Testesterone Therapies for Men

 Some men are interested in testosterone therapy even if their testosterone levels are considered normal. Find out whether testosterone therapy could be helpful for you.

If you want to remain looking like a young man, you need a steady flow of testosterone, or androgens, as this hormone is responsible for the normal growth and development of male sex organs, and the maintenance of secondary sex characteristics. Without enough of it, you can feel anxious, depressed, become intellectually muddled, and develop a low sex drive. Also, low levels of testosterone may result in a decline in muscle mass and strength, and an increase in upper body and abdominal fat.

A little-known condition called androgen deficiency occurs when bodily tissues do not have enough exposure to androgens, or testosterone, to function normally. There is hope — with Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT), lower-than-normal testosterone levels can be regulated and modified.

While young males do not typically suffer from a testosterone deficiency, the presence of certain medical conditions that hamper the body’s ability to produce testosterone can result in this condition at any age. In fact, approximately one in 200 men under 60 years of age suffers from androgen deficiency.The testosterone levels in men usually decrease with age. They gradually begin to fall from the age of 40 years and decrease by approximately 0.3% per year. It has been estimated that up to 20% of men over 60 will experience a decline in androgen production that is significant enough to warrant a diagnosis of androgen deficiency.Some controversy still exists over whether or not older men experience what is known as “andropause,” or male menopause, a much more gradual and subtle change of life than female menopause. The question of whether such naturally decreasing levels of testosterone should be remedied, or if TRT should simply be reserved for extreme cases, remains largely unanswered. For now, it is best to assume that unless your doctor diagnoses you with a deficiency, TRT is not the solution.

The possibilities of testosterone therapy are enticing — increase your muscle mass, sharpen your memory and mental focus, boost your libido, and improve your energy level. As you get older, testosterone therapy may sound like the ultimate anti-aging formula. But health benefits from testosterone therapy aren’t quite so clear-cut. 

Men’s bodies produce the hormone testosterone in their testes. In men, testosterone helps maintain:

• Bone density

• Fat distribution

• Muscle mass

• Muscle strength

• Red blood cell production

• Sex drive

• Sperm production

Testosterone therapy using testosterone replacement medications may be necessary for men who have very low levels of testosterone (hypogonadism). Testosterone therapy medications are available as injections, patches and gels.

 

 

 

 

Testosterone is the prime male androgen in the body, and as such still the best possible mass builder in the world. It has a high risk of side-effects because it readily converts to a more androgenic form (DHT) in androgen responsive tissues and forms estrogen quite easily. But these characteristics also provide it with its extreme anabolic tendencies. On the one hand estrogen increases growth hormone output, glucose utilization, improves immunity and upgrades the androgen receptor, while on the other hand a testosterone/DHT combination is extremely potent at activating the androgen receptor and eliciting major strength and size gains. While not always the most visually appealing result, there is no steroid on earth that packs on mass like testosterone does.

While most will tell you it’s a waste to not use testosterone, as it will take ages longer to build proper mass, these are all points to take into consideration. Testosterone is a product that is heavily used by beginners and veterans alike and justly so. Those who fear they may never understand the proper use of ancillary drugs, may want to suck it up and invest in some propionate or suspension testosterones instead. These are much shorter acting and easier to control, but they do need to be injected once every two days, whereas this type of ester will impart great gains with a single weekly injection. Something to keep in mind.

Testosterone Stacking and Use:

Testosterone is the most powerful compound there is, so obviously its perfectly fine to use it by itself. With a long-acting ester like Enanthate doses of 500-1000 mg per week are used with very clear results over a 10 week period. If you’ve ever seen a man swell up with sheer size, then testosterone was the cause of it. But testosterone is nonetheless often stacked. Due to the high occurrence of side-effects, people will usually split up a stack in testosterone and a milder component in order to obtain a less risky cycle, but without having to give up as much of the gains. Primobolan, Equipoise and Deca-Durabolin are the weapons of choice in this matter.

