Propionate Profile
(Testosterone Propionate)
Testosterone Propionate is a small ester injectable form of testosterone, the primary male sex hormone and is one of the oldest anabolic steroids in existence. In-fact, Propionate is the oldest anabolic steroid made ready for public use when it was brought to the market by Schering AG under the name Testoviron in 1937 and would soon become the first anabolic steroid made ready on the U.S. market. As you may or may not know, testosterone was the first synthetic anabolic steroid ever made, but Propionate was released in an effort to slow down the compound’s release time. By attaching the Propionate ester to the hormone the rate of testosterone’s release in the body post injection is slowed allowing us to maintain stable levels for longer periods of time. Before Testosterone Propionate, we only had ester free testosterone and the hormone would move through the body rapidly necessarily leading to extremely frequent administration protocols. Conversely, Propionate would provide the first testosterone that would slow this release time down, all in all making this steroid far more user friendly.
In-order to understand Testosterone Propionate, we merely need to understand the testosterone hormone. Further, in-order to understand the Propionate version as compared to other versions, we merely need to understand the ester. All testosterone forms are comprised of the same testosterone hormone; Testosterone Propionate, Testosterone Cypionate, Testosterone Enanthate or any mixture compound like Sustanon 250 or any other form you can think of are all comprised of the same testosterone. What differentiates them is the ester(s) attached. The larger the ester the slower it will detach from the hormone, the smaller the ester the faster it will detach and the faster the hormone will enter the blood stream. Of course, the ester also affects the compound’s total molecular weight, smaller esters take up less space and this makes Propionate more potent on a per milligram basis; however, this is meaningless with dosing adjustments. In the end, all testosterone forms are largely the same and can provide the same results so as long as we understand the ester. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the testosterone hormone and see what Propionate can do for you.
Propionate 101:
Testosterone Propionate as a small ester testosterone compound carries an active half-life of approximately 3.5 days. This is a rather short half-life and will make administration necessarily frequent if blood levels are to remain peaked and stable. Highly anabolic as well as androgenic, Propionate carries the six primary steroidal traits of enhancement which include:
· Enhanced Nitrogen Retention: Allows the muscles to store more nitrogen which in-turn promotes better use of the protein consumed which results in greater
anabolic activity that may be used to build or preserve lean muscle mass.
· Enhanced Protein Synthesis: Proteins are the building blocks muscle and synthesis refers to the rate by-which cells build such proteins. Through enhanced
synthesis our cells are able to perform this task more efficiently leading to more muscle growth and enhanced recovery as well as the ability to preserve
under strenuous activity.
· Increased IGF-1: IGF-1 is a powerful anabolic hormone of the peptide class produced by all human beings. Essential to muscle growth and repair, IGF-1
also plays an important role on ligaments, tendons, CNS and even our lungs; in-fact, it affects nearly every cell in the human body. Through Propionate
supplementation, the amount of IGF-1 we produce increases and there is simply more IGF-1 to do what IGF-1 does best.
· Increased Red Blood Cell Count: red blood cells carry oxygen to and through the blood and the higher the count the greater the blood oxygenation. When
blood oxygenation is increased, this enhances muscular endurance and even plays a critical role on our recovery process.
· Binds Firmly to the Androgen Receptor: the firmer a steroid binds to the androgen receptor the more anabolic power it will provide. There are steroids
that bind firmer, such as Trenbolone but Propionate holds its own. Further, by binding to the androgen receptor this actually promotes lipolysis.
· Inhibiting of Glucocorticoids: glucocorticoids are commonly known as stress or muscle wasting hormones; cortisol is the most well-known. Such hormones actually destroy muscle tissue and promote fat gain, but Propionate has the ability to limit their release.
Through the primary six traits there’s almost nothing Propionate cannot do in a performance sense, but it doesn’t end there. Remember, Propionate is merely testosterone and testosterone plays a vital role revolving around our health and well-being. Through the use of Propionate, not only is our anabolic and metabolic atmospheres enhanced but so are our energy levels, our vitality, our ability to concentrate and focus and even our sexual performance. Further, testosterone plays a vital role in protecting our health; in-fact, low levels of the hormone have been directly linked to Alzheimer’s, diabetes, osteoporosis and many other serious yet avoidable conditions.
The Side Effects of Propionate:
As is with all testosterone compounds, Propionate carries an aromatizing nature; aromatization referring to the conversion of testosterone into estrogen. As estrogen levels rise, this can lead to some of the more common anabolic steroidal side effects, but the concern does not end there. Propionate also has the ability to promote androgenic side effects of a dihydrotestosterone (DHT) nature. Even so, problems of an estrogenic and DHT nature are all avoidable in most cases when we supplement responsibly but we must first recognize the side effects as well as what can be done about them.
· Gynecomastia: (estrogenic) due to the buildup of estrogen and the hormone attaching to the receptors in the chest. Commonly referred to as male breast
enlargement both Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERM’s) and Aromatase Inhibitors (AI’s) can offer protection. SERM’s protect by binding to the
receptors in place of estrogen while AI’s inhibit aromatase from occurring and even lower the body’s estrogen levels. SERM’s can work but they don’t
always, AI’s are the most effective; however, AI’s can have a strong negative impact on cholesterol and caution is advised.
· Water Retention: (estrogenic) high estrogen levels promote water retention, but this can largely be dose dependent as well as diet dependent. Once again,
AI’s can offer a lot of protection but ensuring your diet is not overly abundant in calories, especially carbohydrates will do more for you than anything
else.
· High Blood Pressure: (secondary estrogenic) if we hold too much water this can raise our blood pressure. Control water retention with proper dosing, diet
and AI’s if needed and blood pressure should not be an issue.
· Acne: (androgenic) this is one of the more common side effects in men who are genetically sensitive to acne to begin with, but it can also be one of the
easiest to control. First and foremost, give a little extra effort into keeping your skin clean and dry. Further, ensure you only use high quality
Propionate. Propionate or any anabolic steroid that’s full of bacteria is a great way to fall prey to break outs.
· Hair Loss: (androgenic) due to DHT’s ability to deteriorate hair follicles but only possible in men who are predisposed to male
pattern baldness. DHT derived steroids will promote this more so than Propionate; however, steroids or not if you’re predisposed you will lose your hair,
but this androgenic nature may speed it up. The use of a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor such as Finasteride can offer protection; Dutastride is also a
suitable option as both suppress DHT.
· Prostate Enlargement: (androgenic) highly unlikely as it takes a massive DHT buildup Propionate should not be able to provide; however, it is possible and you should be aware.
The Propionate Myth:
It has long been said you will hold less water if you use Propionate over other testosterone forms; however, there is no evidence to support this. Once in the blood, Propionate performs identically to all other testosterone forms, it is the same testosterone and in that there is no difference. Further, some have said Propionate will lead to a harder physique; however, once again there’s no evidence as Propionate is the same as all testosterone forms.