Testosterone Enanthate is one of the oldest and perhaps the most commonly used anabolic steroid of all time. Testosterone Enanthate is a slow acting release form of the testosterone hormone and would be the first large/long ester testosterone form used. Synthetic testosterone itself would be developed in the 1930’s. The first batches of testosterone manufactured would have no ester attached (Testosterone Suspension) and needless to say would be fast acting and require very frequent injections. In 1937 the first ester controlled testosterone would hit the market thanks to Schering and their new Testosterone Propionate product. This would allow for more control over the testosterone hormone by regulating its time release. However, in the early 1950’s a larger ester in Enanthate would be attached to the hormone thereby slowing down the hormone’s activity even more. Testosterone Enanthate would become the dominating testosterone form in the medical field and Testosterone Cypionate would join a few years later. The difference in Testosterone Enanthate and Testosterone Cypionate is largely inconsequential.

Testosterone Enanthate is one of the most commonly used testosterones for the treatment of low testosterone. It is also extremely popular in performance enhancing circles. This is one of the most affordable anabolic steroids on the market, it’s highly versatile, tolerated well by most all adult men and its supply is through the roof.

Testosterone Enanthate is an anabolic steroid that is perfect for all levels of use. This is the perfect anabolic steroid for the first time steroid user and will be equally effective for the individual with a lot of time in the saddle. It will carry with it possible side effects but we will also find they are very easy to control. If this is surprising it really shouldn’t be. After all, although synthetic it’s simply testosterone, a hormone the human body is not only well-accustomed to but one that is essential to our health and wellbeing.

Testosterone Enanthate Functions & Traits:

Testosterone Enanthate is a single large ester base testosterone compound. This is a pure synthetic testosterone hormone that has a carboxylic acid ester attached in Enanthate (enanthoic acid). The ester itself is attached to the hormone at the 17-beta hydroxyl group. By attaching the Enanthate ester, this allows for a control of the hormones active duration and total release time. Once injected, the testosterone does not become active until the ester begins to detach from the hormone. The total detachment does not happen all at once but allows for a slow, steady release of the active hormone into the body. Once injected, there will be a sharp spike in testosterone within the first 24-48 hours post injection. From here the hormone will continually separate and dissipate through the body. By its time frame, Testosterone Enanthate carries a half-life of approximately 8 days, which will allow for as little as one injection every 2 weeks in a therapeutic setting. However, every 7-10 days will prove far more effective in maintaining stability.

 

As is with all testosterone hormones, Testosterone Enanthate carries an anabolic rating of 100 and an androgenic rating of 100. The testosterone hormone is the basis by-which all ratings of all anabolic steroids are measured. And unlike the ratings of some steroids, testosterone’s translate perfectly from its structural nature to functional basis. This hormone will present high levels of anabolic and androgenic activity.

On a functional basis, Testosterone Enanthate is the perfect remedy for treating low testosterone. If you suffer from low testosterone, this simply means your body is no longer producing enough of this primary androgen on its own. As Testosterone Enanthate is simply that, testosterone, it will remedy the low level condition. Millions upon millions of men worldwide suffer from some type of low level androgen deficiency. In the U.S. alone it is estimated that more than 20 million men suffer from an androgen deficiency. Women can also suffer from low testosterone and Testosterone Enanthate can treat it. However, most women will be better served with alternative forms of testosterone treatment such as gels that contain a mixture of testosterone and progesterone or small testosterone implant pellets like Testopel.

For the man who suffers from low testosterone, there are numerous symptoms that can occur. This condition can negatively affect your physical, mental and sexual wellbeing in a host of ways. The symptoms themselves are not life threatening; however, it is an unhealthy condition, very bothersome and can be an open doorway to many far more serious conditions. The symptoms of low testosterone include:

• Loss of Libido (can refer to partial or total loss)
• Erectile Dysfunction (inability to maintain or obtain and erection)
• Loss of Muscle Mass (despite diet & exercise)
• Loss of Strength (despite diet & exercise)
• Increased Body Fat (despite diet & exercise)
• Loss of Mental Clarity
• Decreased Ability to Focus
• Lethargy
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Decreased Energy
• Depression
• Weakened Immune System