Deca seems to be the most popular, probably because of its extremely mild androgenic nature. But Deca being one of the highest risks for just about every other side-effects, I probably wouldn’t advise it. If Deca is used, generally a dose of 200-400 mg is added to 500-750 mg of testosterone per week. Primobolan is sometimes opted for, and can be handy since it doesn’t aromatize, which will make the total level of water retention and fat gain a lot less than with more test or with Deca for example. Unfortunately, its mild nature combined with a lack of estrogen make Primobolan a very poor mass builder. Again, doses of 300-400 mg are used. I would actually suggest a higher dose, but with the current prices for Primo I don’t think it would be very popular. My personal preference goes out to Equipoise. Androgenically its not that much stronger than Deca because it has next to no affinity for the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme and is only half as androgenic as testosterone. Its twice as strong as Deca, mg for mg, and has a lower occurrence of side-effects. It has some estrogen, but not a whole lot so it actually tends to lean a person out rather than bloat him up as Deca will. It also increases appetite, which promotes gains, and improves aerobic performance, which may be wishful as testosterone normally has an opposite effect.

Of course Testosterone Enanthate can be stacked with any number of compounds apart from these, but these make the best match. When stacking with testosterone, one needs to look at what the other compound can bring. Either it has a characteristic that testosterone doesn’t have, or its nominally safer. The testosterone will bring all the mass, so adding another steroid to enhance mass alone, is futile. More testosterone is the best remedy for that.

For those worried about androgenic side-effects (hair loss, prostate hypertrophy, deepening of voice), one can utilize the hair loss treatment finasteride. This blocks the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme and stops the conversion of testosterone to the more androgenic compound DHT. I’m not a big fan of this, because DHT reduces estrogenic bloat, increases free levels of testosterone and is a very potent androgen that is 3-4 times stronger than testosterone. Those worried about hair loss however, may want to opt for arimidex as their anti-aromatase, since Proviron is a form of DHT after all.

After a cycle, mainly due to the high aromatization and increased levels of estradiol in the blood after discontinuing, natural testosterone levels will be severely suppressed. This means steps need to be taken to assure the quick return of natural testosterone, or we stand to lose a lot of the gains we made while using testosterone. Since it’s a non-toxic, potent mass-builder its mostly used in long 10-12 week cycles. So some testicular shrinkage will have occurred too. Its very important that people see that HCG and Nolvadex/clomid are essential as a post-cycle therapy, and that both are equally important in achieving our goal. HCG injections should be started the last week of the cycle and continued for 3-4 weeks, using 1500-3000 IU every 5-6 days. HCG will act as an alternative to LH and start the endogenous testosterone cycle, thereby increasing testicle size once again. Then about 2 weeks after the last shot of testosterone is given, Nolvadex/Clomid cycle should be started. 40 mg of Nolva or 150 mg of Clomid per day for two weeks, followed by two more weeks with either 20 mg of Nolva or 100 mg of Clomid per day should be adequate. Always remember that HCG is suppressive of natural testosterone itself and should be discontinued at least 2 weeks prior to finishing Nolvadex/Clomid.

With so many issues on steroids, does anybody wonder why steroids become so popular? How does steroids came into existence? Is it thru an in-depth research or just by mere discovery? From the different sources on the internet as well as other publications and journals, steroids were so popular because of its effects and the issues that always come with it. Whether we treat steroids as a harmful drug or a pill that gives many benefits to its users, a better understanding is a must.

This will serve as a guide in understanding of what these steroids can do or will do to its users. The purpose of creating these steroids and its beginnings will probably change our perception to this drug.

Here’s a timeline of the discovery and development of steroids. The issues and people who contributed to the advancement of steroids are also presented:

1849 – A scientist named Berthold conducted an experiment on cockerels by removing their testicles. The bird lost several of its male characteristics including sexual functions. It was in this experiment that they found out that testicles had a systemic effect on the entire organism. It has an effect on the blood of the animals experimented.

1929 - Another experiment was conducted to produce an extract of potent activity from bull’s testicles.

1935 – A more purified form of the extract from bull’s testicles was created.

