Here are a few of what you should be filling your goodie bag with:

SBL Rush – Enhanced Energy and No Crash

The following is a list of benefits that have been reported while on SBL Rush™

• Sustained energy from 8-12 hours
• Increase in body temperature
• Higher mental and sensory acuity
• Rapid results from time of ingestion
• Appetite suppressing
• Decrease in cravings

SBL Lean – Appetite Suppressant

The following is a list of benefits that have been reported while on SBL Lean™

• Supports proper digestive chemical and hormonal functions
• Provides satiety (or the sensation of feeling full)
• Eliminates cravings
• Empowers subjects to control caloric intake
• Allows for better food

SBL Gamer Enhanced Energy & Focus

The following is a list of benefits that have been reported while on SBL Gamer™

• Sustained energy from 8-12 hours
• Higher mental and sensory acuity
• NO Crashing
• NO Jitters
• Can Turn into Chuck Norris
• Auto-Head Shot

You will be reading a lot about Smith-Btyant Labs right here on our website and in our online magazine. For more information, please visit www.smithbryantlabs.com.

Elotroxin is a synthetic form of the thyroid hormone T4. It is less powerful than the more powerful T3 metabolites (e.g. Cytomel, Tirtricol) however; it is the most prescribed thyroid medication in the USA.

Although the mechanism of action of thyroid hormones is not completely understood, the principle effect is to increase the metabolic rate of body tissues. When the thyroid is under active, all body processes slow down and symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue, and decreased body temperature are experienced. The use of supplementary thyroid hormones will increase basal metabolic rate and this allows the body to burn more calories and use them more efficiently. It is for this reason that thyroid hormones are particularly popular during the pre-contest dieting phase for those involved in competitive bodybuilding.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THYROID HORMONES

Thyroid hormones are essential to the proper development of all cells in the body. They also regulate protein, carbohydrate and fat metabolism, which, in turn, leads to an increase in protein synthesis and overall energy levels.

When Elotroxin (T4) is administered your body will convert it to the more active T3 via your body’s natural metabolic pathways. This process depends on the presence of the deiodinase enzyme. Now, it has to be said, that numerous studies have shown that during reduced calorie intake, and/or when carbohydrate intake is reduced, levels of the key enzyme deiodinase decline. This obviously hinders the conversion of T4 to the physiologically active T3. This is why most pre-contest dieters prefer to include drugs such as Cytomel and Tirtricol in their drug regimen. So where does this leave drugs like Elotroxin?

THE CASE FOR ELOTROXIN

Okay, so by now you are probably wondering why on earth you should bother with a drug like Elotroxin when you can cut to the chase and head for the T3 products on the market.

Well, there is a case for T4 supplementation and recently this drug has become more popular both off-season and pre-contest. The reason for this is due to the fact that Elotroxin (T4) has proven to be a bit more muscle sparing and it has been found to work very well when taken with growth hormone- the two seeming to have a synergistic effect. Since many bodybuilders now use growth hormone during contest dieting, T4 has found a new place in pre-contest prep. In fact, as the use of growth hormone increases, the interest in T4 has risen significantly. Add to this the aforementioned muscle sparing effect of T4 and you can understand why there is a significant case for the use of drugs such as Elotroxin.

METABOLISM AND DOSAGE

Following oral administration, the absorption of Elotroxin varies between 50-70% especially when it is taken with food. For this reason it is recommended that it be taken on an empty stomach, 30mins prior to food. It should also be taken with a full glass (8oz) of water since the tablet can dissolve very quickly and swell in the throat causing choking. Morning administration is preferred and patience is required since it may take several weeks to gain a noticeable response.

The use of sucralfate or aluminum containing antacids may decrease the absorption of this drug, as will the ingestion of iron supplements. With this in mind, an interval of two hours should be allowed between administration of the drug and these substances.

In terms of dosage, Elotroxin requires significantly higher doses than either Cytomel or Tiratricol to be effective. Subjects have found they needed to use a dosage of up to 300mcg/day to achieve the same results as 25-100mcg/day of T3. However, as with all medications it is recommended that you start low to assess tolerance.

SYMPTOMS OF OVERDOSE

Overdose can be expected to cause the typical signs and symptoms associated with thyrotoxicosis. These include palpitations, nervousness, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, sweating, tremors, increased pulse and blood pressure, headache, insomnia, fever and cardiac dysrhythmia. Severe overdose can lead to ‘thyroid storm’ and should be managed by discontinuation for 2 – 7 days followed by a resumption of treatment with lower doses. Thyroid Storm is a serious condition and that is why any thyroid medication should be taken with care initially especially since the effects of toxic overdose may take several days to occur.

That is why drugs such as Elotroxin may be a safe place to start when it comes to the use of thyroid medications since it is less harsh on the system than direct T3 metabolites for initial experimentation.

Elotroxin is currently available at a special price from Maxi Medicine at www.maximedicine.com.

Leigh Penman, in addition to be a staff writer at MuscleSport Mag, has been writing for bodybuilding magazines, websites and nutritional supplement companies since 1985. Whilst residing in the UK, she earned the reputation of being one of the top female writers in bodybuilding-related media. Her credits included being a contributing editor on all the magazines in production as well as filling the shoes of Ladies Editor and Showbiz Editor on two publications (the later being on Arnold’s sanctioned magazine, ‘Bodypower’). During this time she also competed successfully on four occasions (placing in the top four in all contests).