If you suffer from low levels you may not suffer from all the symptoms. Most commonly you will suffer from one of the sexually related from the get go but this isn’t necessarily a guarantee. As time goes by, if ignored the condition will lead to you experiencing more symptoms. In fact, it’s very possible that you could end up suffering from every last symptom on the list. There truly is no reason for suffering from low testosterone, especially when treatment with compounds like Testosterone Enanthate is so effective and simple to administer. It’s also important to keep in mind if the condition is ignored low testosterone has been linked to contributing to many far more serious conditions such as:

• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Diabetes
• Osteoporosis
• Infertility
• Polyuria
• Anxiety
• Heart Disease

If you suffer from any of the aforementioned symptoms of low testosterone, you are strongly encouraged to seek out treatment. Talk to your doctor about the condition and seek out treatment with compounds like Testosterone Enanthate. If your doctor is unwilling, go to another doctor. You will find many physicians are increasingly becoming more educated on the topic, but there are still those who refuse to give the matter the attention it deserves.

For the performance enhancing athlete, Testosterone Enanthate will benefit them the same as it did the low testosterone patient. They will find their physical, mental and sexual wellbeing to be greatly improved. However, for this individual he will be taking his testosterone levels far beyond baseline. He will be taking his levels above and beyond what could ever be naturally produced. As a result, there are five important traits of testosterone that will be greatly enhanced and are imperative to performance enhancement success. We will go into how the hormone can be beneficial due to these traits in most all cycles, but we need to begin with what makes these traits important.

[1] Enhanced Protein Synthesis:

Protein represents the primary building block of muscle tissue, where synthesis represents the rate by-which cells build proteins. By supplementing with Testosterone Enanthate, the rate of synthesis is enhanced. This promotes higher levels of anabolic activity and enhances the body’s ability to recover.

[2] Enhanced Nitrogen Retention:

By enhancing nitrogen retention, we protect the anabolic atmosphere and to a degree enhance it even more. All lean muscle tissue is comprised of approximately 16% nitrogen and when levels fall this leads to a catabolic (muscle wasting) state. By maintaining a positive nitrogen balance, we remain more anabolic. This will enhance tissue growth abilities and will be imperative when dieting when it comes to protecting lean muscle tissue.

[3] Increased Red Blood Cell Count:

By increasing our red blood cell count we greatly increase our muscular endurance. This is due to red blood cells being responsible for carrying oxygen to and through the blood. Greater blood oxygenation equates greater output, more endurance and even plays a role on recovery.

[4] Increased IGF-1 Output:

Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) is a naturally produced protein hormone (peptide class) that is primarily produced by the liver. This hormone is highly anabolic and affects nearly every cell in the human body. It is also directly tied to Human Growth Hormone (HGH) as HGH largely regulates its production. The hormone also plays a strong role on the body’s ability to heal and recover affecting muscle tissue, cartilage, nerves, tendons, ligaments and even our central nervous system among many other areas.

[5] Inhibition of Glucocorticoids:

Glucocorticoid hormones are naturally produced steroidal hormones; however, they are not anabolic. In fact, glucocorticoid hormones are catabolic (muscle wasting) as they destroy muscle tissue and promote fat gain. Cortisol is the most well-known glucocorticoid hormone or as they’re often known stress hormones. These hormones are necessary to a degree in the body but not in large amounts. By inhibiting these hormones, we again promote a stronger anabolic atmosphere.

When we take our testosterone levels to a high level state, the above traits of the testosterone hormone are enhanced. There is more hormone available to do what the hormone does best. This may all sound very simple but that’s only because it is very simple. Anabolic steroids like Testosterone Enanthate are nowhere nearly as complicated as they’re often made out to be. They are simply synthetic hormones based on the very hormones our body already produces.

Effects of Testosterone Enanthate:

If you suffer from low testosterone the effects of Testosterone Enanthate simply mean you will suffer from low testosterone no longer. The symptoms associated with the condition will vanish and each one of those areas of your life will be improved. If you suffer from low testosterone, you should also know that the only thing that will fully remedy the condition is direct testosterone therapy through hormones like Testosterone Enanthate.

For the performance enhancing athlete, the effects of Testosterone Enanthate will be highly versatile and will stretch across all aspects of performance. The direction you go will be dependent on your diet and training. This isn’t a bulking steroid or a cutting steroid; it is simply a steroid that can serve all purposes of supplementation.

