Testosterone enanthate is also known as testosterone heptanoate. It is an anabolic and androgenic steroid (AAS) drug used to treat low testosterone levels. Anabolic drugs work by building muscles, while androgenic means it enhances sex characteristics usually associated with males.
This drug has been used in medical procedures since the 1950s. It is known by a number of brand names, including Androfil, Depandro, Testrin, and Testro, and it is available by prescription only.
This article will explain how and why the drug is used. It also offers information about side effects and interactions with other drugs, and answers questions about related cancer risks from using it.
Testosterone Enanthate is a long-acting intramuscular form of the androgen testosterone. Testosterone inhibits gonadotropin secretion from the pituitary gland and ablates estrogen production in the ovaries, thereby decreasing endogenous estrogen levels. In addition, this agent promotes the maintenance of male sex characteristics and is indicated for testosterone replacement in hypogonadal males, delayed puberty, and metastatic mammary cancer. (NCI04)
Testosterone enanthate is an esterified variant of testosterone that comes as an injectable compound with a slow-release rate. This slow release is achieved by the presence of the enanthate ester functional group attached to the testosterone molecule. This testosterone derivative was first approved on December 24, 1953. In 2017, about 6.5 million retail prescriptions for testosterone therapy were filled. The majority of the prescriptions written were for injectable (66%) and topical (32%) testosterone products. As recent as 1 October 2018, the US FDA approved Antares Pharma Inc.’s Xyosted – a subcutaneous testosterone enanthate product for once-weekly, at-home self-administration with an easy-to-use, single dose, disposable autoinjector. As the first subcutaneous autoinjector product designed for testosterone replacement therapy, this innovative formulation removes transfer concerns commonly associated with testosterone gels and potentially reduces the need for in-office/in-clinic injection procedures that may inconvenience patients with frequent visits to the clinic.
Testosterone enanthate in males is indicated as a replacement therapy in conditions associated with a deficiency or absence of endogenous testosterone. Some of the treated conditions are 1) primary hypogonadism, defined as testicular failure due to cryptorchidism, bilateral torsion, orchitis, vanishing testis syndrome or orchidectomy; 2) hypogonadotropic hypogonadism due to an idiopathic gonadotropin or luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone deficiency or due to a pituitary-hypothalamic injury from tumors, trauma or radiation, in this case it is important to accompany the treatment with adrenal cortical and thyroid hormone replacement therapy; 3) to stimulate puberty in patients with delayed puberty not secondary to a pathological disorder. If the conditions 1 and 2 occur prior to puberty, the androgen replacement therapy will be needed during adolescent years for the development of secondary sexual characteristics and prolonged androgen treatment might be needed it to maintain sexual characteristics after puberty. In females, testosterone enanthate is indicated to be used secondarily in presence of advanced inoperable metastatic mammary cancer in women who are from one to five years postmenopausal. It has also been used in premenopausal women with breast cancer who have benefited from oophorectomy and are considered to have a hormone-responsive tumor.
Testosterone enanthate injections that are currently formulated for subcutaneous use are specifically indicated only for primary hypogonadism and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. The use of such formulations is limited because the safety and efficacy of these subcutaneous products in adult males with late-onset hypogonadism and males less than 18 years old have not yet been established. Moreover, subcutaneously administered testosterone enanthate is indicated only for the treatment of men with hypogonadal conditions associated with structural or genetic etiologies, considering the medication could cause blood pressure increases that can raise the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events like non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, and cardiovascular death.
Beginner Testosterone Enanthate Cycles
A 12 week beginner cycle dosed at 250mg to 500mg weekly provides an excellent introduction for the beginner by using the safest steroid in testosterone.
Side effects should be easily mitigated at this dose and a beginner will gain an insight into the effects of Testosterone Enanthate on the body during this first cycle.
8-week Test Enanthate cycle
What you’ll need is 1x10ml (250mg/ml) bottle of Testosterone Enanthate or Testosterone Cypionate. Just for your information 10ml = 10CC. Both are ok to inject just once per week so they are convenient and very effective.
You will inject once a week for 8 weeks with the following weekly dosages: 125mg/250mg/375mg/500mg/500mg/375mg/250mg/125mg (each is per week).
Once you are done with your 8 weeks, it’s time to start your post cycle therapy. Wait 2 full weeks after your last injection and use 50mg/day Clomid for 3 weeks.
10-week Test Enanthate cycle
What you’ll need here are 2x10ml (250mg/ml) bottles of Test Enanthate or Testosterone Cypionate. You will inject once a week for 10 weeks:
- Week 1-10 – 500mg per week Test Enanthate
- (PCT) Week 13-15 – 50mg per day Clomid (Clomiphene Citrate)
You can also use 10mg/day Nolvadex (or 0.5mg/eod Arimidex) throughout the cycle to combat gynecomastia related issues.
Intermediate Testosterone Enanthate Cycles
Stepping up to the next level involves stacking other compounds with Testosterone Enanthate.
A 12 week testosterone cycle consisting of Dianabol at 25mg weekly only for the first 4 weeks provides a boost to this bulking and strength stack. Spanning the entire 12 weeks is Testosterone Enanthate at 500mg weekly which is considered a very effective dose for any user level, and Deca-Durabolin at 400mg per week.
10-week Test Enanthate/Dianabol cycle
For this intermediate cycle you’ll need a 2x10ml (250mg/ml) bottles of testosterone (enanthate or cypionate) and 100x10mg Dbol tabs.
- Week 1-10 – 500mg per week Testosterone Enanthate
- Week 1-6 – 25mg per day Dianabol (Dbol)
Once you are done with your 10 week cycle, start your PCT 2 weeks after your last testosterone shot. You’d use Clomid at 50mg per day for 3 weeks. As a safeguard you can also use 0.5mg/eod Arimidex throughout the cycle.
15-week Deca/Dbol/Test E Cycle
For this intermediate cycle you’ll need a 3x10ml (250mg/ml) bottles of Test Enanthate or Cypionate, 100x10mg (200x5mg) Dbol tabs and 3x10ml (150mg/ml) bottles of Deca.
- Weeks 1-6 – 25-35mg per day Dbol
- Weeks 1-15 – 300mg per week Deca, 500mg per week Test E
Once you are done with your 15 week cycle, continue post cycle with 0.5mg/day Arimidex for 4 weeks. Start your PCT 2 weeks after your last Test/Deca injection. You’d use 100mg per day Clomid for 10 days and then 50mg/day Clomid for 10 more days.
Advanced Testosterone Enanthate Cycles
Even the most advanced users are best served with a 12 week cycle length, but in this case Testosterone Enanthate can be used as a testosterone support compound and not the primary anabolic compound. That role goes to the very powerful Trenbolone Enanthate which is an advanced level steroid only and never recommended for beginners.
600mg weekly of Tren and 100mg weekly of Testosterone Enanthate to support testosterone function provides a powerful cycle for either bulking, lean mass or cutting.
12-Week Dbol/Tren/Test E Cycle
This is an advanced cycle not suitable for beginners.
- Week 1-12 – 500mg per week Test E (2x250mg/week i.e. Mon/Thur), 0.5mg/eod Arimidex
- Weeks 1-6 – 40mg per day Dianabol (split throughout day)
- Weeks 7-12 – 100mg/eod Trenbolone
- (PCT) Week 14-16 – 100mg per day Clomid for the first 10 days and then continue with 50mg per day for another 10 days.
