How use Testosterone Enanthate or Primoteston in sports

Steroids were once viewed as a substance only being used by body builders, fitness fanatics and professional athletes, however, in the society of today, steroid use is becoming more commonplace. Testosterone is an anabolic steroid secreted by the testicles in a male, in the ovaries of women and in small amounts by the adrenal glands in both sexes.  In males, testosterone plays an integral role in overall health and accounts for the physical differences between genders.

For males, testosterone is responsible for virilization and androgenic qualities.  The anabolic effects of testosterone include muscle growth and strength, increase in bone density and stimulating linear growth and bone maturation.  The virilizing effects of testosterone in males includes maturation of the sex organs, deepening of the voice, the growth of facial hair and male secondary sexual characteristics.

How testosterone effects the female body is best witnessed in adulthood.  The hormone is responsible for clitoral enlargement, sex drive, mental and physical energy and plays a role in the fight-or-flight hormonal response regulation.

Testosterone can be labeled as the “impulse” hormone, and how it effects the body of a male versus a female differs dramatically.  Having a normal level of testosterone in the body is very important for the health, development and well-being of both males and females.

How Testosterone Builds Muscle:
There are many hormones that play an important part of how the body responds to exercise, increases strength and builds muscle tissue.  Testosterone is an anabolic steroidal hormone, the word “anabolic,” refers to the building up of body tissues.

Testosterone is the number one hormone used in the development of muscle and strength and through regular exercise, fine motor skills, fitness, muscle and bone strength and joint function increase.  The mechanism of action by which testosterone increases muscle mass is not well documented and further studies are ongoing.

Primotestone (Testosterone Enanthate) is an injectable steroid which first developed in the 1950s. Primoteston has a slow release mechanism allowing less frequent injections while the steroid remains active for between 2 and 3 weeks. Replacing Oreton (testosterone propionate), Primoteston has generally been used in the medical community for the treatment of delayed puberty as well as in androgen deficient patients. Testosterone Enanthate compounds have also been shown to be an effective male contraceptive, but it has not achieved popularity in this regard. Despite its age and unsophistication, especially when compared to newer products on the market, still remains one of the top bulking choices, particularly in the U.S., amongst those seeking performance enhancements. In fact, enanthate is the most popular ester of testosterone currently available.

Primoteston Effects: Like all testosterone based steroids, Primoteston aromatizes into estrogen which results in significant water retention. Although this artificially raises weight and hides muscles gains. It does, however, protects the muscles and the joints while the testosterone promotes muscle growth. These side effects can be mitigated with the use of an anti-estrogen but are generally only necessary when higher dosages are being administered. Gains with Testosterone Enanthate based compounds such as Primoteston are significant.

Because the body only naturally produces between 2.5 and 11 mg of testosterone per day, one can easily imagine the effects increasing that amount significantly could have. Primoteston functions by promoting nitrogen retention within the muscles which, in turn, allows more protein to be stored supporting more rapid tissue growth. It also increases production IGF-1, a naturally occurring anabolic in the body. Red blood cell levels should also increase while on Primoteston. This results in a higher VO2 max is possible. It also boosts recovery times, energy, and libido. Testosterone enanthate based compounds such as Primoteston are generally used for bulking although it can be effective while cutting provided the user is on a strict diet. Women are advised against using Primoteston due to its masculanizing effects.

Primoteston Dosage and Side Effects: Within the bodybuilding community, the standard injection dose is usually between 200 and 600mg once or twice weekly for 6-12 weeks. Higher doses than those specified are not uncommon with advanced bodybuilders but side effects will become much more pronounced as the dose is increased. Testosterone Enanthate compounds are also stackable and combines well with other steroids. As mentioned above, female body builders are advised against using Primoteston as it is difficult to maintain hormone levels and prevent virilization.

