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- Testosterone: How to Use It With Minimal to No Side Effects -
BY GENIO
BY GENIO
- Why am I making this? -
I see way too many uneducated users fearmongering testosterone and it is deeply upsetting. Either that or they promote the wrong application of it. I wanted to correct it because no; it won't make you infertile (if done correctly in most cases) nor make you Chad pinning a gram during puberty. There is a use for testosterone and it can be very effective if you do it correctly although it is nothing that some people in this community push out. I was going to save this thread for whenever I got my steroids and pinned them for the first time, but I was so irritated by this fearmongering that I decided "Fuck it; I've researched enough and know enough to write a thread about this anyways. Let's just get it started right now."
I see way too many uneducated users fearmongering testosterone and it is deeply upsetting. Either that or they promote the wrong application of it. I wanted to correct it because no; it won't make you infertile (if done correctly in most cases) nor make you Chad pinning a gram during puberty. There is a use for testosterone and it can be very effective if you do it correctly although it is nothing that some people in this community push out. I was going to save this thread for whenever I got my steroids and pinned them for the first time, but I was so irritated by this fearmongering that I decided "Fuck it; I've researched enough and know enough to write a thread about this anyways. Let's just get it started right now."
1. What is Testosterone?
2. The Basics of Practical Application
2.1 Esters
2.2 Dosing
2.3 Pinning
2.4 PCT?
3. How to Mitigate Side Effects
4. Quit Fucking Fearmongering
5. How to Source
6. Extras
2. The Basics of Practical Application
2.1 Esters
2.2 Dosing
2.3 Pinning
2.4 PCT?
3. How to Mitigate Side Effects
4. Quit Fucking Fearmongering
5. How to Source
6. Extras
- What is Testosterone? -
Testosterone is a primary sex hormone. It makes men masculine and increases muscle growth, strength, libido, energy, mood, bone density, etc.
Testosterone works by binding to androgen receptors inside cells, which changes gene expression and alters how tissues grow, function, and maintain themselves. Most testosterone binds to SHBG and albumin whilst circulating, so only a fraction gets to the cells, where it can either bind to the androgen receptor directly or be converted to either DHT (binds to androgen receptor) or estradiol (binds to estrogen receptors).
Benefits for looksmaxxing include: Aesthetic physique gains, facial muscle hypertrophy (leading to facial masculinization), masculine fat pad changes, energy, etc.
(This guy is on much more than just test JFL)
Testosterone’s chemical makeup is C19H28O2. Chemically, it is a steroid hormone with the name (8R,9S,10R,13S,14S,17S)-17-hydroxy-10,13-dimethyl-1,2,6,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one. Its structure includes four fused steroid rings, a hydroxyl group at C17, and a ketone at C3.
Molecular weight: 288.4244
CAS number: 58-22-0
SMILES: CC12CCC3C(C1CCC2O)CCC4=CC(=O)CCC34C
Testosterone is a primary sex hormone. It makes men masculine and increases muscle growth, strength, libido, energy, mood, bone density, etc.
Testosterone works by binding to androgen receptors inside cells, which changes gene expression and alters how tissues grow, function, and maintain themselves. Most testosterone binds to SHBG and albumin whilst circulating, so only a fraction gets to the cells, where it can either bind to the androgen receptor directly or be converted to either DHT (binds to androgen receptor) or estradiol (binds to estrogen receptors).
Benefits for looksmaxxing include: Aesthetic physique gains, facial muscle hypertrophy (leading to facial masculinization), masculine fat pad changes, energy, etc.
(This guy is on much more than just test JFL)
Testosterone’s chemical makeup is C19H28O2. Chemically, it is a steroid hormone with the name (8R,9S,10R,13S,14S,17S)-17-hydroxy-10,13-dimethyl-1,2,6,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one. Its structure includes four fused steroid rings, a hydroxyl group at C17, and a ketone at C3.
Molecular weight: 288.4244
CAS number: 58-22-0
SMILES: CC12CCC3C(C1CCC2O)CCC4=CC(=O)CCC34C
- Esters -
There are many esters of testosterone, but here I will only go over the three most relevant ones. Here's a thread explaining esters by the way;
Testosterone esterification Credits: @Hypertrophy. In short, they control how long the testosterone stays in your body.
