Propionate

(Testosterone Propionate)

Testosterone Propionate represents a small ester based testosterone compound. Esters are attached in order to control the release time of a hormone once administered. Propionate based testosterone represents the first testosterone compound to ever have an ester attached. When synthetic testosterone was first created, it was in its raw form and frequent injections were needed, often daily. In 1937, Schering AG would introduce the first ester based testosterone by attaching the Propionate ester. This also represents the first testosterone compound and the first anabolic steroid to ever be made available for commercial use. Propionate would remain the dominant force for twenty years, but in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s large ester based versions began to decrease the need for the Propionate version. It is still available today and very common in performance enhancement circles. However, the large ester based Testosterone Cypionate and Testosterone Enanthate are the dominant forms of testosterone on the global market.

Propionate Traits:

Testosterone Propionate refers to a pure testosterone hormone that has a small Propionate ester attached. Attaching the Propionate ester slows down the release of the hormone after it has been administered. The Propionate version carries an active half-life of approximately 2 days, and injection frequency is based on this half-life. For therapeutic purposes it will need to be injected 2-3 times per week. In a performance setting in order to maintain stable yet maximum peaked blood levels, every other day injections are best.

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Testosterone Propionate is a synthetic testosterone. While it is synthetic it represents the same hormone that is naturally and essentially produced by the human body. The only difference in the synthetic version and naturally produced is its starting point of origin. This makes Propionate a perfect remedy for treating low testosterone. This is a condition in which the individual no longer produces enough of the hormone on his own, and as a result, exogenous testosterone must be applied in order to meet the body’s needs. This is not a life threatening condition; however, it comes with some extremely bothersome symptoms, and it can diminish your quality of life. Those who ignore the condition will also find it greatly increases their chances of suffering from chronic depression, Alzheimer’s, diabetes and even osteoporosis. Low testosterone symptoms include:

  • Loss of Libido
  • Erectile Dysfunction
  • Loss of Strength (despite diet & exercise)

· Loss of Muscle Mass (despite diet & exercise)

  • Increased Body Fat (despite diet & exercise)
  • Loss of Energy
  • Lethargy
  • Decreased Mental Clarity
  • Insomnia
  • Decreased Rates of Physical Recovery
  • Depression
  • Irritability
  • Weakened Immune System

If you supplement with Propionate based testosterone, you will find the above symptoms to be remedied each and every time if they were a result of a low level condition. If you do not suffer from low levels but are using Propionate for performance purposes you will find the related areas of your life are also greatly improved. This, along with five primary steroidal traits, is why so many performance enhancing athletes use Testosterone Propionate. In a performance setting, we are taking the same hormone yet administering it at a level that increases our testosterone levels far beyond what could ever be naturally produced. By doing so, the following traits are greatly enhanced:

  • Enhanced Protein Synthesis
  • Enhanced Nitrogen Retention
  • Increased IGF-1 Production
  • Increased Red Blood Cell Count
  • Decreased Glucocorticoid Production

Through the above traits, this makes Testosterone Propionate the perfect anabolic steroid for nearly all performance related goals. It is truly one of the most versatile anabolic compounds on earth. Your diet will play a role in regards to the direction you go, but the primary goals can all be obtained.

· Mass: With excess calories, you will gain significant muscle mass and more than you would without higher levels of testosterone. More importantly, you will do so with less body fat accumulation due to this steroid holding strong metabolic enhancing properties.

· Strength: Strength will always greatly increase during a bulking phase, but this steroid will give you the ability to increase strength even with maintenance level calories. It will also greatly preserve strength during a cutting phase.

· Cutting: Testosterone Propionate will greatly protect your lean muscle mass when dieting. In order to lose body fat you must be in a caloric deficit and this will put your lean muscle tissue at risk. Propionate will protect it and even enhance the rate of fat loss due to its metabolic enhancing properties.

· General: All who supplement with Testosterone Propionate will find their muscular endurance is greatly enhanced, as is their overall rate of recovery. You will not tire out as fast, and you will recover sooner and at a more efficient rate from strenuous activity.

Side Effects of Propionate:

Testosterone Propionate is well-tolerated by most healthy adult men, but this does not mean side effects are impossible. With proper and responsible use most men will not experience any adverse effects; after all, it’s just testosterone, a hormone all human beings are very familiar with. Low level patients will carry the least amount of risk. They are not increasing their testosterone levels exponentially but rather merely replacing what they are lacking. Side effects may still occur, but for the otherwise healthy adult male they will be rare.

The side effects of Propionate based testosterone will be of the greatest concern for performance enhancing athletes. Such use promotes very high levels and more testosterone to potentially lead to an adverse reaction. There are two separate primary categories such individuals need to be aware of, but with responsible use and preventative measures the side effects of Propionate can largely be avoided.

· Estrogenic: Testosterone has the ability to convert to estrogen through the aromatase enzyme, and this can promote gynecomastia (male breast enlargement) and excess water retention. It can also promote high blood pressure if water retention gets out of hand. The use of an anti-estrogen is often needed. The two primary choices of protection include Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERM’s) and Aromatase Inhibitors (AI’s). SERM’s prevent the estrogen from binding to the receptors by binding in their place. AI’s inhibit the aromatase process from occurring and even lower the body’s total estrogen levels. AI’s are the most effective but they can have an adverse effect on cholesterol. You will need to put in some effort into controlling your cholesterol if an AI is used. Even if it isn’t used you will want to put in some effort as exogenous testosterone can lower HDL cholesterol levels.

· Androgenic: Testosterone has the ability to reduce to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) through the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, thereby promoting androgenic related effects. Such effects can include acne, body hair growth and hair loss in men predisposed to male pattern baldness. Some may find the use of a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor to be useful. It’s not always needed but it can buy you some time when it comes to hair loss if you are predisposed. Acne will generally only be a concern for those genetically sensitive to acne to begin with and body hair growth is often genetically dependent.