Side effects of Primoteston may include an increase in estrogen levels (resulting in gynecomastia at higher levels), water retention, body hair growth, acne, oily skin, testosterone suppression, increased aggression, male pattern hair loss, negatively affected cholesterol levels and a rise in blood pressure (albeit a significantly lower rise than with other steroids). Men who are predisposed to hair loss may wish to consider a less androgenic steroid. Many of these side effects can be effectively minimized, controlled and potentially avoided with proper supplements. Testosterone levels should return to their natural levels within approximately 1-4 months without any intervention or post-cycle therapy. Women, who are not recommended to take Testosterone based compounds, will be at risk of masculinization related effects. These consist of a deepening in their voice, body and facial hair growth, menstrual irregularities, and clitoral enlargement. In the event any of the aforementioned symptoms begin to manifest, women should cease use immediately to avoid permanent changes. Athletes using Primoteston are advised to use a step down routine after ending a cycle in order to reduce the possibility of a post-cycle crash. This may not be necessary for cycles less than 10 weeks.

Very powerful oral steroid GP Oxy

Anapolon (GP Oxy) is a very powerful oral steroid. It is considered by many bodybuilders to be the ultimate mass building drug. This remarkable ability to increase muscle mass comes at a price though and the main drawback of this steroid is the number and severity of side-effects associated with it. Just about every side-effect linked to steroid use is likely to be experienced while using this drug. The most severe in my opinion is Anapolon’s toxic effects on the liver. However, one has to take into account the dosage range for this drug. Anapolon is taken in dosages between 50 to 150mg per day, where many others like Dianabol and Winstrol are taken in dosages from 10 to 40mg per day. This makes a direct comparison impossible and it’s very likely that 150mg of Winstrol will be just as toxic if not more harmful.

The most common daily dose of Anapolon (GP Oxy) is 100mg, but even at that dosage side-effects like water-retention, elevated blood pressure, acne, hair loss, blood clotting changes, gynocomastia, liver toxicity and mood swings are very often reported. Using aromatase inhibitors to control estrogen aromatization will be ineffective as this drug does not directly convert into estrogen. It was suggested that oxymetholone can activate the estrogen receptor, similar to, but more profoundly than the estrogenic androgen methandriol. Supplements like Milk Thistle can be taken to help keep liver enzyme levels between safe ranges.

When used correctly and responsibly Anapolon (GP Oxy) makes a great addition to any bulking cycle. The best results are seen when Anapolon is stacked in conjunction with other injectable steroids. Anapolon makes a great kickstart to a bulking cycle and is normally used during the first 3 to 4 weeks of the cycle. Avoid using other oral steroids in the same stack, because when combined with other 17-alpha alkylated compounds the hepatotoxic effects will become impossible to control and serious liver damage may occur.

A dosage of 1-2mg per kilogram of body weight is a good starting place, however not recommend this drug to novice steroid users and they are better off looking into Dianabol as a kick start. A drop in weight is often experienced when the switch is made from the kick start phase to the remainder of the cycle, but this is likely to be water weight only and should not be of any concern.  It was designed to be a safe and mind anabolic steroid and in low doses was well tolerated by women and children. Oxandrolone is a Class I anabolic, mildly androgenic steroid, which makes it safe to use in many cases. This drug has been used for anything from, burn victims to treatment of osteoporosis as it provides calcium to the body which will aid in bone regeneration. However in 1989 this drug was discontinued by Searle Laboratories partly due to the illegal use among bodybuilders. Around 6 years later Bio-Technology General Corp negotiated a deal with Searle where they would continue to manufacture the drug Anavar and supply it to BTG. This is when a press release went out stating its effects on involuntary weight loss and focused itself on HIV/AID’s wasting indications which were approved by the FDA where they were able to dictate the price by it being granted Orphan Drug status by the Food and Drug Administration.

As stated in the history of Anavar it is a Class I anabolic steroid giving it mild anabolic and low androgenic properties. This drug is also a derivative of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and this is where confusion comes into its effects. Due to it being a derivate of DHT this drug is already “5-alpha reduced”, meaning it is unable to react with this enzyme like the means of testosterone making it a more potent form of “di hydro”. There is no conversion from neurosteroid allopregnanolone (5AR type I) to DHT(5AR type II), so false claims of using Procepia (Finasteride) which inhibits 5AR type II or Dutasteride which inhibits both 5AR type I and type II would be completely ineffective. However if you are concerned about hair loss there have been reports that spironolactone, flutamide and nizorol shampoo may work.

