Testosterone Cypionate Profile

By Leigh Penman
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Updated: October 7, 2008

By Leigh Penman

This is part of a continuing series provided exclusively by MuscleSport Mag giving information on a variety of performance-enhancing drugs for educational purposes. While it is apparent that people are going to use these substances regardless of the health and legal risks involved, quality information is necessary and learning as much about them as possible can only assist an adult making a decision either way.

Testosterone Cypionate is a testosterone which has undergone 17 beta-estrification. Due to the length of its ester (8 carbons) it is stored mostly in adipose (fat) tissue upon intra-muscular injection from where it is released at a slow and steady rate. It peaks at 24-48 hours and then exhibits a slow and steady release over the course of 12 days. Although the compound stays in your system for up to three weeks, most athletes choose to inject it on a weekly basis.

Testosterone itself is a highly anabolic and androgenic hormone (rating 100 on each index). Its primary mode of action is to increase nitrogen retention in the muscle. It is also known to increase levels of growth factor IGF-1 in both muscle tissue and in the liver.
In addition to this, testosterone increases the activity of ‘satellite cells’. These are cells which surround the muscle tissue and play an active role in repairing damaged muscle tissue and contribute to the growth of new muscle.

Other factors linked with testosterone administration include a reduction in catabolic glucocorticoid hormones and an increase in red blood cell production (which contributes to increased stamina and endurance as well as a better ‘muscle pump’ when working out. Recent research also points to testosterone being a possible protective agent in the war against heart disease as well as a positive contributor to the fat loss process.

SIDE EFFECTS

The downside of a long acting ester like Cypionate is that it can lead to more water retention (although this can be somewhat alleviated by ensuring adequate water consumption and keeping a check on your intake of carbohydrates). Testosterone is also metabolized in the body to the female hormone estrogen by the aromatize enzyme. This can result in gynecomastia (the growth of breast tissue in men) some fat gain, testicular shrinkage and an increase in blood pressure. Hair loss and possible swelling of the prostate are also potential side effects.

STACKING TIPS

Although using testosterone by itself is perfectly acceptable, it is often stacked with substances such as Deca Durabolin, Equipoise, Primobolan or oral compounds with a high anabolic index (e.g. Winstrol, Anavar). This is a good idea in terms of both muscle growth and collagen synthesis. Testosterone increases protein synthesis by about 50-60% but it also reduces collagen synthesis by 50%. Since collagen is the substance joints and ligaments are composed of you can see how important it is to the recipe for muscle growth and protection form injury.

FOR YOUR PROTECTION

Anti-estrogens are essential when undertaking a cycle of testosterone. After a cycle is completed testosterone levels are usually suppressed and levels of estradiol are usually high due to aromatization. The use of HCG, Nolvadex/Clomid is usually the prescribed after cycle therapy. HCG injections should be started during the final week of the cycle and continued for 3-4 weeks (usually 1500-3000 i.u. every 5-6 days). HCG acts as an alternative to LH (Luteinizing Hormone) and kick starts normal testosterone production. Then about two weeks after the final shot of testosterone Nolvadex/Clomid should be started. The normal dose being up to 40mg Nolvadex or 150mg Clomid every days for two weeks. This can be followed by two more weeks of either 20mg Nolvadex or 100mg Clomid following the discontinuance of HCG.

EFFECTIVE DOSAGE

The usually dosage for Testosterone Cypionate is anything from 400 – 1000mg per week. Higher doses have been reported but, as always, increased dosages go hand in hand with increased side effects.

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).

Relocating to New York in the late 1990s she focused her writing attention to crystal healing techniques and metaphysics – however, she still maintained a five day workout schedule during this time and gained her personal training certificate.

Having also studied pharmacology in relation to sports performance, her writing began taking her in that direction until the present day which sees her embarking on a return to the magazine world, as well as extending her web-related work in the bodybuilding and fitness field.

Leigh has been working out for close to thirty years so she is clearly a writer who ‘walks her talk.’
She can be contacted personally at zeal2heal@yahoo.com or you can also check her out at New York’s favorite metaphysical store www.stickstoneandbone.com.