Test Blend 400 is a combination blend of Testosterone Cypionate, Testosterone Enanthate, and Testosterone Propionate.
Testosterone Cypionate is simply Testosterone with the Cypionate ester bound to the Testosterone chemical structure. ‘Cypionate’ is Cypionic acid, but once bound to Testosterone it is known in chemistry as an ester bond. When Testosterone Cypionate enters the body, enzymes will bind to the molecule and break down the bond between the ester and the Testosterone hormone, which takes some time depending on the size of the ester in question. Esters such as Cypionate, Enanthate, Decanoate, Undecylenate and so forth all possess longer half-lives than the smaller and shorter esters such as Propionate, Phenylpropionate, Acetate, etc. The process of enzymes breaking down and separating the ester from the Testosterone molecule results in the slower drug release profile. Pure Testosterone base with no ester bonded to it has a half-life of approximately 2 – 4 hours. With a Cypionate ester attached to it, the half-life is now extended to 12-14 days.
Where side effects are concerned, Testosterone Cypionate could be described as being moderate. It is often compared to its almost identical brother, Testosterone Enanthate. Cypionate has a longer half-life due to its longer fatty-acid ester chain.
Potential estrogenic side effects include the following: water retention and bloat, increased blood pressure (water retention), increased fat gain/retention, and gynecomastia.
Testosterone Cypionate users are also prone to androgenic side effects. Testosterone does undergo a reduction to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body which may result in the following: increase in oily skin and acne (sebum secretion), body and facial hair growth, and risk of male pattern baldness if one is predisposed to it.
Testosterone Cypionate has been found in studies not to be hepatotoxic (liver toxic), even when taken in extreme doses.
As Testosterone does impose suppression and shutdown of the hypothalamic testicular pituitary axis (HPTA) during a cycle which causes the body to stop manufacturing its own natural endogenous Testosterone.
Testosterone enanthate is an oil based injectable steroid, designed to slowly release testosterone from the injection site (depot) over a 20 – 28 day period with a half-life of 10 – 14 days.
Testosterone exhibits a high tendency to convert into estrogen so estrogen related side effects may therefore become apparent. Water retention can become an issue which can lead to a loss of muscle definition, as subcutaneous fluid starts to build up. Another common problem with aromatizing steroids can be the accumulation of excess body fat, mostly due to poor nutrition and estrogen related side-effects. Of the most serious estrogen related side-effects is gynecomastia. By adding an ancillary anit-estrogen such as Nolvadex and/or Proviron may be advisable for those with sensitivity. Anti-aromatase drugs such as Arimidex, Femara, or Aromasin may be much better in this case.
Androgenic side effects are also to be expected such as oily skin, acne, aggression, facial/body hair growth and male pattern baldness.
Due to the long acting duration of this ester, most prefer to inject it on a10 – 14 day basis in order to keep blood levels as stable as possible. The usual dosage would be in the range of 250mg-750mg a week. Anything above this level allows estrogenic side effects to become far more prominent and possibly outweighing any benefits. One may add an oral like Anadrol or Dianabol during a bulking cycle to bring about more mass gain. By adding an injectable anabolic like Deca (Nandrolone decanoate) or Equipoise (Boldenone undecylenate) may prove to be a better choice for leaner muscle gains without added water retention and estrogenic related side-effects.
Post cycle therapy (PCT) therapy using Nolvadex/Clomid and HCG allows normal natural testosterone production to occur and allows the user to maintain most of the muscle mass accumulated whilst on cycle.
Testosterone Propionate is Testosterone with the Propionate ester bound to the Testosterone molecule. More specifically ‘Propionate’ is Propionic acid, but once bound to Testosterone it can be referred to as an ester bond. Esterified anabolic steroids tend to be more fat-soluble, thus allowing Testosterone to release slowly from the injection site. Once Testosterone Propionate enters the bloodstream, the bond between the ester and the hormone are broken down by enzymes which takes a varying amount of time depending on which ester is coupled with the Testosterone molecule. The ester bond is removed by enzymes, which results in pure Testosterone which is plays its role in the body. This also results in slower Testosterone release rates. Testosterone alone with no ester bonded to it possesses a half-life of approximately 2 – 4 hours. With the Propionate ester attached to it, the half-life of Testosterone is now extended to 2-3 days, providing a slower release and activity of the drug.
Testosterone possesses a moderate level of estrogenic activity, whereby it holds a moderate affinity to bind to the aromatase enzyme which is also the enzyme responsible for the conversion of Testosterone into Estrogen. Testosterone converts into estrogen on a 1:1 ratio. For every 100mg of Testosterone injected, 50mg converts to estrogen. A moderate level of aromatization is to be expected with Testosterone unless an aromatase inhibitor is incorporated such as Arimidex, Aromasin, and Letrozole to inhibit the aromatase enzyme and make it unable to aromatize any Testosterone into Estrogen.
Because Testosterone has Androgenic effects, it can cause many side-effects that come from activating the Androgen receptor. These effects include acne, hair loss, enlargement of the prostate gland, body hair growth and masculinizing effects if used in women (it is highly ill-advised for women to use this hormone).
Testosterone Propionate has the affinity to shut down production of endogenous Testosterone within the body. Therefore it is advisable to make use of Post Cycle Therap (PCT) utilizing drugs such as HCG, Proviron, Clomid and Nolvadex to boost natural production and return the body to homeostasis.
For the management of Low Testosterone, Testosterone Propionate is typically injected three times weekly. 25-50mg three times weekly should provide those with low Testosterone levels with a healthy replacement dose and for more advanced athletes dosages of 50-200mg every day or 3 times a week is not uncommon. Most people using Testosterone replacement will usually employ a longer lasting ester such as Enanthate or Cypionate. These longer ester compounds require less injections (once or twice weekly or bi-weekly) to ensure steady hormone levels.
Every milligram of Testosterone Propionate used results in more actual Testosterone being utilized by the body compared to a longer ester such as Testosterone Enanthate. It isreported that 100mg of Testosterone Propionate is about 125% stronger than 100mg of Testosterone Enanthate.