Now that we have that out the way let’s talk about some of the positive effects and dosing of this drug. Dosage of Anavar for men is in the region of 40 to 100mg every day. The active life of this drug is around 9 hours so splitting your dose up during the day would be advised.

Anavar starts to work within minutes of digestion however people reported noticeable changes from day 3 where they reported larger pumps. As far as strength and vascularity this happens anywhere from day 8 to 14 of the cycle, the strength on this product is insane and increases every week. It is reported that Oxandrolone causes a strong strength gain by stimulating the phosphocreatine synthesis in the muscle cell without depositing water and I’m guessing this is why reports state adding creatine to your Anavar cycle could be favoured. Anavar has also being closed linked to fat loss, and in a study there were reports of reduction in abdominal and visceral fat in men, the other logical explanation is its appetite suppressant effects.

Anavar is pretty mild on the liver and even though it is a 17aa compound, meaning that it´s been altered to first pass through your liver without being destroyed, however Anavar is not primary metabolized by the liver like other 17-alpha alkylated orals. At higher doses however one can see an increase in liver enzyme values, these results return to normal after cessation of a moderate, short cycle.

As much as many researchers might claim that Anavar doesn’t supress your Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPTA) it does. Research has shown a dose as low as 2.5mg a day can supress some. And because this product is suppressive, proper post cycle therapy (PCT) is a must. However a minimum of Clomid / Nolvadex would be required however Human Chorionic Gonadotropin or a synthetic version like Ovidrel would be desired. Dosage plays a large part in the effects this drug will have on your HPTA and sex drive and anywhere on the 40mg mark could tip either way.

Sustanon and Testosterone replacement therapy

Testosterone plays a big role in creating and maintaining the levels of supremacy, status, and power. This is not just because the primary male sex hormone is one of the biggest factors driving competitiveness in men, but also because it encourages men to gain and maintain power and amp; social status. However, some men may face deficiency of testosterone (low testosterone, low T, hypogonadism or andropause) as they age.

Low testosterone levels in men are characterized by signs and symptoms such as reduced sex drive, sperm production, bone density, red blood cell production, muscle mass, fat distribution, lethargy, energy levels, and body strength. A fall in testosterone would therefore mean weak bones, low energy, significant physical and emotional changes, increased fat tissue, increased risk of osteoporosis, constant fatigue, depression, and increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and erectile dysfunction.

In today’s highly competitive world where second chances are rare to come by, the pressure to win at all costs surely leaves us left with stress and sedentary lifestyles. These are the times when the body takes a huge toll and the production of natural hormones such as Testosterone start declining at a gradual and speedy pace. This means we not only face an increased risk of memory, concentration, libido, and energy loss, but our body’s ability to produce sperm and maintain bone density is hampered. This is where a potent drug like Sustanon 250 comes into the picture.

Prescribed medically for replacement therapy, Sustanon is a blend of four compounds of testosterone: 30 mg Testosterone Propionate, 60 mg testosterone phenylpropionate, 60 mg testosterone Isocaproate, and 100 mg testosterone decanoate. This anabolic androgenic steroid is prescribed worldwide for men diagnosed with low testosterone levels. This oil-based injectable blend has the chemical name of 17ß-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one and can be detected over a period of 2-3 months. This drug, prescribed as part of replacement therapy, is ideally used in doses of 250-500mg every week by men though some men tend to administer this steroid in weekly doses of 1000-2000mg. Athletes and bodybuilders stack this steroid with anabolic androgenic steroids such as Trenbolone, Anadrol, Winstrol, Dianabol, Masteron and Parabolan. However, Sustanon should be used with great care and diligence. This drug is not recommended to girls and women, especially if pregnant or breastfeeding or those who may get pregnant while using this drug.

Extremely popular among those in strength athletics and bodybuilding, Sustanon is one steroid that can always and easily be associated with promoting the sense of well being. Use of this steroid improves libido and erectile function and stimulates improvements in levels of hemoglobin and Hematocrit without any clinically relevant changes in liver enzymes and PSA. Moreover, Sustanon use is characterized by low fat deposition and water retention levels that make muscles appear smooth, strong, and ripped. The list of benefits associated with this potent and affordable steroid does not end here. Sustanon use for a period of eight to twelve weeks is also linked with improved reflexes and invincibility and this steroid can even improve the number of motor neurons in skeletal muscles and enhance neuromuscular transmission.

