Testosterone is the hormone that makes men, well, men! In this Profile, we´ll take a look at testosterone Cypionate, and examine the pros and cons of its use to improve performance in athletics and bodybuilding.
Testosterone is the hormone responsible for many different physical and mental characteristics in males. It promotes sex drive, fat loss, helps with gaining and maintaining lean muscle mass and bone density and may even protect against heart disease.(1) All other steroids are actually the testosterone molecule that has been altered to change the properties of the hormone. This would make testosterone the "father" of all other steroids employed by athletes today. In fact, testosterone is the standard for the anabolic/androgenic ratio we use, it´s a "perfect" 100 score, against which we measure all other steroids.
As I previously stated, testosterone is a highly anabolic and androgenic hormone, it has an anabolic (muscle building) rating of 100, making it a good drug to use if one is in pursuit of more size and strength. And if you aren´t in pursuit of more size and strength, then why would you be reading this, right? Well, let´s get on with it and look at exactly what makes testosterone a good mass builder. Firstly, testosterone promotes nitrogen retention in the muscle (2) the more nitrogen the muscles holds the more protein the muscle stores. Testosterone can also increase the levels of another anabolic hormone, IGF-1, in muscle tissue (3). Testosterone also has the amazing ability to increase the activity of satellite cells (4). These cells play a very active role in repairing damaged muscle. Testosterone also binds to the androgen receptor to promote A.R dependant mechanisms for muscle gain and fat loss, (5) it also significantly increases the concentrations of the A. R in cells critical for muscle repair and growth and A.R in muscle.(4, 6 ). Testosterone induces changes in shape, size and also can change the appearance and the number of muscle fibers (7). Androgens like testosterone can protect your hard earned muscle from the catabolic (muscle wasting) glucocorticoid hormones (8), thus inhibiting the actions of them. In addition, Testosterone has the ability to increase red blood cell production (9), and a higher RBC count may improve endurance via better oxygenated blood. More RBCs can also improve recovery from strenuous physical activity. As you may have suspected, Testosterones´ anabolic/androgenic effects are dose dependant, the higher the dose the higher the muscle building effect (10).
Steroid.com members report massive strength gains while using testosterone (11). Testosterone improves muscle contraction by increasing the number of motor neutrons in muscle (4) and improves neuromuscular transmission (12). It also promotes glycogen synthesis (13) providing more fuel for intense workouts thus increasing endurance and strength. Also note that the water retention from testosterone use will cause the muscle to spring back when compressed during the lowering of a weight. Testosterone promotes aggressive and dominant behavior (14), this would explain the boost of confidence which gives athletes the mental edge they need to move the heavy iron.
Testosterone is also good at promoting fat loss. Having an anti-estrogenic effect it creates an ideal fat loss environment. Test binds to the A.R on fat cells resulting in fat break-down and also prevents new fat formation.(15) Another indirect action of fat loss that test produces is the nutrient portioning effect it has on muscle and fat. Since the body is building muscle at an accelerated rate more of the food you eat is shuttled to muscle tissue and away from fat.
Is there anything testosterone can´t do?
Testosterone Cypionate is an injectable oil which contains testosterone with the Cypionate ester attached to the testosterone molecule. The ester denotes the release pattern of the test after it is injected into the body. This particular ester gives the testosterone an active life of 15-16 days, although blood levels of this drug fall sharply five days post-administration, testosterone levels are still above baseline after a week (24). Stable blood levels can be achieved with once per week injections. Steriod.com members often administer the drug twice weekly or every three to five days days. On a funny side note, many steroid users believe that test cyp is more or less powerful than the other popular injectable testosterone enanthate. The truth is, they are almost identical in release patterns, so there is virtually no difference between the two. However, as far back as the printing of the first Underground Steroid Handbook, there has been speculation that Cyp had more "kick" than Enth.
Testosterone is highly versatile and should be considered the "base" of anabolic/androgenic steroid cycles because of its muscle building potential as well as for the fact that it prevents the loss of sex drive that sometime affects those who neglect to use it with other HPTA suppressive anabolics, (especially the 19-nor family). Test can be used for any body building goal whether it´s fat loss or muscle gain. An excellent drug for beginners it´s also cheap making it a top-notch choice for anyone interested in utilizing anabolics to reach their bodybuilding or athletic goals. With regards to this particular version of testosterone, you should be paying no more than $75 for a 10cc bottle of it, dosed at 200mgs/ml. Of course, as usual, prices fluctuate, but I´d recommend sticking with a reputable underground lab, rather then Organon, UpJohn, or one of the many other expensive (and often counterfeited) companies.
Testosterone Cypionate Profile
17b-hydroxy-4-androsten-3-one
Testosterone base + Cypionate ester
Formula: C27 H40 O3
Molecular Weight: 412.6112
Molecular Weight (base): 288.429
Molecular Weight (ester): 132.1184
Formula (base): C19 h38 O2
Formula (ester): C8 H14 O2
Melting Point (base): 155
Melting Point (ester): 98 - 104 C
Manufacturer: Various
Effective Dose (Men): 300-2000mg+ week
Effective Dose (Women): Not recommended
Active life: 15-16 days
Detection Time: 3 months
Anabolic/Androgenic ratio:100/100.
