You would think that they were discussing Marmite. What is it about Sustanon that causes such strong views? In this blog, we will attempt to objectively study Sustanon to provide you with a balanced view to help you decide if this is the best TRT option for you. Whenever Big Pharma and the medical profession team up the result of the collusion is always bad for the consumer.
Results of studies are manipulated by pharmaceutical companies to put their drugs in the best possible light statins anyone? Positive clinical trials are widely broadcast while papers on side effects are buried, never to see the light of day. In this pharma-medical team, however, we will provide all the facts, the good, the bad and the ugly.
Whether you decide to join us or go elsewhere for your TRT, our aim is the same; empowerment through education and knowledge.
Sustanon is a popular form of TRT that is readily available via the legal pharmaceutical chain in the UK. It is readily available but does tend to go out of stock, so it is best to ensure that the pharmacy you choose to collect from has adequate supplies. Sustanon is an oil-based Arachis or peanut oil injectable testosterone blend of four testosterone esters which have been modified by the addition of carboxylic acid esters propionic, propionic phenyl ester, isocaloric and decanoic acids at the beta hydroxyl position.
Sustanon contains the following:. Sustanon is available in 1ml ampules which contain mg of testosterone. Sustanon is administered by intramuscular injections. Sustanon is given by intramuscular injection due to the fact that if it is taken orally it will be subject to extensive first-pass metabolism by the liver.
Orally administered unmodified testosterone has a short half-life and poor bioavailability because it is readily metabolised in the liver. Testosterone is therefore chemically altered to produce clinically useful preparations.
In Sustanon the testosterone molecule has esters with differing side chains added to it. This chemical modification slows down the rate of absorption and breakdown and facilitates maintenance of therapeutically effective testosterone levels. Sustanon made its first appearance in the s.
However, the pharmaceutical company Aspen, based in Ireland, now manufactures the Sustanon for UK supply. What this means is that Sustanon is a combination of four different testosterone esters that together produce an extended-release profile. So, rather than taking the equivalent of four injections you just have to take one.
The four testosterone esters contained in Sustanon each have different durations of action. An ester is a chemical compound with the following general chemical structure. All you need to know is that when esters are added to the testosterone molecule it has the effect of making it more lipophilic, or more soluble in fat or oil. This is an important property of the testosterone esters which will be covered in more detail further on. To help understand what goes on when Sustanon is injected into the body it is helpful to study the structural formula of the testosterone molecule.
Brace yourself for some arcane chemistry symbols! So, when fully labelled we can count the number of carbon atoms in the testosterone molecule; there are From the point of view of the testosterone esters in Sustanon , the most important carbon atom is in position Carbon number 17 on the testosterone molecule is where the secret sauce is added.
The shortest chain being testosterone propionate and the longest is testosterone decanoate. Because there are 10 carbon deca atoms in the chain. Sustanon is designed to provide an initial rapid increase in testosterone levels followed by a more extended release profile.
This is based on the different release characteristics of the testosterone esters. The rationale behind the use of testosterone esters is to prolong the therapeutic window following administration, which will lead to fewer injections compared to unesterified steroid injections.
In these preparations, testosterone is esterified at the hydroxy position see above diagram. This modification of the molecule decreases the polarity less water-loving making it more lipophilic fat-loving , thus making the molecule more soluble in the injection oil. This has the effect of slowing down the absorption of testosterone from the area of injection.
Once in the bloodstream, the ester is removed hydrolysed — see below to release the free or active testosterone into the circulation, thereby creating a long-acting effect.
The testosterone esters in Sustanon each have different pharmacokinetic profiles and elimination release half-lives. Thus, each testosterone ester will diffuse into the blood in a sequence of increasing lipophilicity.
This will, in effect, cause a steady-state of normalised testosterone levels. Sustanon was designed to provide a more physiologic like testosterone level compared when the testosterone esters are used individually.
So, when the testosterone propionate has been eliminated then the testosterone phenylpropionate would kick in, and so on. Sequential diffusion of the esters from the area of injection would in theory facilitate steady-state levels of testosterone.
Studies have shown that these preparations are actually more likely to cause a higher initial supraphysiological above normal peak in testosterone levels. That means that there is significant overlap between the esters. This will be discussed in further details below when we will analyse the pharmacokinetic release studies on Sustanon This is a drug which is only activated once the body performs an enzymatic action on it.
In the case of Sustanon and other testosterone esters, it is a process called hydrolysis carried out by blood esterase enzymes. Hydrolysing esters involves splitting them into carboxylic acids or their salts and alcohols by the action of water, dilute acid or dilute alkali. Once the testosterone esters in Sustanon have been hydrolysed, the testosterone is released and can then enter the general circulation.
From the circulation, it can travel around the body to act on the androgen receptor AR inside cells. The unesterified testosterone, therefore, is the active substance for testosterone substitution therapy of male hypogonadism. The term pharmacokinetics refers to how the body acts on the drug in terms of administration, distribution, metabolism and excretion.
This is summarised by the acronym ADME. So, while pharmacokinetics describes how the body processes the drug, pharmacodynamics refers to the action the drug does to the body. Plasma testosterone levels return to the lower limit of the normal range in males in approximately 21 days.
After hydrolysis of the testosterone esters, the testosterone enters circulation in the plasma, or blood, where it hitches a ride on carrier proteins such as albumin and SHBG. Testosterone is metabolised to dihydrotestosterone via 5 alpha-reductase and oestradiol via the aromatase enzyme, which is found in adipose or fat tissue. Excretion mainly takes place via the urine as conjugates of etiocholanolone and androsterone. Liver strain will be significant albeit most likely tolerable , due to anadrol being the only hepatotoxic compound present.