Ttestosterone replacement therapy with sustanon has the potential of improving the signs and symptoms of low testosterone in men diagnosed with Hypogonadism, a health condition in which the male body is unable to produce sufficient amounts of testosterone because of a problem with the testicles or with the pituitary gland controlling the testicles. It is for these and many more reasons that Sustanon is rated very highly by medical practitioners across the world to treat men with fewer spontaneous erections, reduced sexual desire, sleep disturbances, increased body fat, reduced muscle bulk, or decreased bone density. Use of this anabolic androgenic steroid is also associated with dramatic improvements in the levels of PSA, hemoglobin, hematocrit, lipid profiles, and liver function tests. Moreover, improved testosterone levels also prove useful in reducing body fat as the primary male sex hormone plays a critical role in regulating insulin, fat metabolism, and glucose. If that was not all, improved testosterone also results in improved muscle mass and body strength by increasing protein synthesis besides stimulating the drive to win and the desires for power and status.

Side effects:
Side-effects from using Sustanon 250 are consistent with side-effects of any testosterone. They include water retention and gynecomastia (bitch tits) from testosterone’s conversion to estrogen by the aromatase enzyme. Users on Sustanon also risk side-effects like hair loss and swelling of the prostate, mainly from testosterone’s conversion to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the 5-reductase enzyme. Both of these side-effects can be minimized with the use of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) like nolvadex (tamoxifen) or aromatase inhibitors (AIs) like aromasin.

Higher levels of testosterone also cause more oil to be secreted on the skin; thus, increasing your chances of getting acne. In addition, you will be more prone to sweating and your urine will have a “solvent-like” smell if you exceed 500-750mgs of sust per week.


Best Sustanon Cycles For Male Athletes:

The best steroids in the history of bodybuilding Nandrolone Decanoate

Nandrolone is one of the best known steroids in the history of bodybuilding. Originally synthesized in 1950s, athletes quickly found there was a good use for this powerful steroid. As far back as the mid 1960's Nandrolone has been used as a great addition to a dianabol and/or testosterone cycle. Since Nandrolone works for any athlete looking to increase the amount of steroids he is using, without increasing the side effects, it has been a favorite of many old school bodybuilders. In simple terms, deca allows you to use more steroids, without having more side effects.

Interestingly, trace amounts of Nandrolone have been found in the urine of pregnant women after the 6th week; as a result, we know that it is possible for a human body to make base Nandrolone. 

Nandrolone is the base hormone, but it is better known under the trade name Deca Durabolin, which contains Nandrolone Decanoate. This popular preparation takes the nandrolone hormone and adds a decanoate ester chain. This ester chain is attached during the manufacturing process and it serves dual purposes. The main purpose is to make the hormone oil soluble, so it can be put in an amp or multi-dose vial. The second purpose of this ester chain is to slow-release the steroid by keeping deca from interacting with androgen receptors until the ester chain is cleaved off by enzymes in your body. Since Nandrolone Decanoate cannot attach to an androgen receptor until enzymes in your body have cleaved off the decanoate ester, it causes the steroid to slow-release into your system over many days. For medical use, the ester's main function is to allow the hormone to be injected only once every 3 weeks. However, bodybuilders may inject Deca Durabolin weekly or as often as every three days.

Since the mid 1960's, Deca Durabolion has become a staple in most testosterone and/or dianabol cycles, the main reason is that Deca adds a lot of strength to a cycle without increasing side effects.

When used in a testosterone and/or dianabol cycle, deca really adds weight to the cycle without much more stress on the system. Deca does not add additional side-effects when used with other steroids, but it should never be used alone. Standalone use of Nandrolone comes with its very own set of nasty side-effects, the most infamous of them all, where the affected user is unable to get or sustain an erection. This is due to the fact that without the stronger testosterone metabolites like dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the softer and much weaker metabolites from deca will flood your receptors, not leaving room for stronger androgens. Not only are deca's weaker metabolites an issue when there is an absence of stronger androngens, but nandrolone itself can, and will, attach to progesterone receptors. This causes side effects that only affect the user in the absence of supraphysiological amounts of stronger androgens.

