Testosterone enanthate: properties, usage, and dosages

Author: Yuri Klimishin - an iron enthusiast and veteran of the "chemical" front.
2015-11-23

Important! We do not advocate for the use of steroids and other potent substances. All information is provided so that those who still decide to take them can do so with minimal health risks.

Testosterone enanthate (heptilate) is a long-acting separate (mono) ester of testosterone. Its half-life is approximately 6 to 7 days. The preparation possesses pronounced anabolic and powerful androgenic effects. Essentially, along with testosterone propionate, enanthate is the most popular and studied version of the main androgen.

It excellently stabilizes the androgen receptor, very effectively converts to estradiol (through interaction with the aromatase enzyme), and equally successfully converts to dihydrotestosterone. This transformation occurs when it binds with the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase in target cells located in almost all tissues and organs of our body.

Like any other injectable form of testosterone, enanthate increases endogenous production of Growth Hormone and IGF-1. It promotes an increase in the number of androgen receptors in muscle cells. It works equally well on the first cycle as well as on all subsequent ones.

One key point: this testosterone ester is absolutely unsuitable for people with a heightened tendency to convert it to dihydrotestosterone (the latter is completely inactive in muscle tissue but VERY active in the skin and prostate tissues). Furthermore, as is well known, dihydrotestosterone is an excellent anti-estrogen. An excessive anti-estrogenic activity during a mass-gaining cycle simply will not allow for proper muscle gain.

Caution is also advised for people with increased sensitivity to estradiol. As noted above, testosterone enanthate VERY effectively transforms into estrogens.

Application

1. MASS GAIN. This is the primary purpose of this ester. And it accomplishes this task 100%. The active aromatization of enanthate is only beneficial here. Even when using it as the only drug, one can gain up to ten kilograms over a standard (10 to 12 weeks) cycle. Naturally, most of the weight gained will consist of fluid, which tends to shed after the cycle. Nevertheless, with a proper diet, you will definitely retain several kilograms of real muscle.

The drug excellently occupies cortisol receptors and thus protects muscle right after training, when the release of the destructive hormone is most significant.

Enanthate will provide a substantial increase in strength indicators, strength endurance, and speed up recovery. There is a sharp increase in the muscle pump, which gives the user an incredible high during workouts. It lubricates the joints and alleviates pain in them (but only during the cycle). Its ability to intensify glycogen compensation will make you more energetic, while your muscles will appear fuller.

Considering the half-life of this ester, the minimum duration of a cycle is 10 weeks. Subjectively, enanthate starts to be felt around the middle to the end of the second week after starting the application. Less commonly, it begins to be felt from the third week.

2. CUTTING. In principle, an experienced testosterone user who knows their body’s reaction to this drug inside and out can cut on enanthate. However, it is better to prefer testosterone propionate. The strong aromatization of this ester will hinder fat burning. Estradiol, in elevated amounts, also slows down the process of fat loss. Additionally, noticeable water retention will interfere with the objective assessment of your physique as you shed subcutaneous ballast.

3. PCT. Post-cycle therapy should begin 12 to 14 days after the final injection of enanthate.

4. This preparation is DEFINITELY not for females unless prescribed by a doctor.

Dosing

The objective weekly dose of testosterone enanthate can be considered 250 – 1000 mg. However, in general, most bodybuilding and lifting enthusiasts find 500 mg sufficient. It is better to administer it twice a week, one milliliter on Monday and Thursday.

Combining with Other AAS

Testosterone can certainly be the only drug in a cycle. Its activity is so multifaceted that other AAS can only serve as an addition. If we talk about maximum muscle mass gains, the best combinations would be:

• Testosterone enanthate (500 mg per week) + nandrolone phenylpropionate (100 mg every third day) + methandrostenolone (30 – 50 mg daily for the first 4 – 5 weeks of the cycle).
• Testosterone enanthate (500 mg per week) + trenbolone enanthate (200 – 400 mg per week) + oxymetholone (100 mg daily for the first 4 – 5 weeks of the cycle).
• More cautious AAS users may try combinations of enanthate with boldenone (600 – 800 mg per week) and methenolone enanthate (Primobolan) (600 – 800 mg per week).

If you are excessively bloated with water on the testosterone enanthate cycle, it’s worth taking anastrozole or letrozole in standard dosages.

If you decide to use enanthate during a cutting phase, the same aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole/letrozole) are strictly necessary. Additionally, stanozolol (50 – 100 mg daily), drostanolone propionate (100 mg every other day), mesterolone (Proviron) (50 – 100 mg daily), and trenbolone acetate (50 – 100 mg every other day) may be suitable.

Side Effects

1. Suppression of natural testosterone production and suppression of the natural sexual axis.

2. Risk of gynecomastia, excessive water retention (and consequently increased blood pressure), and, with improper nutrition, accelerated fat gain.

3. Possible acne, increased oiliness of the skin, accelerated hair growth on the torso and limbs, baldness on the head, and prostate issues.

However, with adequate (for the specific stage) dosages, a testosterone user will likely not experience any side effects. Except for suppression of the reproductive system. But this is not even a side effect; it's a natural process in the body when using exogenous hormones.