1936 – Scientist Ruzicka synthesized the compound, the testosterone from cholesterol. Two other scientists also conducted the same experiment, Butenandt and Hanisch.

- the first testosterone was created and used in an experiment demonstrating that nitrogen excretion of the castrated dog could be increased by giving the dog supplemental testosterone thus increased its body weight.

- the Nazi’s were also rumored that they have given their soldiers anabolic steroids

- in this period testosterone was already considered as a potent anabolic substance in humans. This was proven by further experiments that were carried out in men.

1948 – 1954 – Searle and Ciba, both pharmaceutical companies had experimented with the synthesizing of more than a thousand different testosterone derivatives and similar analogues.

1954 – This is the time where the use of steroids in sports began. The Soviets team was reported to have used steroids in the World Weightlifting Championships in Vienna, Austria. They dominated the competition and break several world records. They bought home several gold medals in different weight classes. It was John Zeigler, a physician who said to have a talk to the Soviets team doctor. And from that conversation he said that Soviets team used steroids.

1955 – John Zeigler began administering straight testosterone to his weightlifters. Ciba also attempted to synthesize a substance with strength enhancing effects comparable or better than testosterone’s.

1956 – Methandrostenolone was created. “Dianobol” as a brand name came into existence.

1957 – 1959 – Many weightlifter’s training program includes the use of “Dianobol”.

1960 – The effects of the Dianobol in John Zeigler’s weightlifters were very dominant. Another anabolic steroid had been developed and used to treat short stature in children with Turner Disease syndrome.

- at this period, many scientists and doctors began to conduct numerous studies on the effects of steroids to athletes. According to some studies it was noted that steroids did not clearly showed or offered any athletic benefit to the athletes. One of the issues was the doses given to the athletes as considered as very low doses which can’t produce any effect at all.
 
1967- the International Olympic Council banned the use of anabolic steroids.

1970 -  most major sporting organizations had also banned steroids.
 
1972 - the International Olympic Council began a full scale drug-testing program.

1982 – the International Olympic Council had developed a test for the detection of excess levels of testosterone in athletes, known as the “Testosterone: Epitestosterone test”

1988 – classification of steroids were only prescription drugs.

1989 – when information was leaked to the media about a government sponsored program of systematic anabolic steroid administration to its athletes and its concealment to the sports organization.

1990 – the Germans had finally gotten caught, and the ensuing scandal was one which helped give anabolic steroids the bad reputation they have had ever since.

- anabolic steroids had started to be used by the medical community to improve survival rates of AIDS and Cancer patients.

- the United States Congress added steroids to the Controlled Substances Act as an amendment known as the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990

2000 – survey among 12 graders were reported that 2.5% used steroids at least once in their lives.

2004 to present – there was an increase in the usage among young people. The statistics shows 3.4%

- anabolic steroids were continuously used by most weightlifters and bodybuilders

-the legitimate use of anabolic steroids for a variety of medical problems such as Andropause or Menopause, speeding recovery of burn victims, improve the quality of life in AIDS patients, fight breast cancer and control osteoporosis to name a few.

- the use of steroids in other sports such as baseball and athletics continue to rise. Famous athletes were charged of using illegal steroids such as Barry Bonds, a baseball player. Another olympian athlete, Marion Jones was also charged with similar offense.

Steroids continue to create history. It is not yet the end for this product. More and more researches are being done to enhance the composition of steroids. More companies are also producing brands that can pass the strict regulation of the government. We can say that steroids are safer now than before. People who are using it are now well informed and educated on the proper use of steroids thus maximizing the benefits that the user gets

What Are Steroids?

In a nutshell, they are hormones, and there are many different kinds. But when people talk about steroids in the field of sports and bodybuilding, they are usually talking about anabolic steroids. This is a synthetic product that resembles the natural male hormone testosterone, and taking it can help you develop more muscle tissue.

 Why Are More Young People Taking Steroids?