The best way to explain Deca Durabolin is that it's basically a progesterone-like hormone that builds muscle mass, strength and, to a lesser degree, helps repair joints. It should not give you any bad side effects when used with stronger androgens that will mask and counteract possible problems from Nandrolone. If ever used by itself, the bad side-effects from Nandrolone will crush your libido, sexual desire, cause bloating and gynecomastia.

Since Deca Durabolin is formulated using Nandrolone Decanoate, one of the longest esters in existence, it is very oil soluble, the way all steroids with long esters are. This easy solubility in oils means that manufacturers have to use a lower percentage of solvents to manufacture the products; thus, making for a less irritating shot. Generally, Deca injections are done weekly by most bodybuilders.

By adding 400mg per week of Nandrolone to a testosterone cycle or a Dianabol cycle, you'll be able to increase your overall steroid dosage, without increasing the side effects. For example, a bodybuilder taking 500mg Sustanon 250 per week, who felt he needed more power in his cycle, would find himself with more side-effects if he were to just take more of the same testosterone. Since testosterone aromatizes at an increasing rate at higher doses, there would be an exponential increase in the likeliness of gynecomastia and water retention if more testosterone was added weekly. When adding Nandrolone Decanoate to the same testosterone cycle, you are increasing the total amounts of steroids your body is receiving every week. However, you are not adding anymore viable substrate for undesired enzymatic reactions from aromatase and 5-reductase. In simple terms, you use more steroids without more side effects.

The dosage for men is around 400-600mgs per week but that varies depending on goals.
Side effects when stacking Deca Durabolin are a little different. As we all know, Deca is usually stacked with test and dbol. The problem is that testosterone and Dianabol are known to cause major side effects like water retention and the growth of breasts in men (gyno). These effects stem from these steroids being converted to estrogen (from testosterone) and 17a-methylestradiol (from Dianabol) by the aromatase enzyme. Other side effects these two steroids display are major hair loss and enlarging of the prostate, mainly due to testosterone's conversion to dihydrotestosterone via its inevitable interaction with the 5-reductase enzyme. Although Nandrolone has some limited interaction width both the aromatase and 5-reductase enzymes, the metabolites resulting from these interactions do not cause the same extreme side effects as test and dbol. Therefore, Deca Durabolin is basically a synergetic steroid that work well with all other bulking steroids. Allowing you to bulk more without more side-effects.

Use of Anabolic Steroids in Patients Who Have HIV/AIDS

Of the 3 orally active anabolic steroids, Oxandrolone has been studied in HIV-infected patients more extensively than has Oxymetholone. Stanozolol is used for the treatment of hereditary angioedema and has not been used for its anabolic effect in this patient population to any great extent. Use of the steroid oxandrolone is associated with significant gains in weight and body cell mass in HIV-positive men who had experienced HIV-related wasting, according to an American study published in the March edition of the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. However, although the steroid increased muscle mass, it did not improve endurance and caused side-effects, including an increase in levels of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol and elevations in liver enzymes. Unintentional loss of just 3% of body weight has been associated with poorer survival in HIV-positive individuals. Although the use of antiretroviral therapy has led to a significant decrease in the prevalence of unintended weight loss, it is still common, even amongst people taking HIV treatment.

One of the earlier studies of Oxandrolone in HIV-infected patients was begun before the introduction of the PIs. Sixty-three HIV-infected men with a loss of body weight greater than 10% were randomized to receive placebo; Oxandrolone, 5 mg/d or Oxandrolone, 15 mg/d. The patients who received 15 mg/d of oxandrolone gained weight throughout the 16-week period, whereas those who received 5 mg/d of Oxandrolone maintained their weight. In contrast, the patients who received placebo continued to lose weight.