1. Testosterone propionate: Used everyday
2. Testosterone enanthate: Used everyday or every other day (everyday ideal)
3. Testosterone cypionate: Used twice a week
They do not affect how testosterone is expressed, just how long it is active in your system.
- Dosing -
Here's the big one. DOSING!!! Honestly, I believe that, for the purpose of looksmaxxing, you don't need much. I'd start a beginner cycle at 250mg testosterone a week with minor ancillaries (check side effects section) for 16 weeks, then see if I want to increase it from there. I'd keep 8 weeks between each cycle. Cruise at 100mg a week between cycle or do PCT (which I will go over later because I don't recommend it). The most I'd go up to is 600mg a week.
- Pinning -
You can pin either intramuscularly (in muscle) or subcutaneously (in fatty tissue). Intramuscularly hurts more and is used for larger volumes of testosterone (more than 0.5ml). Subcutaneously is less painful and is used for lesser volumes of testosterone (less than 0.5ml). Intramuscular needle gauges range from 21g to 25g, while subcutaneous needle gauges range from 25g to 31g. I'd recommend subcutaneous simply because it hurts less and is easier to self-administer, even if you're pinning large amounts. You can just pin multiple places instead of just one. It is typically easier to draw oils using lower gauge needles, so many people will draw with a low gauge needle then transfer to a higher gauge. Intramuscular sites include deep in the glute, deep in the thigh, and shoulder. Subcutaneous sites include the stomach, glute, thigh, and back of the upper arm. Clean your vial before drawing with an alcohol wipe and injection site with an alcohol wipe before injection.
- PCT? -
PCT is post-cycle therapy, in which you usually take a SERM (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator) to bring your testosterone levels back to normal after a cycle. I recommend 12.5mg enclomiphene everyday after the testosterone rids your system (1-2 weeks propionate, 3-4 weeks cypionate and enanthate) for 4-6 weeks if you do decide to PCT, which I think is unideal. PCT will cause you to lose most of your gains and is simply unideal compared to cruising on a low dose of testosterone (such as 100mg), which will preserve your gains while side effects (like fertility sides) can be prevented with HCG microdose, making it no less safe than PCT.
There are many esters of testosterone, but here I will only go over the three most relevant ones. Here's a thread explaining esters by the way;
Testosterone esterification Credits: @Hypertrophy. In short, they control how long the testosterone stays in your body.
1. Testosterone propionate: Used everyday
2. Testosterone enanthate: Used everyday or every other day (everyday ideal)
3. Testosterone cypionate: Used twice a week
They do not affect how testosterone is expressed, just how long it is active in your system.
- Dosing -
Here's the big one. DOSING!!! Honestly, I believe that, for the purpose of looksmaxxing, you don't need much. I'd start a beginner cycle at 250mg testosterone a week with minor ancillaries (check side effects section) for 16 weeks, then see if I want to increase it from there. I'd keep 8 weeks between each cycle. Cruise at 100mg a week between cycle or do PCT (which I will go over later because I don't recommend it). The most I'd go up to is 600mg a week.
- Pinning -
You can pin either intramuscularly (in muscle) or subcutaneously (in fatty tissue). Intramuscularly hurts more and is used for larger volumes of testosterone (more than 0.5ml). Subcutaneously is less painful and is used for lesser volumes of testosterone (less than 0.5ml). Intramuscular needle gauges range from 21g to 25g, while subcutaneous needle gauges range from 25g to 31g. I'd recommend subcutaneous simply because it hurts less and is easier to self-administer, even if you're pinning large amounts. You can just pin multiple places instead of just one. It is typically easier to draw oils using lower gauge needles, so many people will draw with a low gauge needle then transfer to a higher gauge. Intramuscular sites include deep in the glute, deep in the thigh, and shoulder. Subcutaneous sites include the stomach, glute, thigh, and back of the upper arm. Clean your vial before drawing with an alcohol wipe and injection site with an alcohol wipe before injection.