There seems to be two reasons why boys, and it is much more likely to be boys taking them than girls, are turning to steroids. The first is to try and get an advantage in sports, but research has never shown that there’s any increase in ability when people take steroids. In fact, they are more likely to damage your response times and agility, and sports officials are very strict on weeding them out. Steroids do give you more muscle bulk though, and that leads to the second reason.

 Media Pressure

Just as girls have problems with anorexia and bulimia, as they are pounded every day with images of ‘perfect’ skinny women models and stars, boys are beginning to feel the pressure too. Sports stars, film stars and even male underwear models feature highly toned bodies, with glistening pecs, that essential ‘six-pack’ and washboard stomach. Men generally did not have bodies like this thirty or forty years ago, only bodybuilders and professional athletes. It’s all being created by the media’s obsession with image.

 So What’s the Problem?

The problem is that muscle bulk is not all that steroids can give you. Man boobs, for a start, bad acne, particularly on the back, premature baldness, mood swings, aggression and paranoia are all downsides of overdosing on testosterone. Although we talk of testosterone being a ‘male’ hormone, and oestrogen being a ‘female’ one, the truth is that they occur naturally, at different levels, in both men and women, and upsetting that balance causes problems.

Hormones also differ in where their receptors are found in the target cell, and the type of effect they cause when they bind to their receptors. The receptor for thyroxine is located in the nucleus, while the receptors for steroid hormones are found in the cell’s cytoplasm. In both cases, the hormone binds to the receptor to form a complex, and then the hormone-receptor complex activates specific genes within the nucleus, leading to synthesis of new proteins.

Adrenaline, noradrenaline, and the peptide hormones do not enter the target cell. Instead, they bind to a receptor on the membrane surface. The receptor extends through the membrane, and when the outside portion binds to the hormone, the inside portion of the receptor undergoes a conformation change. This change sets off a cascade of reactions inside the cell, ultimately leading to an increase in concentration of one or another internal messenger molecules. The most common of these so-called “second messengers” (the hormone is the “first messenger”) are calcium ion and cyclic AMP (cAMP), a type of nucleotide. The second messenger then triggers other activities in the cell, depending on the cell type. In muscle, adrenaline causes cAMP buildup, which causes breakdown of glycogen to release glucose, which the muscle cell uses to support increased activity.

Hormones that bind to external receptors and work through second messengers affect pre-existing proteins within the cell. Because of this, they typically cause much faster effects than those that bind to internal receptors, which influence creation of new proteins. For example, adrenaline’s effects last from minutes to hours at the most, while testosterone’s effects last from days to months or more.

Anabolic steroids are drugs which are derived from testosterone,which is a male hormone. Some are in tablet form and others are injected into muscle. Some names of anabolic steroids are:

• Andriol
• Halotestin
• Proviron
• Sustanon
• Primobolan
• Deca-Durabolin

When you buy steroids from a gym or a dealer, you may actually be getting something totally different. They may be drugs produced for use on animals or they may be fake or labelled incorrectly. Some names of steroids which are made for use on animals are:

• Stanozolol
• Boldebal-H
• Nandrabolin
• Spectriol
• Drive
• Stanabolic

Anabolic steroids are very different from steroids (corticosteroids) such as prednisone, which is used to treat asthma. This fact sheet does not refer to the steroids used in asthma treatment.

Are anabolic steroids safe?

NO. There are risks in using anabolic steroids in both injectable or tablet form. Most anabolic steroid tablets present definite risks of permanent liver damage and liver cancer.

It is not safe to share needles with any drug. If you inject anabolic steroids and share needles, you are at risk of getting blood transmitted infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV/AIDS.

While it is true that many of the risks and side effects associated with using anabolic steroids have been exaggerated by some health professionals, sporting bodies, the media and handbooks, not all steroids will cause the same side effects.

Different drugs cause different side effects at different doses. However, every time you use another steroid, increase the steroid dose and the longer you use steroids, the more chance you have of getting more
side effects.

Is there a safe dosage for anabolic steroids?

There is no ‘safe’ dose of an anabolic steroid. If you continue to use steroids, despite health warnings and your doctors advice, however, keep the dose to an absolute minimum and take breaks from using the steroids.

