Enanthate
(Testosterone Enanthate)
Testosterone Enanthate is not only one of the oldest anabolic steroids in existence, it’s also one of the most popular today. Commonly referred to as Enanthate, which is simply the ester attached to the hormone, Testosterone Enanthate was the first large ester testosterone compound ever created. When the first batches of synthetic testosterone were made, they did not have an ester attached. Shortly after, Testosterone Propionate would be released in order to slow the hormones release time down. Ester free testosterone, now known as Testosterone Suspension, had to be injected daily, whereas Testosterone Propionate only once every other day to every three days. In the early 1950’s, Squibb would introduce the first batches of Enanthate to the market under the trade name Delatestryl. Several other pharmaceutical companies would own the name over the next several decades, but it would be the Testoviron Depot name that would become most commonly associated with Enanthate. Shortly after Delatestryl hit the market, Schering AG would release their own Testosterone Enanthate compound under the trade name Testoviron Depot. Schering has owned the product since its existence and it is the most commonly used Enanthate on earth. This makes it quite possibly the most commonly use anabolic steroid of all time.
Enanthate Traits:
Testosterone Enanthate is a synthetic testosterone compound that is identical to the testosterone hormone naturally produced by the human body. It is a large ester based form of the hormone. The large Enanthate ester is attached to the compound in order to slow the hormones release time down so less frequent injections are needed. Enanthate carries an active half-life of approximately 8 days and should normally be injected once per week in order to maintain stable levels. Twice per week with smaller doses rather than one large dose will prove to be very efficient. Some physicians will only prescribe Enanthate on the basis of one injection every 2-3 weeks, but this sends your testosterone levels on an up and down rollercoaster ride.
Testosterone Enanthate carries several of the primary anabolic steroidal traits, making it perfect for the performance enhancing athlete. It is also the perfect steroid for treating low testosterone; after all, it is testosterone. If you suffer from any of the following symptoms, you may need an Enanthate prescription:
- Loss of Libido
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Fat Gain (despite diet & exercise)
· Loss of Muscle Mass (despite diet & exercise)
- Loss of Strength (despite diet & exercise)
- Loss of Energy
- Depression
- Lethargy
- Irritability
- Insomnia
- Weakened Immune System
If you suffer from low testosterone and use Enanthate, it will remedy each problem if it was caused by a low level condition. It will also aid in preventing conditions that can occur due to long-term low testosterone such as Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and many other serious conditions. If you’re a performance enhancing athlete, you will notice improvements in all of the above related areas, but it is the traits of Enanthate in another category you’ll be more interested in. Enanthate will promote significantly the five following traits:
- Enhanced Protein Synthesis
- Enhanced Nitrogen Retention
- Increased Red Blood Cell Count
- Increased IGF-1 Production
· Decreased Glucocorticoid Production (stress hormones, i.e. cortisol)
Side Effects of Enanthate:
Testosterone Enanthate carries possible side effects of use. Low testosterone patients will rarely have a concern as they’re merely replacing lacking testosterone, but the risk will increase with performance level doses. Thankfully, this is an extremely well-tolerated hormone for most healthy adult men; after all, it’s just testosterone. Possible side effects of Enanthate include:
- Acne (androgenic)
- Hair Loss (androgenic)
- High Blood Pressure (secondary-estrogenic)
- Gynecomastia (estrogenic)
- Prostate Enlargement (androgenic)
- Water Retention (androgenic)
In order to combat the estrogenic side effects of Enanthate you have two options, Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERM’s) or Aromatase Inhibitors (AI’s.) The estrogenic side effects occur due to testosterone having the ability to aromatize, convert to estrogen, and when levels get too high the related effects may occur. SERM’s will bind to the receptors preventing the estrogen hormone from binding, while AI’s function by inhibiting the aromatase process and reducing the body’s total estrogen levels. AI’s are the most effective, but they can have a negative impact on cholesterol. SERM’s should be the first choice, and they can work to prevent gynecomastia, but they are often not enough and not enough at all for some in regards to water retention and the resulting high blood pressure it can cause.
The androgenic side effects of Enanthate are strongly dependent on genetics. Only those predisposed to male pattern baldness will risk losing any of their hair. They were going to lose it anyway, but the Testosterone Enanthate may speed it up. Acne is normally only a concern for those genetically sensitive. As for prostate enlargement, it will take a large DHT buildup for this to occur, and testosterone has the ability to convert to DHT. However, with responsible use this is rarely an issue for most men assuming there is no underlying issue. Many men may find the use of a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor to be useful in order to combat related effects. It can buy you some time in regards to hair loss if you are predisposed. Further, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors like Finasteride have been shown to have a tremendous positive effect on prostate enlargement.
Enanthate Use:
For the purpose of testosterone replacement therapy, Enanthate doses will normally fall in the 100-250mg per injection range given every 7-10 days. If your doctor prescribes it with a larger gap in-between injection times, you’re encouraged to find a new physician. For the purpose of performance enhancement, 500mg per week is a very common dose. Normally this will be split into two 250mg injections spaced out through the week. More can most certainly be used, a total of 1,000mg per week is not uncommon, but 500mg is all most will need and a great place to start. Keep in mind, the more you use will produce more results, but it will also increase the potential for negative side effects.
Despite message board myth and rumor, there is no set amount of time that Enanthate should be used. A few weeks is a waste, at minimum you’ll need 8 weeks to see any noticeable results, but as far as how long you can continue can vary based on innumerable factors. If you’re a low testosterone patient, there is no coming off unless you want to suffer from low testosterone again. For the performance athlete, 8 weeks is the minimum, 12-16 weeks will be far more effective, but it can go beyond this mark. It will not stop working just because you’ve reached a particular weak. Now, for the sake of your body’s ability to produce natural testosterone, it is best to discontinue use for a few months at a time while implementing a post cycle therapy recovery plan. This will ensure you don’t find yourself in a future low testosterone condition sooner than you would otherwise.