like trenbolone or something similarly toxic and damaging.

Estrogenic Side Effects

When it comes to steroids, undoubtedly the side effects that scare people the most are those related to estrogen and its side effects. This is very common when you consider the fact that as a man, the primary reason you have masculine features is due to higher levels of testosterone in comparison to estrogen. For women, the inverse is true. This is very important to understand because whenever you dose with an exogenous compound, you’re going to throw your hormone levels out of whack. This means that whenever you do engage in using one of these compounds, you have to understand that whenever you introduce higher levels of androgenic (testosterone producing compounds) compounds, these are going to result in feedback levels of estrogen in response. This is very important to keep in mind because otherwise, you will be unable to stave off the bad effects that you would otherwise experience from the compound.

One of the most popular reactions that one can have when injecting testosterone is the typical estrogenic side effects that you would get with any androgen. The primary one that most people are afraid of is gynecomastia. It’s a very common symptom in men as a result of the estrogenic imbalance, and while it is more popularly seen in boys that reach puberty, it is actually present in men of adult age as well, especially when they abuse or misuse androgenic compounds. But aside from gyno, it is also possible to develop symptoms similar to those in women who have very high estrogenic activity. This would include bloating, increased variance in emotional capacity (i.e. getting emotionally loud, demonstratively upset more often, a whole host of other problems). These are very important to note because without keeping an eye on them you would be unable to discern between emotion or the next. This is primarily why it’s so important to monitor your symptoms because if they get really out of control, it may be too late to stop them.

Thankfully, if you do encounter estrogenic activity, you should keep either an aromatase inhibitor (AI) or a SERM on hand. An AI will help reduce your serum estrogen levels, which is important if you want to actually reduce how much estrogen you have in your body. With a SERM, it serves as a way of blocking testosterone from binding to the enzyme that converts the testosterone into estrogen. If you can block it, you’ll prevent estrogenic effects, but you may not be able to stop other kinds of side effects from happening either. This is why it’s so important to understand the effects of both and know what to use when you want to prevent certain side effects. If you don’t want gyno, a SERM will do wonders in blocking the test from being able to bind to the enzyme. But if you want to reduce serum estrogen, again, you’ll need an AI.

Androgenic Side Effects

Remember, just as testosterone binds to the body and creates estrogenic effects, it also produces androgenic effects as well. These would otherwise be known as effects that can cause a series of male-oriented effects to take place. This is primarily why when people take testosterone, there are stereotypical side effects that are often used mockingly. For one, the fact that many men with high test tend to go bald is no coincidence. Just as it binds to the aromatase enzyme producing estrogenic effects, testosterone also binds to the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme and produces DHT (dihydrotestosterone) as a side effect. DHT is great for tremendous strength gains and power, but it’s really bad if you want a full head of hair. This is because when DHT is produced, it forms in specific areas of the body, primarily the scalp, prostate, and skin, thereby causing various side effects when the bind occurs. In the scalp, it can trigger male pattern baldness, something that is very commonly seen in men that have the genetic trait for baldness already built-in. This is important to note because if these kinds of side effects are dealbreakers for you, then you definitely need to consider an alternative method of getting stronger from exogenous compounds. Otherwise, you’ll really have to rethink what you’re using as a supplement.

However, just like you have options in combatting the kinds of issues you face when it comes to estrogenic compounds, you have options when it comes to dealing with DHT. It’s very important to understand that when you do want to stop DHT conversion, you will still have a high likelihood of running into androgenic side effects since the androgenic effects of testosterone are so potent. For one, you can use compounds like Proscar or Dutasteride to combat the androgenic effects commonly found in DHT. Aside from male pattern baldness, oily skin, irritation, enlarged prostate, and acne are also the side effects one can experience with DHT. Very similar to the estrogenic compounds, the side effects mimic those ones you might experience had you ever dealt with the unsightly consequences of puberty as a boy.