However, cholesterol levels change drastically, almost certainly causing some level of hypertension. The risk of developing ar teriosclerosis and heart disease is high with this cycle, thus if users have a history of such in their family; it may be wise to avoid such an extreme cycle.
Testosterone suppression will almost certainly shut down, requiring the most aggressive PCT possible; ideally a trio of: clomid, nolvadex and hCG. Although the above cycles are the most popular protocols, testosterone can also be successfully stacked with other anabolic steroids, such as:.
Thus, weight gain may not be the best method for tracking results on testosterone; with before and after pictures being more telling. Users may lose some weight post-cycle, signifying a decrease in estrogen and thus a loss in extracellular fluid.
However, lean muscle tissue will be retained after a cycle finishes, should users continue lifting weights regularly. Firstly, androgenic-related side effects, including: oily skin, acne, accelerated baldness and increased aggressiveness are fairly common. As with all steroids, tolerance differs from person to person. It is only possible to gauge such sensitivity once a cycle is embarked upon.
That said, if users are particularly prone to acne breakouts or currently suffer from male pattern baldness, testosterone and other androgenic steroids can be expected to worsen such conditions. Further unwanted side effects can be experienced due to heightened oestrogen levels, that build up during a sustanon cycle, due to aromatization the conversion of testosterone into oestrogen.
Heightened oestrogen levels can cause increased water retention and gynecomastia — the formation of breast tissue. The initial stages of gynecomastia typically involve itchy or sore nipples, developing into a notable mass of tissue behind the nipple. If left unchecked, such tissue can continue to expand and is only rectifiable with surgery.
Thankfully, most users find testosterone tolerable and do not suffer from gynecomastia. For those that do, such oestrogen-related side effects can usually be controlled with either an anti-oestrogen or AI aromatase inhibitor. Anti-oestrogen products such as Nolvadex and Clomid actively compete with oestrogen at a receptor level, reducing their effects. Both Nolvadex and Clomid are inexpensive and easy to source — it is always advisable to have an ample supply on hand during and after a cycle.
They are also the primary drugs used during post cycle therapy PCT , to kickstart endogenous testosterone production. It is also possible to reduce oestrogen levels by taking an anti-aromatase drug, such as Letrozole or Anastrozole.
These drugs reduce the conversion of testosterone into oestrogen and are typically taken during a cycle by those prone to oestrogenic side effects. Testosterone will also suppress endogenous testosterone levels, causing potential testicular atrophy shrinkage. Thus, at the end of any cycle always ensure to run a proper post cycle therapy aiding the recovery of natural hormone production.
Sustanon does not cause any hepatic liver implications due to it being an injectable steroid. Sustanon , and other testosterone esters, will raise LDL cholesterol levels; however this effect is acute compared to other AAS. Inside Bodybuilding is a virtual health clinic, specializing in the treatment of bodybuilders who have taken AAS anabolic androgenic steroids.
Read more. Disclaimer : The content on insidebodybuilding. Your doctor will determine your specific needs and advise you personally during consultations on what medication to take. Touliatos provides services to Inside Bodybuilding, in the form of online consultations. Almost like clockwork, the combination of esters means you can accurately predict blood levels of testosterone. This makes it a very reliable method for testosterone replacement. It must be noted that individuals with a peanut allergy should not consider Sustanon because it contains peanut oil.
If you want to discuss the potential options for testosterone replacement therapy, get in contact with us today. We are not providing medical advice and are not a provider of medical care nor do we make any claims. The information on this page is not meant to be a substitute for medical advice provided by your healthcare practioner.
Please consult with your doctor should you have any questions or contact us to arrange a proper consulation with an independent doctor provider. The informaiton on this page may not necessarily reflect the views of all doctors in our network. This article has been researched and written based on scientific evidence and fact sheets that have then been crossed checked by our team of doctors and subject matter experts.
References, sources and studies used alongside our own in-house research have been cited below, most of which contain external clickable links to reviewed scientific paper that contain date stamped evidence.
We strive to provide you with the latest evidence based, researched articles that are unbiased, honest and provide you with accurate insights, statistics and helpful information on the discussed topic to ensure you gain a better understanding of the subject. We value your feedback on our articles, if you have a well-researched paper you would like to share with us please contact us. If you know your total testosterone reading from a previous blood test input the results to the left above to see if your testosterone levels are normal.
You may have low testosterone depending on the symptoms you have, please contact us to find out how we can help.
You must be over 38, have had your ovaries removed or have suffered with premature menopause to warrant further hormone tests. Please contact us to discuss your hormones, we need your total testosterone levels to validate your hormone deficiency. You can order a blood test here. You appear to have higher than normal testosterone levels, please contact us for further investigation.
You appear to have normal testosterone levels. Contact us if you have any concerns. Mike has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare sector, much of that working with people who have hormone imbalances. Mike has appeared on podcasts and radio and is an expert speaker on the subject of hormone imbalance. If you often wake up drenched in your sweat at night, you may think you need to install a better fan or AC.
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This article explains the connection between night sweats and testosterone levels. We have also talked about the best possible solution to reduce night sweats and […]. The male midlife crisis and how testosterone plays its part To help preserve skeletal muscle and avoid muscle wasting hormone replacement therapy HRT can be used to support an optimal hormone environment as we age.
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