- PCT? -
PCT is post-cycle therapy, in which you usually take a SERM (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator) to bring your testosterone levels back to normal after a cycle. I recommend 12.5mg enclomiphene everyday after the testosterone rids your system (1-2 weeks propionate, 3-4 weeks cypionate and enanthate) for 4-6 weeks if you do decide to PCT, which I think is unideal. PCT will cause you to lose most of your gains and is simply unideal compared to cruising on a low dose of testosterone (such as 100mg), which will preserve your gains while side effects (like fertility sides) can be prevented with HCG microdose, making it no less safe than PCT.
- How to Mitigate Side Effects -
*Diet and lifestyle is also important here; make sure to be dialed in there*
Here's a general supplement stack that should help with everything. Bolded ones are most recommended.
Erythrocytosis/polycythemia - Raised hematocrit and blood viscosity, which may increase clot and cardiovascular risk.
Hypertension - Raised blood pressure, which may increase cardiovascular risk.
Fertility Suppression - Nuked LH and FSH, decreasing sperm count and intratesticular testosterone.
Acne, Oily Skin, and Hair Loss - Androgen-driven sebaceous gland stimulation causes skin issues. Androgenic alopecia could also occur.
Lipid Changes - Uncommon, mostly seen at high doses.
Side Effects due to High E2 - Things such as bloating, mood changes, libido changes, gynecomastia, etc.
*Diet and lifestyle is also important here; make sure to be dialed in there*
Here's a general supplement stack that should help with everything. Bolded ones are most recommended.
CoQ10, Multivitamin, Magnesium Glycinate, Omega 3s, NAC, TUDCA
Erythrocytosis/polycythemia - Raised hematocrit and blood viscosity, which may increase clot and cardiovascular risk.
75mg aspirin will help, but you also have to stay hydrated.
Hypertension - Raised blood pressure, which may increase cardiovascular risk.
40mg telmisartan and/or 5mg nebivolol should be sufficient. Adjust based on your blood pressure, which you should be checking often.
Fertility Suppression - Nuked LH and FSH, decreasing sperm count and intratesticular testosterone.
Take 250IU to 500IU HCG every other day or even every three days to preserve LH. Add 75IU to 225IU FSH three times a week if your sperm count is severely impaired.
Acne, Oily Skin, and Hair Loss - Androgen-driven sebaceous gland stimulation causes skin issues. Androgenic alopecia could also occur.
Microdose isotretinoin at 0.1 to 0.25 mg/kg a day and topical application of Estriol 0.1% on your face everyday will be sufficient to prevent all skin sides. Use 0.5mg Dutasteride everyday for hair loss and/or RU58841 topically on your scalp.
Lipid Changes - Uncommon, mostly seen at high doses.
Use a statin and/or a fibrate although I'd doubt you'd need it. I recommend pivatastatin and fenofibrate.
Side Effects due to High E2 - Things such as bloating, mood changes, libido changes, gynecomastia, etc.
Get your blood work done and take an aromatase inhibitor (AI) based on how your e2 looks. I'd recommend exemestane (aka Aromasin) to avoid estrogen rebound in case you either miss a day or get off abruptly, but letrozole and anastrozole are also effective. Doses are varied by person and testosterone dosage. Ideally, your e2 should be about 10 to 40 pg/ml if you're not heightmaxxing (which I won't be going over), so adjust AI dosage based off that. Taking EQ is also effective, but I will not be covering it here, so do your own research.
- Quit Fucking Fearmongering -
I already talked about some of this in the intro portion, but here I will cover common copes including:
"But s-saar, what about muh testes and muh natural testosterone production?" and "Muh gram of testosterone I pin everyday will make me 6'6"
^ You if you pin 1g testosterone at 15 ^
I already talked about some of this in the intro portion, but here I will cover common copes including:
"But s-saar, what about muh testes and muh natural testosterone production?" and "Muh gram of testosterone I pin everyday will make me 6'6"
Firstly, testosterone used in the correct manner will not affect your fertility long-term or nuke your testosterone production forever.
The brain normally releases GnRH, which drives FSH (supports sperm production) and LH (tells the testes to make testosterone inside the testes) release. Then, whenever you add outside testosterone, the body takes it as a signal to shut down this GnRH production, which then shuts down FSH and LH. This is the reason why exogenous testosterone used WITHOUT FERTILITY PROTECTION nukes sperm count.