In a follow-up study, which has not yet been published, patients were randomized to placebo or to 1 of 3 dosages of Oxandrolone - 20 mg/d, 40 mg/d or 80 mg/d (C. Grunfeld, unpublished data, 1998). The patients in the group who received 40 mg/d had the most statistically significant weight gain. However, both the patients in this group and those who received 80 mg/d showed significant increases in serum levels of liver transaminases.

A study published in 1999 sought to determine whether a regimen of supra physiologic doses of androgen (testosterone) plus an anabolic steroid (Oxandrolone) would improve the LBM and strength gains achieved with progressive resistance exercise in HIV-infected men who had experienced weight loss. A second objective of the study was to determine whether antiretroviral therapy with a PI prevented lean body anabolism.

All subjects in the study participated in supervised progressive resistance exercise for 8 weeks. At the same time, they received testosterone, 100 mg/wk, by intramuscular injection. Twenty-four eugonadal men were then randomized to either placebo or Oxandrolone, 20 mg/d. Twenty-two patients completed the study. The results indicated that compared with patients who received placebo, those who received Oxandrolone experienced improved nitrogen balance (P = .05); increased LBM (P = .005); and increased muscle strength, as judged by either maximum weight lifted (P = .02 to .05) or dynamometry (P = .01 to .05). The results were similar regardless of whether the patients were taking a PI. However, compared with placebo, Oxandrolone was associated with a statistically significant decrease in blood levels of high-den-sity lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (P < .001).

Because all patients in the study participated in progressive resistance training and received testosterone, only an additive effect of Oxandrolone versus placebo was being determined. Therefore, the study appears to be valid even though the number of patients enrolled was small. On the other hand, had the design of the study called for dividing the patients into multiple groups, so that not all patients received testosterone or participated in progressive resistance exercise, the number of patients required to reach statistical significance would have been much higher.

The conclusions that can be drawn from the study are that Oxandrolone  20 mg/d, added to a program consisting of both progressive resistance exercise and physiologic doses of testosterone improved the anabolic and functional responses in patients who showed HIV-related weight loss.

Only 1 study of Oxymetholone in HIV-infected patients has been reported. This study was a nonblinded pilot trial that was completed in Germany and reported in 1996. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either Oxymetholone (14 patients) or Oxymetholone plus ketotifen (16 patients). Ketotifen is an H1-receptor antagonist (ie, antihista- mine) that has been shown to block tumor necrosis factor a. The patients receiving the medications under study were compared with 30 matched control patients who met the same inclusion criteria, such as advanced HIV infection and chronic cachexia. On completion of the twelve-week double-blind phase of the study, all the patients were offered the option of remaining on the study for a further twelve weeks and receiving an open label 20mg Oxandrolone dose a day. By the end of this period, there were no differences in weight between patients and liver function ceased to be significantly different from baseline.

Although the investigators note that treatment with the steroid was generally “well tolerated” they note that over 5% of patients had moderate or severe increases in levels of liver enzymes and that “LDL levels decreased and HDL levels increased.”

Human growth hormone to the treatment of the wasting syndrome of HIV/AIDS

Human growth hormone (HGH) is a naturally occurring polypeptide hormone secreted by the pituitary gland and is essential for body growth. Daily secretion of HGH increases throughout childhood, peaking during adolescence, and steadily declining thereafter. In 1985, synthetic HGH was developed and approved by the FDA for specific uses. However, it is commonly abused by athletes, bodybuilders, and aging adults for its ability increase muscle mass and decrease body fat, as well as its purported potential to improve athletic performance and reverse the effects of aging.

Several FDA-approved injectable HGH preparations are available by prescription from a supervising physician for clearly and narrowly defined indications. In children, HGH is approved for the treatment of poor growth due to Turner’s syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome and chronic renal insufficiency, HGH insufficiency/deficiency, for children born small for gestational age, and for idiopathic short stature. Accepted medical uses in adults include but are not limited to the treatment of the wasting syndrome of HIV/AIDS and HGH deficiency. Dependent on the clinical presentation, pediatric dosages range from 24-100 microgram/kilogram/day and adult dosages from 0.9-25 microgram/kilogram/day, dependent on product. The FDA-approved injectable formulations are available as liquid preparations, or as powder with a diluent for reconstitution.

