Testosterone Enanthate (delatestryl) on Steroids Rx.com
 | Testosterone is responsible for the normal growth and development of the male sex organs and for the maintenance of the secondary sexual characteristics. The drug can affect the growth of the prostate, testis, seminal vesicles, penis and scrotum and also is important for body growth. Even though testosterone is an androgenic hormone, it does posses anabolic properties. Its use has been shown to promote protein synthesis and a positive nitrogen balance in the presence of a rich calorie diet. | ||
| Testosterone also has the ability to cause a mild increase in the production of red blood cells by stimulating the synthesis of EPO from the kidney. This results in an increase in the red blood cells and hence an increase in the oxygen carrying capacity. |  |
 | When testosterone is taken for prolonged periods, it inhibits the release of Gonadotropins from the pituitary gland through a negative feedback mechanism. At large doses, it can even inhibit spermatogenesis. | |
Testosterone also has the ability to cause a mild increase in the production of red blood cells by stimulating the synthesis of EPO from the kidney. This results in an increase in the red blood cells and hence an increase in the oxygen carrying capacity.
When testosterone is taken for prolonged periods, it inhibits the release of Gonadotropins from the pituitary gland through a negative feedback mechanism. At large doses, it can even inhibit spermatogenesis.
Dose
Testosterone enanthate (Delatestryl) is only slowly released after an intramuscular injection and that is why it should not be taken more than 1-2 times a month. The formulation comes as an esterified preparation of testosterone which is only meant to be administered by an intramuscular injection. The esterification of the testosterone increases the duration of action of the testosterone. The preparation comes in a colorless to mild yellow suspension of sesame oil. For medical uses, 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: | ||
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In most cases of testosterone deficiency, therapy is required for a long time until the secondary sexual characteristic have been developed and the growth is adequate.
Duration
The treatment of all individuals with testosterone enanthate depends on age, sex, diagnosis and the response to treatment- and the onset of adverse effects. In general, the drug is well tolerated when prescribed as recommended. Delatestryl should always be injected in the buttock muscles and not simply underneath 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 more than 400 mg per month because the drug has prolonged activity. It is extremely rare to give this drug once every two weeks. The drug should always be inspected before injection. It is usually a colorless-yellow suspension which is clear. Any particulate matter or clumping indicates that the product is expired or inactive. The duration of treatment varies from 4-6 months.
The drug should be stored at room temperature.
bodybuilders
A lot of bodybuilders use Delatestryl during the off season. The drug stays 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 evident. Many bodybuilders also use other anabolic hormones like GH/thyroxin in combination. |  |
| Because testosterone is also converted to estrogen in the fatty tissues, many bodybuilders develop breast enlargement and retain 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 highly recommended that all beginners start off with the low dose. | |
The increase in protein mass is gradual but does occur. Because the steroid also stimulates red blood cell production, many bodybuilders also notice that they have an increased capacity to perform under intense exercise conditions. Testosterone enanthate is preferred by most bodybuilders because it is readily available and has a number of benefits. It promotes good health, increase exercise performance and leads to a positive nitrogen balance. There are reports that it also selectively decreases fat and increases muscle mass. Recent studies from the World sports agencies indicate that this particular drug can boost performance, increase lean muscle mass and still not be detected in the urine within the first few weeks. Even when the anabolic effects are not obvious, most individuals do notice an increase in strength. Sometimes the water retention can be quite dramatic and some individuals do take a diuretic pill to remove it. To prevent the breast enlargement, testosterone enanthate is cycled with drugs like Arimidex or Tamoxifen. Most individuals take the testosterone for 4-6 weeks and then stop for a few weeks. During this wash out phase, one may use Arimidex.
Women
All testosterone analogues have the potential to cause virilizing effects when the duration of use is prolonged. In females, these virilizing signs may be deepening of voice, excessive hair growth, irregular menstrual cycles, mood alterations and clitoral enlargement. 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 discontinuation of the steroid.
Side effects
 | Like all anabolic steroids, testosterone enanthate has a few side effects. These side effects are generally mild and well tolerated. The majority of individuals do see some side effects after 3-4 months of therapy. The most common side effects include: |
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While most of these side effects are reversible, the breast enlargement and some virilizing effects are not. The concomitant use of estrogens to diminish the side effects of virilization is not always helpful.
In children the use of testosterone must be strictly monitored. It can accelerate bone maturation but does not increase compensatory linear growth – which results in abnormal body distortion in anatomy- esp. the jaw and face.
Warnings
| The drug should be used very cautiously in individuals with: | ||
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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 based preparation or a contaminant in the formulation.
All individuals who use testosterone should have their liver enzymes and blood hematocrit regularly checked to ensure that they are within normal limits.
Legal
Delatestryl is classified as a class 3 drug under the controlled substance act. In the USA, it is only available with a physician’s prescription.
Detection
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, the testing has even gone beyond urine testing. If excessive use of the testosterone is suspected, one can even detect traces of the testosterone in the hair 2-4 months after the drug has been stopped.
However, one should know that the testing today for testosterone enanthate is not perfect. About 50% of individuals who take this steroid are missed based on the testosterone/epitestosterone ratios.
Cost
The legal testosterone enanthate is quite difficult to get hold off. The majority of bodybuilders get their testosterone from the black market. Generic testosterone formulations made in Europe and Mexico are widely available. The drug is not cheap and a vial of 250 mg can cost anywhere from $10-$20. In the last 2 decades, the increasing control of these drugs by the DEA has led to unscrupulous dealers selling fake or counterfeit products. So in the end, it is always buyer beware.
References
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Rogerson S, Weatherby RP, Deakin GB, Meir RA, Coutts RA, Zhou S, Marshall- Gradisnik SM. The Effect of Short-Term Use of Testosterone Enanthate onMuscular Strength and Power in Healthy Young Men. J Strength Cond Res 2007 May 1; 21(2):354-361.
Schulze JJ, Lundmark J, Garle M, Skilving I, Ekström L, Rane A. Doping Test ResultsDependent on Genotype of UGT2B17, the Major Enzyme for Testosterone Glucuronidation. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2008 Mar 11.
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