Testosterone Propionate Steroid Profile

Profile of Testosterone Propionate 

  • Structure: 4-androstene-3-one, 17beta-ol
  • Molecular Weight (base): 288.429
  • Molecular Weight (ester): 74.0792
  • Formula (base): C19 H28 O2
  • Formula (ester): C3H6O2
  • Melting Point (base): 155
  • Melting Point (ester): 21C
  • Manufacturer: Various
  • Effective Dose (Men): TRT – 25-50mg/2-3x/week – Performance: 100-200mg/every other day
  • Active life: <2 days
  • Detection Time: 2-3 weeks
  • Anabolic/Androgenic ratio: 100/100

Overview And History of Testosterone Propionate

One of the most significant testosterone compounds ever made is Testosterone Propionate, which is a single ester testosterone molecule. Synthetic testosterone was made in its purest form when it was initially developed. Simply put, there was no ester-linked, resulting in a fast-acting molecule that would necessitate a daily dosage regimen.

The first ester base testosterone, Testosterone Propionate, was released in 1937 by the German pharmaceutical corporation Schering under the brand name Testoviron. It would later use the same brand name for its Testosterone Enanthate product. The hormone's release timing could be adjusted and a more effective method of maintaining steady blood levels could be achieved by adding the Propionate ester to the hormone. This was not the case, though.

Test 600xDuring the 1960’s Testosterone Propionate would lose a lot of its popularity in favor of the larger ester base Testosterone Cypionate and Testosterone Enanthate compounds. Many performance-enhancing athletes believe the Propionate form will lead to less water retention than the dominating large ester forms of Testosterone. Regardless of the testosterone form, the hormone does not become active in the body until the ester detaches, and then the hormone is released.

Common sense tells us that when running a cutting cycle the individual will consume a calorie-restricted diet, one that is often healthier and with less of an abundance in carbohydrates. Then we have the fact that many often use less testosterone when dieting and if your total dose is less than an off-season dose there’s less active hormone available to promote water retention.

However, an advantage of Testosterone Propionate is that it can be easier to maintain stable and peaked blood levels of the hormone due to the very frequent injection protocol compared to large ester bases. Outside of performance enhancement, Testosterone Propionate has found several therapeutic uses.

Like all testosterone forms, the treatment of male androgen deficiency such as low testosterone has always been the most common point of use. This was for a decent amount of time the most commonly used testosterone for female medical treatment, but it has largely been removed from U.S. FDA approval in female patients.

It is still approved for male use in the U.S. but it will be found in medicinal circles more commonly in other parts of the world. However, Cypionate and Enanthate remain the dominant forms worldwide leaving Propionate to be primarily used in performance circles.

 

Chemical Properties of Testosterone Propionate

Testosterone Propionate is Testosterone with the Propionate ester attached to the Testosterone chemical structure, as previously stated. Propionic acid is specifically referred to as 'Propionate,' however once attached to Testosterone, it is correctly referred to as an ester bond in chemistry (or ester linkage).

The 17-beta hydroxyl group on the Testosterone molecule is linked to propanoic acid. Although esterified anabolic steroids are more fat-soluble and released more slowly from the injection site, this is not the fundamental reason why esters prolong the anabolic steroid's release rate.

Because enzymes try to dissolve the connection between the ester and the hormone once Testosterone Propionate enters the bloodstream, which takes a varied period, the half-life and release rate has been increased.

Enzymes remove the ester from the hormone, leaving just pure Testosterone free to accomplish its purpose in the body. The slower release rates are caused by enzymes cleaving off the ester from the Testosterone molecule. Testosterone has a half-life of roughly 2–4 hours when it is not linked to an ester.

The half-life of Testosterone is now extended to 4.5 days when the Propionate ester is bonded to it, resulting in Testosterone Propionate, which provides a delayed-release and activity of the hormone.

Although synthetic it is a perfect replica of the primary naturally produced male androgen testosterone. Attaching the ester, promotes a controlled release and allows the individual to inject the hormone less frequently.

Once Testosterone Propionate is injected, the ester slowly begins to detach from the hormone. As the ester is detached the testosterone hormone begins to release into the blood.

