Written by Daniel Gwartney, M.D.
27 May 2018

16NN254-TEST

The Role of DECA in a Testosterone Cycle

 

 

Clinical journals are beginning to report issues that bodybuilders have been investigating for generations. Ironically, there is now support for many of the dietary, training and drug protocols developed through years of “unsophisticated” experimentation and observation. In fact, aside from the extremes practiced by fetishists and professionals, the experiences of physique and performance enthusiasts are being incorporated into clinical practice, such as the use of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), Clomid and aromatase inhibitors during post-cycle recovery (or to improve fertility).

 

Experienced anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) users are well aware that enhanced gains can be achieved by combining two or more AAS in a cycle. This practice, called stacking, allows for greater stimulation of muscle hypertrophy and/or strength, while balancing certain side effects. These may include estrogenic excess via aromatization, water retention, hair loss, sexual side effects, mood and sleep disruption, and joint pain. One of the most popular stacks is Deca (nandrolone decanoate) and testosterone enanthate. Previously, Deca and Dianabol (methandrostenolone) was king, but the high prevalence of drug-induced liver injury has deterred many health-conscious AAS users away from oral AAS.

 

A recent paper discussed the adjunct use of nandrolone as a “counterbalance” to the androgenic potential of testosterone.1 Nandrolone is actually more androgenic than testosterone, but in sexual glands, hair follicles and the brain, it is the metabolite of these two hormones that matter. Testosterone converts into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) via the enzyme 5-alpha reductase in the prostate, hair follicle and many regions of the brain. DHT is many times (roughly five to 10 times) more potent as an ANDROGEN (not an anabolic) than testosterone. This results in sex hormone-sensitive tissues exhibiting pathologic changes when testosterone is elevated, such as during an anabolic cycle, including the use of testosterone esters or androgenic AAS (e.g., Dianabol). Nandrolone is actually a more androgenic AAS than testosterone, but when converted by the 5-alpha reductase enzyme in the relevant tissues, it converts into dihydronandrolone (DHN)— which is much less androgenic than testosterone, and far less than DHT. The authors rightly note that this makes it possible to provide a more muscle-specific benefit and potent anabolic effect via hormone replacement therapy, while reducing the advent of adverse effects (e.g., baldness, prostate enlargement and mood changes). In other words, nandrolone would aid in building muscle and lean mass, while reducing hair loss and prostate growth that would arise with the use of a higher dose of testosterone— to achieve the same gains in muscle and lean mass.

 

It was noted, from the experiences of recreational users, that using nandrolone without an androgenic steroid can result in erectile dysfunction. Further, the prolonged suppression of natural tesostosterone production was also discussed briefly. There were some misstatements in the article, and it was incomplete, but seeing the topic addressed in a medical journal offers promise of greater acceptance of, or at least interest in, field-proven practices developed over the decades of AAS-enhanced bodybuilding and sports.

 

Reference:

1. Pan MM, Kovac JR. Beyond testosterone cypionate: evidence behind the use of nandrolone in male health and wellness. Transl Androl Urol 2016;5:213-9

 

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