Do anabolic steroids work?

The answer to this is controversial. If you speak to athletes, body builders, trainers and some doctors, who have used or had experiences with anabolic steroids, they are certain that anabolic steroids increase lean
muscle mass, strength and endurance. But scientific studies have only shown that anabolic steroids enhance physical performance through the effect of training, diet and motivation, which accompany the use of the drugs.

Will anabolic steroids work better if I use more?

NO. Don’t believe everything you read in handbooks and magazines – they will tell you about ways of using anabolic steroids through complicated ‘scientific’ explanations, which are often not based on science at all. Higher doses don’t have much more of an effect than lower doses because the anabolic steroid receptor sites in muscle become saturated. There is really no point in taking extra anabolic steroids when they have no extra effects on your build – and can certainly cause more side effects.

What are some of the potential side effects?

In men:

• Baldness, acne
• Jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes)
• Aggressiveness
• Heart problems – abnormal heart rhythms (due to use with diuretics), high blood pressure, fluid retention and/or heart attack
• Development of breast tissue
• High Cholesterol levels
• Permanent liver damage, liver tumours
• Infertility, increased libido
• Diabetes

In women:

• Jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes)
• Facial hair, acne
• Permanent deep voice
• Heart problems – abnormal heart rhythms (due to use with diuretics), high blood pressure, fluid retention and/or heart attack
• Effects on the unborn child if taken during pregnancy
• High Cholesterol levels
• Permanent liver damage, liver tumours
• Problems with periods
• Enlarged clitoris
• Diabetes

In children and teenagers, anabolic steroids may cause stunted growth.

Most of the side effects normally stop – if you stop using the drugs.

Are anabolic steroids used for medical reasons?

YES. Anabolic steroids are used to treat certain hormonal problems, where there is a deficiency of natural male hormones. They are also being trialled in the treatment of weight loss caused by HIV/AIDS infection. Anabolic steroids are used to treat some cancers, osteoporosis and some rare conditions. Even when anabolic steroids are used for medical purposes,
they are only used when other drugs have not worked. Body building or improvement to sporting performance are not medical reasons for using
anabolic steroids.

Should I tell my doctor if I use anabolic steroids?

YES. Your doctor may discover early side effects from using anabolic steroids, which you may not have noticed. They can also give you advice on how to decrease the side effects.

Why can’t my doctor prescribe steroids for me?

It is illegal for your doctor to prescribe anabolic steroids, unless they are to be used for medical reasons. A few people have suggested that doctors should prescribe anabolic steroids so that steroid users can be ‘monitored’. Very few experts agree with this. This is because there is no safe way of ‘monitoring’ the use of steroids. Also, long-term effects of using anabolic steroids are unknown. There is no ‘safe’ dose, so a doctor cannot safely prescribe anabolic steroids for non-medical reasons.

Can I become ‘addicted’ to anabolic steroids?

You may become psychologically dependent on anabolic steroids. If this happens you may crave the steroids and find it very difficult to stop using them, even though you know they are affecting your health.

You cannot become physically ‘addicted’ to anabolic steroids, as you might with alcohol or heroin.

What other psychological effects can users experience?

Anabolic steroid users often say that they experience a feeling of euphoria (feeling high) or improved self-esteem (feeling better about themselves). Others say they have mood swings, violent or aggressive behaviour (‘roid rages’), become paranoid or depressed. As only a limited amount of research has been done in this area, it is difficult to be certain whether a particular anabolic steroid user will get any or all of these side effects. If you think you are experiencing any of these side effects, you should discuss them with your doctor.

Am I safe from side effects if I have regular blood tests?

NO. There is no definite way of ‘monitoring’ that anabolic steroids are not causing side effects on the liver. A normal blood test does not necessarily mean that your liver is normal.

Is it safe to use HCG, diuretics, tamoxifen for treatment?

NO. Generally, it is not safe to use other drugs to treat side effects. Depending on the drug, they can cause as many problems as anabolic steroids themselves. It is particularly dangerous to use diuretics (drugs which reduce fluid retention) with anabolic steroids. They may cause abnormal heart rhythms which may lead to death. This is because diuretics can suddenly and markedly change the quantity of sodium and potassium in cells in the body, which can be very dangerous for blood cells, the heart muscle and brain tissue.