Using recombinant DNA technology, two forms of synthetic HGH were developed, Somatropin and Somatrem. Somatropin is identical to the endogenous pituitary-derived HGH, whereas Somatrem has an extra amino acid on the N-terminus. Both synthetic forms have similar biological actions and potencies as the endogenous HGH polypeptide. Synthetic HGH also is chemically indistinguishable from the naturally occurring hormone in blood and urine tests.

HGH binds to growth hormone receptors present on cells throughout the body. HGH functions to regulate body composition, fluid homeostasis, glucose and lipid metabolism, skeletal muscle and bone growth, and possibly cardiac functioning. Sleep, exercise, and stress all increase the secretion of HGH.

The use of HGH is associated with several adverse effects including edema, carpal tunnel syndrome, joint pain, muscle pain, and abnormal skin sensations (e.g., numbness and tingling). It may also increase the growth of preexisting malignant cells, and increase the possibility of developing diabetes.

HGH is administered by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. The circulating half-life of HGH is relatively short half-life (20-30 minutes), while its biological half-life is much longer (9-17 hours) due to its indirect effects.

Human growth hormone is illicitly used as an anti-aging agent, to improve athletic performance, and for bodybuilding purposes. It is marketed, distributed, and illegally prescribed off-label to aging adults to replenish declining hGH levels and reverse age-related bodily deterioration. It is also abused for its ability to alter body composition by reducing body fat and increasing skeletal muscle mass. It is often used in combination with other performance enhancing drugs, such as anabolic steroids. Athletes also use it to improve their athletic performance, although the ability of HGH to increase athletic performance is debatable.

Athletes, bodybuilders, and aging adults are the primary abusers of HGH. Because the illicit use of synthetic HGH is difficult to detect, its use in sports is believed to be widespread. Over the past few years, numerous professional athletes have admitted to using HGH. Bodybuilders, as well as celebrities also purportedly use it for its ability to alter body composition. Aging adults looking to reverse the effects of aging are increasingly using synthetic HGH.

Hepatitis C and diagnosis with HIV

Hepatitis C is usually transmitted through blood-to-blood contact. Needles, syringes and other equipment used to inject drugs, and equipment used to sniff drugs such as straws or banknotes, should never be shared. The sexual transmission of hepatitis C is now an issue of concern. It used to be thought that this was very rare. However, there have been recent reports of increasing numbers of gay men testing positive for hepatitis C. Many of these men are HIV positive and their only risk activity appears to be unprotected anal sex. Sexual activity that carries a risk of contact with blood, such as rougher anal sex, use of sex toys and fisting, seems to have a particular risk of hepatitis C transmission. Group sex, especially in the context of drug use, is also an important risk factor. Using condoms correctly, every time you have sex, not sharing sex toys or washing them between use, and not sharing pots of lubricant can reduce the risk. Mother-to-baby transmission of hepatitis C is thought to be uncommon, but the risk is increased if the mother is also HIV positive. A high hepatitis C viral load increases the risk that a mother will pass on hepatitis C to her baby and, as with HIV, a caesarean delivery reduces the risk. It’s best not to share razors, hair and nail clippers, nail scissors or toothbrushes if you have hepatitis C.

Very few people experience symptoms when they are first infected with hepatitis C. When they do occur, symptoms include jaundice, diarrhoea and feeling sick. In the longer term, about 50% of people with hepatitis C will experience some symptoms. The most common ones are feeling generally unwell, extreme tiredness, weight loss, depression and intolerance of fatty food and alcohol. Although a small proportion of people infected with hepatitis C clear the infection naturally, about 85% will go on to develop chronic hepatitis C. About a third of people will develop severe liver disease within 15 to 25 years. The severity of disease can be affected by the strain of hepatitis C you are infected with. Men, people who drink alcohol, people who are infected with hepatitis C when they are already into middle age, and people with HIV seem to experience faster hepatitis C disease progression. Hepatitis C can cause liver fibrosis (hardening) and cirrhosis (scarring). This damages the liver to such an extent that it cannot work properly, causing jaundice, internal bleeding and swelling of the abdomen. Chronic infection with hepatitis C can cause liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma, or HCC). HCC is especially likely to happen in people with cirrhosis, particularly if they drink heavily. There’s also some evidence that smoking can speed up the rate of cirrhosis and increase the risk of liver cancer. Surgery is the most effective form of treatment for liver cancer, but  other options include chemotherapy and treatment with drugs.