Although synthetic in nature, Testosterone Propionate is an efficient hormone for the treatment of low testosterone. While produced and essential for both sexes, men require approximately ten times that of women. If you suffer from low testosterone and more than 20 million men in the U.S. suffer from some type of androgen deficiency, Testosterone Propionate will remedy the problem. However, while effective, after all, it is testosterone, it is not a preferred form of treatment as it will require frequent injections.

Low testosterone is accompanied by a slew of symptoms. Although the symptoms are not life-threatening, they significantly reduce your quality of life. More significantly, ignoring the illness can lead to a slew of other, far more serious problems, some of which are life-threatening. The following are some of the signs and symptoms of low testosterone:

  • Loss of Libido (can refer to partial or total loss)
  • Erectile Dysfunction (inability to maintain or obtain an erection)
  • Loss of Muscle Mass (despite diet & exercise)
  • Loss of Strength (despite diet & exercise)
  • Increased Body Fat (despite diet & exercise)
  • Loss of Mental Clarity
  • Decreased Ability to Focus
  • Lethargy
  • Insomnia
  • Irritability
  • Decreased Energy
  • Depression
  • Weakened Immune System

If low testosterone is the cause, a regular dose of Testosterone Propionate will alleviate every symptom on this list. You may not have many symptoms in the early stages of low testosterone. Many males will first exhibit one of the sexually associated behaviors listed above, as well as one or more from the list.

While sexually related symptoms are the most prevalent, it is possible to have low testosterone without experiencing any of these symptoms at first. If the symptoms are neglected, they will worsen over time. Low testosterone, if neglected, can contribute to many considerably more serious illnesses, including:

  • Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Diabetes
  • Osteoporosis
  • Infertility
  • Polyuria
  • Anxiety
  • Heart Disease

This is a highly versatile anabolic steroid and high levels of the hormone will enhance several primary anabolic characteristics. Through this action, Testosterone Propionate will promote five key steroidal enhancement traits that will serve most any man tremendously well.

The five primary anabolic traits of Testosterone Propionate include:

  • Enhanced Protein Synthesis
  • Enhanced Nitrogen Retention
  • Increased Red Blood Cell Count
  • Increased IGF-1 Output
  • Inhibition of Glucocorticoid Hormones

Protein represents the primary building block of muscle tissue; this is essential to repair and recovery, which is where anabolic growth is promoted. The promotion of nitrogen will also enhance the anabolic atmosphere as all lean tissue is comprised of approximately 16% nitrogen. When nitrogen levels fall, this can lead to a catabolic (muscle wasting) state. Then we have the promotion of red blood cells.

Greater blood oxygenation results in greater muscular endurance, and enhanced recovery and again promotes the anabolic atmosphere. IGF-1 is a naturally produced protein hormone that is highly anabolic and essential to the body’s recovery and rejuvenation abilities.

This is a hormone that affects nearly every cell in the human body and will have a positive impact on muscle tissue, ligaments and tendons, cartilage, and even the central nervous system. Cortisol is the most well-known glucocorticoid and it is very easy for these hormones to become dominant in the body.

 

Side Effects of Testosterone Propionate

Testosterone Propionate is a very well-tolerated anabolic steroid for most healthy adult men. While carrying a high threshold of toleration, there are possible side effects of Testosterone Propionate use. For low-level patients, the side effects of Testosterone Propionate will rarely be a problem. However, most men can tolerate high testosterone levels very well. There is a cutoff point and it will vary from one man to the next, but most men can enjoy and control relatively high levels of the hormone.

The side effects of Testosterone Propionate will predominantly surround its estrogenic nature. As aromatization occurs, if estrogen levels become high this can lead to gynecomastia and excess water retention. Fortunately, it is very easy to control and avoid the estrogenic side effects of Testosterone Propionate.

You have two choices in anti-estrogens, Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERM) like Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate) and Aromatase Inhibitors (AI’s) like Arimidex (Anastrozole). AI’s will be the most effective as they inhibit aromatization and lower serum estrogen levels. While AI’s are the most effective, they can also be harsh on cholesterol. Anti-estrogenic SERM acts like estrogen in the liver and will promote healthy cholesterol.

