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Can Testosterone Supplements Be Taken For Muscle Growth?

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Posted on Thu, 9 Mar 2017
Question: I'm thinking to go on steroids cycle to have some gains, my main concern would my testosterone completely and permanitley shut down after the cycle? Can I recover it ? What's the risk ?
My cycle is for 12 weeks
1. 600mg a week for equipose
2. 600mg of testosterone proppenate
3. 200mg of winstrol a week

doctor
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Testosterone

Detailed Answer:
It is inadvisable to take testosterone for the purpose of body-building or muscle gains, if you do not have Testosterone deficiency to begin with.

There are potential side effects if the cycle you have described is completed. It can cause irreversible decline in the body's natural testosterone producing capacity.

So first find out if you have low blood testosterone levels. However testosterone can be a complex subject to interpret. Endocrinologists are best qualified to manage testosterone related matters, so it would be helpful if you were able to see one in person.

For example, the blood sample has to be drawn in the morning time before 10 am. Total Testosterone
SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin)
FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)
LH (Leutinizing Hormone)
Prolactin

(But if a test called Free Testosterone is available in your laboratory and if they use Equilibrium Dialysis as the method, then there is no need to check Total Testosterone and SHBG)
Once these results are in, one can get a fair idea whether or not Testosterone deficiency exists.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to above mentioned tests and a detailed physical examination:

CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid)
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)

None of these tests require any fasting
Correct diagnosis and treatment requires the opportunity to examine the patient so you must see an endocrinologist in-person.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (9 hours later)
Well my testosterone level is normal now, but inwantes to go on a cycle to build up myscles quickly, but im concerned about the testosterone level after the cycle? Is it pissibly to lose my natural testostorine production? Hiw tonminimize the side effect?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:

I understand your questions. Let me elaborate here:

What are anabolic steroids?
Anabolic steroids are drugs that are chemically related to the main male hormone testosterone. They are best known for their effects on building muscle (called anabolic). Sometimes doctors prescribe anabolic steroids to help patients with HIV gain weight and to treat certain types of severe anemia (low red blood cells) or other health problems.
Some people, though, use these drugs illegally to improve athletic performance or to get a more muscular look. Not only is this against the law, but many sports ban use of anabolic steroids as “performance-enhancing drugs.”
Anabolic steroids come in various forms, including pills, creams, patches, tablets, injections (shots), or drops placed under the tongue. Veterinary steroids (those for animals) often contain the same components as human steroids, but are not as pure. People sometimes use these as well.

Who is using anabolic steroids?
Both adults and children use anabolic steroids. In one study, use among youth has increased 16% among 10th graders and 37% among seniors in high school since 1996. A 2007 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that one of every 25 high school students had used anabolic steroids. The 2009 Pride Survey, of more than 120,000 U.S. students in middle and high school, also looked at steroid use. It found that nearly one in 14 twelfth-grade boys and one in 37 twelfth-grade girls reported using anabolic steroids in the prior year.
Steroid use by college athletes has increased as well. Also, some professional athletes continue to use these drugs, including star athletes.
Not just athletes are using anabolic steroids. Some young people take them to look more muscular or to lose body fat.

ANABOLIC STEROIDS include:
Anadrol (oxymetholone)
Dianabol (methandrostenolone)
Winstrol (stanozolol)
Deca-Durabolin (nandrolone)
Oxandrin (oxandrolone)
Testosterone cypionate and testosterone enanthate

SIDE EFFECTS
Improper use of anabolic steroids can have unhealthy side effects. These include changes in behavior, increased risk for heart and liver disease, and unwanted—sometimes permanent—changes in physical features.

Why are anabolic steroids a concern?
Anabolic steroids have dangerous physical, mental, and emotional side effects. These may be more dangerous in young adults because they can stop growth. In women, they can cause permanent changes in the voice and genitals.
After stopping these drugs, people can feel severe depression and moodiness.
Injections of anabolic steroids carry the risk of infection with HIV or hepatitis if the drug users share needles. Also, anabolic steroids obtained without a prescription are unreliable. They may contain dangerous substances, or may not even contain steroids.

SIDE EFFECTS OF ANABOLIC STEROID USE

Boys and men:
Breast growth
Shrunken testicles

Physical:
Severe acne
Baldness or hair loss
Liver abnormalities and tumors
Blood clots
Heart disease

Emotional and mental:
Angry outbursts (“roid rage”) or aggressive behavior
Paranoia (fears that do not make sense)
Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there)

What should you do if you use anabolic steroids?
If you are using anabolic steroids without a doctor’s prescription, stop. You could be causing harm to your body that you cannot reverse. Instead, use healthy options such as good nutrition and exercise.
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shehzad Topiwala

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 1663 Questions

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Can Testosterone Supplements Be Taken For Muscle Growth?

Brief Answer: Testosterone Detailed Answer: It is inadvisable to take testosterone for the purpose of body-building or muscle gains, if you do not have Testosterone deficiency to begin with. There are potential side effects if the cycle you have described is completed. It can cause irreversible decline in the body's natural testosterone producing capacity. So first find out if you have low blood testosterone levels. However testosterone can be a complex subject to interpret. Endocrinologists are best qualified to manage testosterone related matters, so it would be helpful if you were able to see one in person. For example, the blood sample has to be drawn in the morning time before 10 am. Total Testosterone SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) LH (Leutinizing Hormone) Prolactin (But if a test called Free Testosterone is available in your laboratory and if they use Equilibrium Dialysis as the method, then there is no need to check Total Testosterone and SHBG) Once these results are in, one can get a fair idea whether or not Testosterone deficiency exists. When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to above mentioned tests and a detailed physical examination: CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts) Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular) HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase) Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine) TSH (checks your thyroid) 25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter) None of these tests require any fasting Correct diagnosis and treatment requires the opportunity to examine the patient so you must see an endocrinologist in-person.