Testosterone Suppression Side Effects

When it comes to the use of any exogenous compound, you have to understand that you’re putting your body at risk. Whether you’re doing it for curiosity, bodybuilding, sports performance, or to enhance your quality of life, you have to be aware that whenever you choose to use an androgenic compound like testosterone, you have to be very thorough with how you use it, and especially, with how you stop using it. This may sound counter-intuitive, but this is why you need to be aware of the side effects when using any testosterone producing drug. One of the most important side effects you have to be aware of is the concept of the shutdown. A shutdown is what happens whenever you introduce a very powerful androgenic compound to your body. What happens is your body reads the introduction of the substance as it no longer having a need to produce testosterone. It then, as the name suggests, shuts down its testosterone production and instead allows you to inject yourself with the exogenous hormone. This can work for very short durations, such as if you’re running a very strong blast cycle of a steroid, but over a long period of time, this is not sustainable. What happens is your body can undergo a very troublesome period called hypogonadism, wherein the body stops producing testosterone naturally. For the long term, this can be a devastating consequence, so instead of having to deal with this, you need to be responsible with how you use compounds. When you’re done with your cycle, you have to do what’s known as PCT, or post-cycle therapy. This means you’ll have to use an AI to reduce the estrogen levels in your body, and you’ll also want to make sure you’re taking HCG, which is a naturally produced hormone that stimulates your testes to produce testosterone. Should you fail to follow this advice, you very well could be taking TRT ( testosterone replacement therapy) level doses for life in order to recalibrate your testosterone production. However, it is very rare that this happens unless horrific abuse of androgenic compounds takes place. Should you be adept in terms of swiftly engaging in using an AI and compound to restimulate production, you won’t have to worry about anything whatsoever.

Hepatotoxic Side Effects

Aside from the typical side effects that can more or less be a matter of inconvenience, you have to be aware of the fact that any use of androgenic compounds can also be harmful to your liver health. The cells in your liver are the cells in your body that take the longest to regenerate, meaning that if you do permanent damage to these cells, your liver may have to be transplanted. This is a very extreme example, but it can happen if you do not exercise care with your liver. Rather than letting that happen, it’s very important to understand that any sort of androgen will cause some toxicity and put stress on the lymphatic system to clean everything out. However, it should be stressed that androgens CAN be harmful to your liver and may not be depending on what you use.

In the case of test prop, you do not have to worry about liver toxicity whatsoever. For one, if you were injecting the substance, you would bypass the liver altogether. When you do ingest something orally, the substance passes through the liver to be “checked” by the system internally. What it is doing is ensuring that whatever you’ve ingested is properly synthesized and analyzed from within, and once that’s accomplished, the determination is made whether or not it’s a healthy substance that is fit to absorb. After numerous studies showing considerably high oral doses of test prop, it’s been shown that the substance is not at all hepatotoxic, in other words, it is something that is fit to be taken without fear of any liver toxicity.

Cardiovascular Effects

It should be noted that with any androgenic compound that you use, it is possible to see a shift in your cholesterol levels. It can also affect your blood pressure. However, it should be noted that the primary reason for this effect is correlated with the feedback that you can see with estrogen levels dropping. Estrogen, as much as bad rep as it tends to get, is very important to you for ensuring you have proper cardiovascular levels. With it in place, you have to understand that your cardiovascular system will be in check. That’s why it’s very important that you don’t completely murder your estrogen levels with an AI. Rather than totally trying to phase out the estrogen in your system, consider a smaller dose to reduce it slightly, this will ensure that you can properly engage in using the androgen without compromising your cardiovascular health. However, by maintaining a good diet and promoting cardiovascular exercise, you can stave off the typical negative effects you would get in terms of cardiovascular health.

Testosterone Propionate Administration and Uses

Testosterone Propionate should be administered frequently due to its short half-life. This short acting testosterone variant is injected intra-muscularly deep into the muscle using a minimum 5”8 or 1 inch sterile needle. Its important that care is taken when injected IM. Sterility is important, new needles, barrels and syringes must be used an alcohol swabs.

For low testosterone treatment, doses of 50mg are used three times per week or every other day (EOD). However, Testosterone Propionate is not a common use for hypogonadism due to the high amount of regular injections. Endocrinologists tend to lean towards longer estered Testosterone compounds such as, Testosterone Enanthate and Testosterone Cypionate as they’re administered twice per week or weekly in doses of 100-150mg for low testosterone treatment.

For performance enhancing, Testosterone Propionate is injected 50-100mg every other day, or in larger doses if the athletes or bodybuilder is more experienced. As a base of a steroidal cycle, Testosterone Propionate can be used to replace endogenous testosterone, or as a performance enhancer itself. As a performance enhancing drug (PED), 100mg every day is suggested in combination with an AI or SERM to control estrogenic side effects. Aromasin at 25mg every day or Arimidex 1mg every other day would be advised to keep estrogen levels in normal ranges.

Testosterone Propionate can be stacked with 17aa oral anabolic steroids such as, Dianabol, Winstrol and Anavar (Oxandrolone). This exogenous testosterone injectable could also be used synergistically with Trenbolone Acetate, NPP or other short acting anabolic steroids like Winstrol Depot.

Testosterone Propionate Chemical Information:

Testosterone

Chemical Name:4-androsten-3-one-17beta-ol, 17beta-hydroxy-androst-4-en-3-one

Molecular Weight: 288.42 g/mol

Formula C19H28O2

Original Manufacturer: Schering

Half Life: 4.5 days

Detection Time: 2 weeks

Anabolic Rating: 100 Androgenic Rating: 100