Testosterone Suspension is not what we’d call an extremely common anabolic steroid in the modern era. It was used heavily for many decades but has since been dominated by other versions of testosterone. However, it is still found in some therapeutic plans and among numerous hardcore anabolic steroid users. Like all testosterone compounds, the side effects of Testosterone Suspension can be controlled, and they will largely be identical to other testosterone forms. However, the side effects of Testosterone Suspension can also include painful injections, which should not occur with the more common testosterone forms. Some men won’t be able to handle the injection pain that can occur with this form of testosterone. Beyond possible injection pain, the side effects of Testosterone Suspension can be controlled if we recognize them and understand what to do about them.
The estrogenic side effects of Testosterone Suspension are the most common and concerning for most steroid users. The testosterone hormone has the ability to convert to estrogen due to its interaction with the aromatase enzyme. As estrogen levels rise, this can lead to gynecomastia and excess water retention. If water retention becomes severe, this can also lead to high blood pressure. In order to control the estrogenic side effects of Testosterone Suspension most men will need an anti-estrogen. You have two classes of anti-estrogens to choose from, Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERM’s) like Nolvadex (Tamoxifen Citrate) or Aromatase Inhibitors (AI’s) like Arimidex (Anastrozole). AI’s are the most powerful an effective as they inhibit aromatization and lower serum estrogen levels. Alone they do not appear to have a negative impact on cholesterol, but unfortunately, when combined with an aromatizing steroid they can significantly cause a reduction in HDL cholesterol. SERM’s are not as effective but can work for some men. SERM’s work by binding to the estrogen receptor, thereby preventing the estrogen hormone from binding; they do not lower estrogen levels. However, as a bonus they do not negatively impact cholesterol. While anti-estrogenic, SERM’s actively act as estrogen in the liver, which will promote healthier cholesterol levels.
The androgenic side effects of Testosterone Suspension can include acne, hair loss and body hair growth. While possible, the androgenic side effects of Testosterone Suspension are highly dependent on genetics. If you are sensitive to acne you may find breakouts to be common. Staying clean and dry at all times will provide some protection. If you are not acne sensitive, rarely will there be an issue. Hair loss is similar in that only those predisposed to male pattern baldness will risk any hair loss. You were going to lose your hair anyway but the use of exogenous testosterone may speed up the rate of loss. Those who are not predisposed will not be at risk. The androgenic side effects of Testosterone Suspension are due to the testosterone hormone being metabolized by the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, which will reduce the testosterone hormone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Some men may find the use of a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor to be useful such as Finasteride. Such inhibitors will not completely reduce the androgenicity of the hormone, but they will have a significant affect. However, such inhibitors should not be used unless absolutely necessary as they will reduce the testosterone hormone’s potency and carry side effects of their own. The androgenic side effects of Testosterone Suspension can also include virilization in women. Virilization symptoms can include body hair growth, a deepening of the vocal chords and clitoral enlargement. Testosterone Suspension cannot be recommended to women on the basis of performance enhancement as strong virilization is all but guaranteed. In a therapeutic setting it has been used, but such use is rare. While women can suffer from low testosterone, normally other testosterone options are far more suitable.
The cardiovascular side effects of Testosterone Suspension can include high blood pressure and cholesterol issues. If water retention is controlled, baring any underlying issue high blood pressure should not be a concern. However, use of exogenous testosterone can have a negative impact on cholesterol even with estrogen control, especially as it pertains to the suppression of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol). When used in therapeutic doses, it should not have a strong statistical impact. With performance doses, the total impact should be rather low. However, when conjoined with an AI, which is often needed, with therapeutic or performance doses HDL cholesterol may be suppressed by as much as 20-25%. In order to maintain healthy cholesterol levels, a cholesterol friendly lifestyle is recommended. The individual’s diet should be rich in omega fatty acids; daily fish oil supplementation will greatly aid in this end. The diet should also be low in saturated fats and simple sugars and daily cardiovascular activity should be part of the routine. While not always necessary, many men may find the use of a cholesterol antioxidant supplement to be beneficial. If such rules are followed, baring any underlying issue healthy cholesterol should be maintained for the healthy adult male.
The side effects of Testosterone Suspension will include natural testosterone suppression in all men who use the hormone. This is of no concern for the low testosterone patient as such an individual is not producing enough testosterone to begin with. For the performance athlete, during use this is also of no concern as the exogenous hormone is providing all the testosterone they need. Once use is discontinued, natural testosterone production will begin again. It will, however, take quite a bit of time for natural levels to reach their previous high level state. For this reason, most men are encouraged to implement a Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) plan. A PCT plan will stimulate natural testosterone production and greatly reduce the total time to recovery. It will not bring your testosterone levels back to normal on it’s own; there is no PCT plan that can do this. However, it will ensure you have enough testosterone for proper bodily function while your levels continue to naturally rise. Important notes – natural testosterone recovery assumes no prior low testosterone condition existed. Natural recovery also assumes severe damage was not done to the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Testicular-Axis (HPTA) due to irresponsible or improper anabolic steroid use.
