Testosterone: what is it?
Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone and anabolic steroid. Let’s take a closer look at what the words hormone and steroid mean, because you often struggle with people who use these words without understanding the meaning (expert, congratulations, you’re awesome).
A hormone is therefore a biologically active substance that has a regulating effect on metabolism and physiological functions. But when people hear the word steroid, many imagine what pumped men who aren’t averse to admiring themselves in the mirror for an extra hour a day are using.
But everything is much simpler: steroids are chemicals that contain a sterane substructure, as shown in the figure below. But representatives of this group of substances have much more functionality than turning people into muscle giants. Many of them are capable of saving your life at a critical moment.
Main effects of testosterone preparations
Lowering of low density lipoprotein (“bad”) cholesterol. High high density lipoprotein (the “good” cholesterol). Estradiol, for example, has the opposite effect.
The level of erythropoietin increases and the level of red blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit may increase. Therefore, during testosterone, it is necessary to monitor the general blood test. The number of platelets also increases. Testosterone affects the synthesis of osteoblasts – young bone cells.
Steroid hormones have a major impact on water-salt metabolism, therefore, disturbances in this area can lead to the formation of edema and other undesirable consequences.
One of the side effects is acne. Hair loss is also possible due to an increase in the active form of testosterone – dihydrotestosterone.
Against the background of testosterone intake, gynecomastia is possible – an increase in the mammary gland with enlargement of the glands and fatty tissue. To reduce the risk of gynecomastia, aromatization inhibitors are used, which are said to lead to a reduction in the conversion of testosterone to estradiol.
And now why testosterone supplements are so popular in sports. Testosterone has anabolic activity – activity that promotes the synthesis of amino acids, nucleotides, polysaccharides, proteins and ATP.
Testosterone has androgenic activity – activity that promotes the acquisition of characteristics of one sex by the opposite sex, a negative effect for most people, not to mention transgender people who knowingly do so.
Plasma testosterone concentration is inversely proportional to inflammatory markers such as interleukin-1-beta, interleukin-6, TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor), C-reactive protein, leukocyte count, endotoxins. As a result of a meta-analysis of replacement therapy, a decrease in these indicators was observed.
In men with insufficient secretory capacity of the thyroid gland, a restoration of its functions was observed.
What are the effects of testosterone enanthate? Before and after application
This drug is a kind of universal synthetic steroid which can be used to achieve almost all sports goals. It is most commonly used for power cycles and periods of active “bulking”. Ultimately, however, its effects are more dependent on many factors, such as estradiol levels, cell sensitivity to DHT, and the athlete’s diet and training. More information on the effects of the substance in question can be found below:
Increased strength and muscle growth associated with increased protein synthesis. Although “solo” testosterone enanthate rarely achieves impressive gains (unless athletes have recently begun to learn about the pharmacology), its use in combination with injectable or oral anabolic steroids for this purpose remains a higher priority. Additionally, there is greater recovery between workouts, increasing the volume and intensity of the training process without depleting the body’s resources.
Fat burning characteristic of almost all anabolic steroids. This effect is especially pronounced if the necessary diet and cardio training are observed. Even if they are absent, you can expect a reduction in body fat.
Water retention accompanied by an improvement in the elasticity of muscle and ligament tissue. For this reason, testosterone enanthate is often recommended for athletes suffering from injuries, and is also used a lot by weight athletes who constantly experience unbearable loads on the “natural” body. In combination with nandrolone, growth hormone and some peptide active ingredients, the “healing” effect is even more pronounced. There are cases where the drug literally “stood up” and helped continue a sports career for those who, apparently, due to a serious injury, were destined to do away with it.
Increased general tone, increased aggression and increased performance in training. This effect, characteristic of all testosterone derivatives, allows you to train harder and harder. However, if the recommended doses are greatly exceeded, painful anxiety and attacks of unmotivated aggression can occur.
Result of the request
There are different anabolic and androgenic results. Basically, the higher the dose of the drug taken, the better the effect. To reduce the risk of unnecessary side effects, it is necessary to add an anti-estrogen to the course.
Therefore, this tool has the following application results:
- increases libido;
- starts the fat burning process, prevents the appearance of new fat deposits in the human body;
- helps to increase muscle mass;
- Start the growth process of the beard and mustache, as well as the “male hair” on the pubic bone and armpits;
- contributes to the improvement of metabolic processes in the body;
- slows down the catabolic processes;
- increases strength;
- Helps the body recover after a hard training process;
- It improves the glycogen synthesis processes.
Benefits of the drug
Testosterone enanthate is not valid for more than two weeks. The active ingredients of this drug quickly enter the bloodstream, so the result of using this drug can be felt in 5-7 days. During the course, the athlete will have a better appetite, strength and energy will appear, in a short time at the end of intensive training he will begin to recover strength, so it will be possible to increase the body load. Furthermore, testosterone enanthate is difficult to find in the urine and blood as it is rapidly eliminated from the body.
When testosterone enanthate is used exclusively in the right dose, excess fluid does not remain in the body. This tool helps the athlete to build only quality muscle mass. The drug has another advantage – it gently acts on the athlete’s body.