HCG does not correct any medical problems caused by steroids, and using tamoxifen to ‘treat’ breast enlargement has its dangers too. In most cases, breast enlargement will stop, if you stop using the drug. If not, breast enlargement may need to be corrected by surgery.

If I am using steroids, how can I decrease side effects?

Obviously, the best way to be safe is not to use anabolic steroids at all.

But if you are using anabolic steroids you should:

• use low doses
• don’t share needles or syringes with other people
• use a clean needle from an unopened package with every injection and make sure the injection site is sterile
• avoid using diuretics with anabolic steroids
• avoid using other drugs to ‘treat’ side effects if they develop and avoid using steroids altogether
• let your doctor know that you are using anabolic steroids and talk about it
• make sure you know exactly what tablets you are taking. If you are not sure what they are, then find out before you take them. Also make sure that any tablet you take has not been tampered with.

Is it illegal to use and possess anabolic steroids in NSW?

YES. If you are found to possess, supply or administer anabolic steroids to another person it is an offence under the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1966. Penalties for breach of this Act include fines and/or imprisonment.

Is the use of steroids banned in competitive sport?

YES. In competitive sport, the International Olympic Committee prohibits the use of anabolic steroids for performance enhancement. Most individual sporting bodies will stop athletes from competing if they are found to have used anabolic steroids.

Where can I get advice on which drugs are banned in sport?

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) can provide you with information about banned drugs. ASADA is an Australian Government organisation established in 2006. It has assumed the Australian Sports Drug Agency’s (ASDA) testing, education and advocacy roles.

Is there anyone that I can talk to about anabolic steroids?

YES. It is a good idea to discuss your anabolic steroid use with your doctor. Your doctor can help you stop using anabolic steroids and tell you how to try to get as few side effects as possible, if you are using them.

Description

Anabolic and androgenic steroids can be produced naturally or derived from synthetic sources. Commercially produced steroids can be placed into three groups – those produced for human consumption, those for veterinary use and those produced illegally.

Steroids are used to increase muscle bulk and strength and to enable longer and harder athletic training sessions. Some users take steroids for cosmetic (body image) reasons.

Effects

Steroids increase protein synthesis, promoting growth of muscles and bones. They reduce the recovery time needed between training sessions and enable athletes to train more intensively for longer periods.

Side effects of steroid use can include hair loss, liver problems, insomnia, acne, headaches, jaundice, hypertension and high cholesterol. Steroids can permanently stunt the growth of adolescents. Men who use steroids can experience shrinking testes, gynaecomastia (enlarged breasts) and prostate and fertility problems. Women can experience clitoral enlargement, shrinking breasts, permanent deepening of the voice, menstrual irregularities and growth of body and facial hair.

Psychological effects can include enhanced self-esteem and euphoria, but also increased aggression and irritability, mood swings, changes in libido, paranoia and depression. Psychological dependence on steroids is possible. Withdrawal symptoms include mood swings, severe depression, insomnia, lethargy, nausea, headaches and cravings.

Method of use

Steroids may be injected intramuscularly, taken orally or rubbed on the skin as a cream.

Australian law

The possession, use and supply of steroids, other than by prescription from a medical practitioner, dentist or veterinarian is illegal throughout Australia as is unauthorised importation.

The use of steroids by competitors in most sports is banned.

Prevalence, market and production in Australia

Steroid users generally fall within four categories – athletes for performance enhancement, body builders to increase muscle mass and definition, people within the security industry and adolescents for body image reasons.

Users may attempt to gain drugs by convincing a doctor to prescribe them, via mail order or the Internet from overseas, from veterinarians by supplying false information or from local dealers in gyms etc. There is some evidence that outlaw motorcycle gangs are involved in the dealing and distribution of steroids in this country.

Common street names

Roids, gear, juice, vets’ drugs, Caseys