For the off-season individual, there are very few anabolic steroids that can promote lean tissue growth like Testosterone Enanthate. The individual will be able to pack on raw size at a significant rate so as long as adequate calories are consumed. You must still eat to grow and you will still need to train. This is not a magical supplement nor is there anything magical about anabolic steroids despite the popular perception. As you will be able to pack on a lot of size, as a bonus you will be able to do so with less body fat accumulation that would otherwise occur. High levels of testosterone will enhance the individual’s overall metabolic rate tremendously. This isn’t a license to eat with no end in sight, you can still gain fat but you should be able to make better use of your calories.

Then we have the cutting cycle and high levels of testosterone provided by Testosterone Enanthate can prove to be invaluable. In order to lose body fat we must burn more calories than we consume. You can eat the healthiest food on earth and exercise four hours a day, but if you’re consuming more than you burn you will not lose any fat. Due to the necessary caloric restriction, this can put our lean muscle mass at risk. The body will take what it needs to meet its energy demands from anywhere it can get it and this can include muscle tissue. A well planned diet will be designed to burn body fat not muscle, but as we become leaner the body will begin preserving the body fat due to its survival instinct and take what it needs from muscle tissue. By supplementing with Testosterone Enanthate, the pronounced enhancement of anabolic action will protect this lean tissue and ensure we only burn body fat. It will also see our metabolism greatly enhanced so that we burn body fat at a more efficient rate.

The final effects of Testosterone Enanthate will be enjoyed by all those who use the steroid regardless of their direct purpose of use. High testosterone levels will result in greater muscular endurance. You will not tire out as fast and will have the ability to do more work. You will also find your overall rate of recovery is greatly improved, which is essential to progress. Progress is not made in the gym. When we train we actually tear down muscle tissue. It is through recovery that we progress. This makes compounds like Testosterone Enanthate not only invaluable to bodybuilders and recreational gym rats but to athletes as well. Endurance and recovery are two of the key elements to successful athletic performance. As an added bonus, high testosterone levels will increase the individual’s strength. This is obviously an advantage to an athlete and is very welcomed in an off-season cycle designed for physique enhancement. During a diet under caloric restriction, especially in harsh diets of a competitive bodybuilding nature, the individual shouldn’t expect much if any strength increase but he should be able to maintain more of it.

Side Effects of Testosterone Enanthate:

There are possible side effects of Testosterone Enanthate use, but we will find they are extremely easy to avoid for the healthy adult male. When we refer to the healthy adult male we are excluding the issue of low testosterone. For the low level patient, the probability of side effects will be extremely low. In such a case, the individual is merely replacing what he’s lacking and nothing more. For the performance athlete, the side effects of Testosterone Enanthate will carry a greater probability, but should still be very controllable. Most men can tolerate high levels of testosterone very well. However, as with many things in life individual response and sensitivity issues will play a role. This is not unique to Testosterone Enanthate but holds true with all things we put in our body. In order to understand the possible side effects of Testosterone Enanthate, we have broken them down into their separate categories along with all the information you’ll need.

[1] Estrogenic:

Testosterone Enanthate is an estrogenic hormone in that the testosterone hormone can convert to estrogen due to its interaction with the aromatase enzyme. When aromatized, as estrogen levels rise this can lead to gynecomastia and excess water retention. Excess water retention, if severe can also promote high blood pressure. The odds of these side effects of Testosterone Enanthate being problematic for the low level patient are low, but it is possible. The odds will increase with supraphysiological doses.

In order to combat the estrogenic side effects of Testosterone Enanthate, the use of an anti-estrogen medication is often recommended. You have two choices in classes of anti-estrogens, Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERM’s) or Aromatase Inhibitors (AI’s). A SERM like Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate) will function by binding to the estrogen receptors, which in turn prevents the estrogen hormone from binding. AI’s like Arimidex (Anastrozole) will function by directly inhibiting the aromatase process and lowering the body’s serum estrogen levels. AI’s are without question the most effective means in combating the estrogenic side effects of Testosterone Enanthate. Unfortunately, they can also prove problematic when it comes to cholesterol. Testosterone can also prove problematic to cholesterol to a degree, often only slightly and the effect of an AI alone is slight. However, combined together, exogenous testosterone and an AI it appears this can have a markedly negative effect. It is controllable but is something you need to be aware of. Conversely, SERM’s will not have a negative effect on cholesterol. In fact, SERM’s, while anti-estrogens will actually have a positive effect on cholesterol as they act as estrogen in the liver. SERM’s should always be your first choice if they can get the job done, but many, especially when supraphysiological doses of testosterone are used will need an AI.

