by Anthony Roberts - Testosterone Enanthate
a long acting form of the parent hormone testosterone.
In this particular case, the parent hormone has
been attached to the Enanthate ester to delay its
release into the bloodstream over several days.
Background
Testosterone was first synthesized by being isolated
from an animal source in 1935. Many different esters,
including enanthate, have been attached to the parent
hormone since then.
Testosterone Enanthate is the most popular form
of testosterone prescribed everywhere in the world
except for the United States, where the very similar
Testosterone
Cypionate is typically preferred. The most common
form of Tesosterone Enanthate (other then generic
or underground) available in the United States is
called "Delatestryl."
Steroid Action
Testosterone exerts both genomic and non-genomic
effects in the human body. This means that while
many of testosterone’s effects are mediated by the
androgen receptor, and gene transcription, many
also occur without such stimulation. Testosterone
promotes health and well-being, enhances libido,
increases energy and promotes fat loss. It can also
boost immunity. Testosterone aids in gaining and
preserving lean muscle mass. It prevents against
bone loss as well as heart disease.
Testosterone Enanthate has a release time of
between 8-10 days. It is typically injected once
every one to three weeks, though some users opt
for a twice a week frequency as well. This version
of testosterone will cause the usual side effects
associated with Testosterone, including: hair loss,
acne, gynecomastia and eventual cessation of the
body’s natural testosterone production. Many of
these side effects can be associated (if not totally
attributed) with the conversion of Testosterone
into Dihydrotestosterone and estrogen.
Technical Data
Testosterone's anabolic/androgenic effects are
dependant upon the dose administered; usually the
higher the dose, the better the results (1).
In a study done on Testosterone Enanthate, a
dose as high as 600 mg's produced better results
in subjects compared to those who received lower
doses. The most fat was lost and lean body mass,
strength and size was gained by the group who used
the highest dose (600 mg/week), when compared to
any of the lower doses studied (2). In the same
study, HDL cholesterol was lowered and some acne
was experienced by the subjects. There was roughly
a 15% gain in Lean Body Mass from 20 weeks of 600mgs/week
of testosterone enanthate. HDL cholesterol was also
lowered and the subjects experienced acne.
Overall, the most common effect reported by subjects
using testosterone is gains in strength (3) and
typically, testosterone is implicated in positive
alterations in size, shape, and appearance of muscle
(4).
Due to stimulation of the Androgen Receptors
(AR), accelerated muscle gain, fat loss, increased
muscle repair and growth is experienced by those
using injectable testosterone (5),(6). Testosterone
can also binds to the AR on fat cells; therefore,
adipose (fat) tissue can be broken down more readily
and new fat formation is prevented (7). It is thought,
therefore, that many of testosterone’s effects are
receptor mediated; although many effects are also
non-receptor mediated.
While using injectable testosterone, since the
body is building muscle at an accelerated rate,
more foodstuffs are shuttled directly to the muscle
tissue (this is known as nutrient portioning) and
away from fat. This is another indirect effect of
testosterone on fat loss. Testosterone also promotes
glycogen synthesis, which is activated by insulin
in response to high glucose levels (8), thus allowing
someone using testosterone to more efficiently utilize
food as fuel.
User Notes
Testosterone Enanthate is, to me, probably no
different than testosterone cypionate (another long
acting form of testosterone). It allows for once
a week administration and can be found on the black
market in doses anywhere from 200-500 mg/ml.
Personally I have used this form of testosterone
on many occasions. Although I prefer the shorter
esters, this is probably the cheapest form of testosterone
that can be found on the black market, and that
has influenced my choice to use it more than once.
Water retention with testosterone enanthate often
requires some kind of anti-estrogen to combat it
(for me, anyway), although I seem to be able to
handle pretty high doses without having any other
problems with bloodwork or gyno.
Most people will find that 500-1000 mg of this
form of testosterone is going to be more than enough
to build tons of new muscle. My own personal anabolic
routine (doctor prescribed) rarely has me going
over 500mgs of testosterone, and I typically feel
that 750 mg is the upper limit of the acceptable
risk/reward ratio, unless the user is in a profession
where it’s necessary to do more (i.e. is a professional
bodybuilder, etc.)
Testosterone enanthate
is the chemical name of active ingredient in
Delatestryl. Delatestryl is a registered
trademark of Indevus Pharmaceuticals Inc. in the
United States and/or other countries.