You should be tested soon after your diagnosis with HIV to see if you are also infected with hepatitis C. Unlike hepatitis B, there is no vaccine against hepatitis C. If you are in a group at high risk of infection with hepatitis C, it’s recommended that you have regular tests to see if you have been infected. A test is available to measure hepatitis C viral load. Unlike the HIV viral load test, this is not an indicator of when to start treatment. However, it is used to show how effective treatment any hepatitis C is being and how long it should continue. Liver function tests can give an indication of the extent to which hepatitis C has damaged your liver. Liver ultrasounds and biopsies may also be used. People co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C are more likely to develop liver damage than people who are only infected with hepatitis C. However, hepatitis C does not increase your risk of becoming ill due to HIV or responding less well to HIV treatment.

HIV treatment can be used safely and effectively if you are co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C. HIV treatment that suppresses viral load and increases your CD4 cell count can slow the rate of HCV-related liver damage. However, you may be at greater risk of experiencing the liver side-effects which some anti-HIV drugs can cause, and you and your doctor should have this in mind when selecting which anti-HIV drugs to take. It also seems to be the case that people co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C are at greater risk of developing some of the metabolic disorders which anti-HIV drugs can cause (particularly insulin resistance and diabetes). Drugs are available for the treatment of hepatitis C and you should receive your treatment and care from doctors who are expert in the treatment of both HIV and hepatitis C. This may mean that, as well as seeing an HIV doctor, you also need to see a specialist liver doctor.

If you have both HIV and hepatitis C, you should be assessed to see if you would benefit from starting hepatitis C treatment.

If you and your doctor decide that you will start hepatitis C treatment now, and your CD4 cell count is between 350 and 500, you should start hepatitis C treatment first, then start HIV treatment. If your CD4 cell count is between 350 and 500 and you don’t yet need treatment for hepatitis C, you should start HIV treatment.

If your CD4 cell count is under 350, you should start HIV treatment before starting hepatitis C treatment. A number of anti-HIV drugs have interactions with drugs used to treat hepatitis C. The choice of anti-HIV drugs you take will need to be made with these possible interactions in mind.

Before you start treatment for hepatitis C, it is important to know which strain, or genotype, of hepatitis C you have been infected with, as this can predict your response to treatment and the amount of time you will need to take treatment for. There are several hepatitis C genotypes. Type 1 is most common in the UK, and unfortunately responds least well to the currently available treatments for hepatitis C. Genotype 4 is also harder to treat. People with genotypes 2 or 3 respond better to treatment. However, there are new HCV drugs available, and more in development, which should improve the chances of a cure for people with harder-to-treat genotypes.

Factors such as your age, gender, how long you have had hepatitis C, the degree of liver damage and whether cirrhosis has developed are also important in predicting if treatment is likely to be effective. Unlike HIV treatment, treatment for hepatitis C is not lifelong. It consists of 24 or 48 weeks of treatment, and the length of treatment you receive will depend on the hepatitis C genotype you are infected with. A test after twelve weeks of treatment can predict if you are going to respond to treatment.

Drugs are available for the treatment of hepatitis C. The backbone of treatment consists is pegylated interferon and ribavirin. These are taken in combination with an anti-HCV protease inhibitor. This sort of triple combination has been found to be much more effective than dual therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin alone. The aim of hepatitis C treatment is to eradicate infection with hepatitis C completely.

Other aims of treatment include normalizing liver function, reducing liver inflammation and reducing further damage to the liver. If you are ill because of HIV, then the aim of hepatitis C treatment is likely to focus on improving your tolerance of anti-HIV drugs, reducing the risk of death from liver problems and improving your overall quality of life. Hepatitis C treatment can have unpleasant side-effects, including a high temperature, joint pain, weight loss, nausea and vomiting and depression. Other side-effects include disturbances in blood chemistry.