[2] Androgenic:

The androgenic side effects of Testosterone Enanthate can be fairly strong but are highly dependent on genetic predispositions. The androgenic effects include acne, accelerated hair loss in those predisposed to male pattern baldness and body hair growth. Those who are not predisposed to male pattern baldness will not lose the first hair on their head. Those who are generally not sensitive to acne will rarely have a problem.

The androgenic side effects of Testosterone Enanthate are due to the testosterone hormone’s ability to reduce to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) due to the hormone being metabolized by the 5-alpha reductase enzyme. Some men may find the use of a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor like Finasteride to be useful. This will reduce the hormone’s androgenicity. It will not completely reduce the total androgenicity but it will have a strong effect.

[3] Cardiovascular:

The use of exogenous testosterone can have a negative effect on cholesterol, particularly in the suppression or reduction of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol). Low doses of Testosterone Enanthate have been shown to have very little negative effect on HDL cholesterol, but when conjoined with an AI doses of 200-300mg per week have been shown to suppress HDL cholesterol by 20-25%. Higher doses of Testosterone Enanthate, 300-600mg per week without an AI have been shown to reduce HDL cholesterol by 13-21%. With an added AI, this will markedly increase.

Due to the potential adverse effects on cholesterol, those who supplement with Testosterone Enanthate should ensure they are living a cholesterol friendly lifestyle. Those who live a cholesterol friendly lifestyle should not have a problem so as long as no underlying issues exists. A healthy lifestyle should include a cholesterol friendly diet that is rich in omega fatty acids. Daily fish oil supplementation is recommended. The individual’s diet should also be low in saturated fats and simple sugars and he should incorporate plenty of cardiovascular activity into his routine.

[4] Testosterone:

The use of Testosterone Enanthate will suppress natural testosterone production. For the low testosterone patient this is not a concern. Such an individual is no longer producing enough testosterone to begin with. For the performance athlete, while on cycle this is also of no concern as the exogenous testosterone being administered will provide your body with all it needs. Once the use of all anabolic steroids comes to an end natural testosterone production will begin again. However, you will not return to normal overnight, this will take some time.

Once use has come to an end, most men are encouraged to implement a Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) plan. A quality and effective PCT plan will include SERM’s like Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate) and Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate) and the peptide hormone HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin). Without a PCT plan, while you may very well recover it will take an enormous amount of time. You will also be putting your hard earned muscle tissue at great risk as a prolonged low testosterone state is the perfect atmosphere for cortisol to become a dominant hormone. By incorporating a PCT plan, while it will not return you to normal on its own it will speed up the process. A solid PCT plan will ensure you have enough testosterone for proper bodily function while your levels continue to naturally rise.

An important note on natural testosterone recovery; natural recovery assumes no prior low testosterone condition existed. It also assumes the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Testicular-Axis (HPTA) was not severely damaged due to improper anabolic steroid use.

[5] Hepatotoxicity:

Testosterone Enanthate is not toxic to the liver. This steroid will present no stress or damage to the vital organ.

Testosterone Enanthate Administration:

To treat low testosterone, standard Testosterone Enanthate doses will fall in the 100-200mg every 7-10 day range most commonly. However, some physicians will split the total dosing up and administer it every five days. Less common in the U.S. some physicians will prescribe doses of 200-400mg every 2-3 weeks and in some cases every 4 weeks. This is very inefficient but a practice some follow. The total duration of treatment will be indefinite. Most men who need low testosterone treatment will need it for life. This may sound annoying but ask yourself an important question; would you rather suffer from low testosterone or treat it?

In a performance enhancement setting, common Testosterone Enanthate doses will fall in the 200-500mg per week range. 200-250mg per week is very common if the hormone is only being used to combat natural testosterone suppression caused by the use of other anabolic steroids. For a true anabolic effect, most men will find 400-500mg per week to be highly effective and very easy to control. Such doses will normally be split into two equal doses per week for a total weekly dosing. Doses can go higher than 500mg per week; however, many men will find the 500mg range to be all they need. If more is desired, many men will find 600-1,000mg per week can be tolerated and controlled but doses that approach the 1,000mg mark will greatly increase the probability of adverse effects. How much testosterone a man can tolerate and control will vary from one man to the next. However, most men will find doses above 1,000mg per week all but guarantee side effects at some level.

Regardless of your purpose of use, Testosterone Enanthate stacks well with all anabolic steroids. There is, however, no reason to stack it with another testosterone. This would be pointless in most cases. Simply choose other steroids that meet the desired purpose of use most efficiently.