Well, how do I protect fertility? Using low-dose HCG during testosterone treatment is all you need to do. HCG acts like LH and tells Leydig cells to keep making testosterone inside the testes, which preserves the environment needed to produce sperm. The second study listed actually found a 26% increase in intratesticular testosterone in the 500IU HCG every other day group, which is all you need to know about how TESTOSTERONE DOESN'T NUKE FERTILITY (if done correctly, duh).
But what about FSH? A good question (that I asked myself
). Well, FSH is rarely added when a case is severe enough to require more than just HCG. It's rare especially if you're starting HCG alongside TRT (as you should), but yeah, you should add it if your sperm count is going down even on HCG. It helps with sperm maturation and all that, but again, it's a pretty damn rare case, so I won't go over it too much.
Concomitant intramuscular human chorionic gonadotropin preserves spermatogenesis in men undergoing testosterone replacement therapy
Low-Dose Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Maintains Intratesticular Testosterone in Normal Men with Testosterone-Induced Gonadotropin Suppression
The brain normally releases GnRH, which drives FSH (supports sperm production) and LH (tells the testes to make testosterone inside the testes) release. Then, whenever you add outside testosterone, the body takes it as a signal to shut down this GnRH production, which then shuts down FSH and LH. This is the reason why exogenous testosterone used WITHOUT FERTILITY PROTECTION nukes sperm count.
Well, how do I protect fertility? Using low-dose HCG during testosterone treatment is all you need to do. HCG acts like LH and tells Leydig cells to keep making testosterone inside the testes, which preserves the environment needed to produce sperm. The second study listed actually found a 26% increase in intratesticular testosterone in the 500IU HCG every other day group, which is all you need to know about how TESTOSTERONE DOESN'T NUKE FERTILITY (if done correctly, duh).
But what about FSH? A good question (that I asked myself
). Well, FSH is rarely added when a case is severe enough to require more than just HCG. It's rare especially if you're starting HCG alongside TRT (as you should), but yeah, you should add it if your sperm count is going down even on HCG. It helps with sperm maturation and all that, but again, it's a pretty damn rare case, so I won't go over it too much.Concomitant intramuscular human chorionic gonadotropin preserves spermatogenesis in men undergoing testosterone replacement therapy
Low-Dose Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Maintains Intratesticular Testosterone in Normal Men with Testosterone-Induced Gonadotropin Suppression
Ok @foidslayer, a smart cookie aren't you (no, not at all). TESTOSTERONE WILL STUNT GROWTH AT SUPRAPHYSIOLOGICAL LEVELS!!!
Yes, it's true that androgens can support height growth, but NOT androgens that AROMATIZE. If you don't know, aromatization is the process in which testosterone (or another androgen) is converted into estradiol (e2), which is what makes up most of your estrogen. As we all (do or should) know, estrogen causes epiphyseal plate closure by binding to ERa AF-2 and all that. I won't go into specifics, but yeah it closes your plates.
Why not just take an aromatase inhibitor? BECAUSE OF LOCAL AROMATIZATION DUMMY!!! Bone cells, especially osteoblasts express aromatase, which converts testosterone into estradiol right at the bone tissue rather than relying on circulating estrogen. Yeah, your bloodwork may show regular or even low e2, but YOUR PLATES ARE CLOSING. Flooding your body with supraphysiological amounts of testosterone is just not good for height. I'd opt for another compound (like tren, stanozolol, masteron, etc.) that doesn't aromatize and is more powerful than testosterone, but that's another thing to be covered in another thread.
Anyways, I recommend no more than 100mg testosterone (as a base for another androgen) during puberty to prevent this.
Elevated aromatase expression in osteoblasts leads to increased bone mass without systemic adverse effects
Yes, it's true that androgens can support height growth, but NOT androgens that AROMATIZE. If you don't know, aromatization is the process in which testosterone (or another androgen) is converted into estradiol (e2), which is what makes up most of your estrogen. As we all (do or should) know, estrogen causes epiphyseal plate closure by binding to ERa AF-2 and all that. I won't go into specifics, but yeah it closes your plates.