Testosterone Propionate is a potent androgenic hormone and as a result, androgenic side effects are possible. The possible androgenic side effects of Testosterone Propionate include acne and accelerated hair loss in those predisposed to male pattern baldness and body hair growth.

Some men may find a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor like Finasteride to be useful as it will reduce the hormone’s relative androgenicity. Testosterone Propionate can have a negative impact on cholesterol, particularly HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) in suppressing total HDL levels. With a supraphysiological dose, total HDL suppression by as much as 20% is very possible.

If you’re going to supplement with Testosterone Propionate, especially if you’re going to include an AI a cholesterol-friendly lifestyle will be important. Regardless of who you are or why you’re using it, the side effects of Testosterone Propionate will always include the suppression of natural testosterone production.

For the low-level patient, this is of no concern. For the performance athlete, during use, this is also no concern as the exogenous testosterone will provide your body with all it needs. Once use is discontinued, natural testosterone production will begin again.

A low-level patient will more than likely always need exogenous testosterone therapy. This will cut down the total recovery time and ensure you have enough testosterone for proper bodily function while your levels continue to naturally rise. Once a cycle is discontinued and natural testosterone levels are low, it is very easy for cortisol to become the dominant hormone, and this will put your lean tissue at risk.

Once a cycle is discontinued and natural testosterone levels are low, it is very easy for cortisol to become the dominant hormone, and this will put your lean tissue at risk. Implement a PCT plan and this problem is solved.

An important note on natural testosterone recovery; this assumes severe damage was not done to the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Testicular-Axis (HPTA) due to improper steroidal supplementation. It also assumes no prior low testosterone condition existed.

Testosterone Propionate is not hepatotoxic. This anabolic steroid will present no stress or damage to the liver.

 

Cycles And Usage of Testosterone Propionate

 Because of its short half-life, Testosterone Propionate should be given often. A minimum of 5"8- or 1-inch sterile needle is used to inject this short-acting testosterone version intramuscularly deep into the muscle. It's critical to use caution while injecting intramuscularly. New needles, barrels, and syringes, as well as alcohol swabs, are required for sterility.

Doses of 50mg are used three times per week or every other day to address low testosterone (EOD). Due to the high number of daily injections, Testosterone Propionate is not a frequent treatment for hypogonadism. For low testosterone treatment, endocrinologists prefer longer estered. Testosterone compounds like Testosterone Enanthate and Testosterone Cypionate, are given twice weekly or weekly in doses of 100-150mg.

Testosterone Propionate is injected 50-100mg every other day for performance enhancement, or in bigger doses if the athlete or bodybuilder is more experienced. Testosterone Propionate can be used to replace natural testosterone or as a performance enhancer on its own as part of a steroidal cycle.

To reduce estrogenic adverse effects, 100mg per day in conjunction with an AI or SERM is recommended as a performance-enhancing drug (PED). To maintain estrogen levels in normal ranges, Aromasin 25mg every day or Arimidex 1mg every other day would be recommended.

Testosterone Propionate can be used with anabolic steroids classified as 17aa, such as Dianabol, Winstrol, and Anavar (Oxandrolone). This exogenous testosterone injection might be used with Trenbolone Acetate, NPP, or other short-acting anabolic steroids for a powerful combination.

How To Buy Testosterone Propionate

Many people buy Testosterone Propionate online since it's a popular injectable anabolic steroid available through internet providers and gyms. Test Prop is normally available in a variety of brands from online steroid providers. Testosterone Propionate is infamous for being a harsh injection, but when British Dragon's 100mg/ml 10ml vial was released, many steroid users complained about how unpleasant the post-injection agony was. This drug is currently made with ethyl oleate (EO) in underground labs, making it a painless injection operation.

Second, and more significantly, Testosterone Propionate is a restricted drug under Schedule III. Possession and trafficking are punishable by jail sentences and penalties that are not limited. To utilize Testosterone Propionate in the United States, you must have a valid prescription.