Why not just take an aromatase inhibitor? BECAUSE OF LOCAL AROMATIZATION DUMMY!!! Bone cells, especially osteoblasts express aromatase, which converts testosterone into estradiol right at the bone tissue rather than relying on circulating estrogen. Yeah, your bloodwork may show regular or even low e2, but YOUR PLATES ARE CLOSING. Flooding your body with supraphysiological amounts of testosterone is just not good for height. I'd opt for another compound (like tren, stanozolol, masteron, etc.) that doesn't aromatize and is more powerful than testosterone, but that's another thing to be covered in another thread.
Anyways, I recommend no more than 100mg testosterone (as a base for another androgen) during puberty to prevent this.
Elevated aromatase expression in osteoblasts leads to increased bone mass without systemic adverse effects
^ You if you pin 1g testosterone at 15 ^
- How to Source -
Many people source theirs domestically, but it depends on how much money you have and how safe you want to be. Indian oils are typically seen as unsafe and Chinese oils are also going through a rough patch right now, although I'm still getting mine from China (because nothing ever happens). Foreign oils are cheaper, whilst domestic oils are safer with a higher price. It's your choice.
Go on eRoids for domestic sourcing and MesoRX for other sources as I will not be providing source names or websites here. Note that many of them will be on Telegram or Whatsapp if you're sourcing foreign.
Many people source theirs domestically, but it depends on how much money you have and how safe you want to be. Indian oils are typically seen as unsafe and Chinese oils are also going through a rough patch right now, although I'm still getting mine from China (because nothing ever happens). Foreign oils are cheaper, whilst domestic oils are safer with a higher price. It's your choice.
Go on eRoids for domestic sourcing and MesoRX for other sources as I will not be providing source names or websites here. Note that many of them will be on Telegram or Whatsapp if you're sourcing foreign.
- Extras -
How much muscle you can expect to gain:
How it feels to be on testosterone:
Bloodwork:
How much muscle you can expect to gain:
How it feels to be on testosterone:
Bloodwork:
@Blackpillirony @Glamour @1894 @mtren @submissivechud @giga.mia @benny @foidslayer @Motivated Dandelions @Nenestar @Superior @jony🖤bp @emeraldpill @vamp @Ladiesman217 @isntnotrepellent @nonu @BigDihDiddy ⚦ @Mia @negativ @rope_maxxer @WhitepiII @ecoli @scotfield @zaycism @P1et @PingPong @muscipla @arisu @splanky @Pentatonic @nomi @Histy @Spongebob CirclePants @trvecel @SevenColorCrystalBall @Almighty Sigma Wolf @lazerdim @BrazilianKen @TonyDr @Huntergirl @Insomnia @Nbernical @Randomized @Starlet @draftLexy @jest @fatfuckingchud @shigeharu @Gen5ivee @Currycelloser
@kimothy @Penalizer69 @Luxe @Byro @paulyune @rand anon @FoidhaterlolllW @Trevor @RottingCarrie @derpy @Tealovingfool @Hibiscus @HerculesJr. @KittyBreath @Xx_Sh4tteredHe4rt_xX @nacerskates @broccoli @</3 @TFC @perculez @hoodsickle @Cortisol @LaWi @Foid @Garce @vespertine @kelksub @doll @uglyisbeautiful @chudlite67 @knightmaxxer @Galvatron @taffy @Mandy? @vespertine @avzrael @Bloxy @Krusty @Iblamemyeyes @iqmaxx
@kimothy @Penalizer69 @Luxe @Byro @paulyune @rand anon @FoidhaterlolllW @Trevor @RottingCarrie @derpy @Tealovingfool @Hibiscus @HerculesJr. @KittyBreath @Xx_Sh4tteredHe4rt_xX @nacerskates @broccoli @</3 @TFC @perculez @hoodsickle @Cortisol @LaWi @Foid @Garce @vespertine @kelksub @doll @uglyisbeautiful @chudlite67 @knightmaxxer @Galvatron @taffy @Mandy? @vespertine @avzrael @Bloxy @Krusty @Iblamemyeyes @iqmaxx
inb4 dnr
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