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Andro - 6/4/2003 10:45:14 AM

Cage

Posts: 23
Joined: 4/29/2003
Status: offline

Not sure if andro is a pro-hormone or not.. but it looks to be in the right forum. Seems more then just your average supplement.

I had a question involving the use of a common weight supplement known as androstenedione aka andro. I was debating whether or not to begin a " stack" of supplements including either andro or a human growth hormone.

I want to either use a supplement called Z-mass Pm, andro100, or a hgh called human growth complex.

To my knowledge the supplements I listed, and supplements like that all are meant to increase your testosterone which is a main factor in weight training.

My main concern, was if i started using one of these supplements, I wanted to be sure that none of the testosterone created would be converted into estrogen( female hormone)

Someone please help me with advice on what not to use and just inform me more of these supplements ..... THANKS

Post #: 1

RE: Andro - 6/4/2003 11:47:58 AM 1 votes

Twin Peak

Posts: 1515
Joined: 5/9/2003
Status: offline

Cage, interesting series of questions. Some thoughts.

Human growth hormone is NOT a supplement. No supplements mimic it either, so you are fallaciously buying into unseemly marketing advice. Stay away.

Andro, ah andro.

Androstendione, or, more accurately, 4-androstendione, was discovered by Pat Arnold (ergopharm) in the late 90s. It it what McGuire was taking. It has very low oral bioavailability and so will not raise testosternoe levels. Its diol counterpart (4-androstendiol) referred to as 4-diol or 4 AD in my other posts and in the industry, has greater oral bioavailability than the dione (this is generally true, BTW).

It will convert to testosterone (T) through enzymes in the body. The T (or some of it) will aromatize to estrogen (E) to a certain degree. The E is not really a bad thing. It will cause some water retention, but help with strength and muscle gains.

If you are looking for a non-aromatizing hormones 1-androstendione (1-AD buy ergopharm) or any number of the 1-testosterone products are something you should look in to. 1 AD converts to 1-test in the body.

Any of these substances, btw, are expgenous hormones, and so will effect (and supress) various endogenous hormone levels, which should be considered carefully.

Lastly, all the products you mention by name are quite inferior products, that do not provide effective active ingredients and/or do not provide them at sufficient levels.

Hope this helps.

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(in reply to Cage)

Post #: 2

RE: Andro - 6/9/2003 9:57:15 PM

Marc David

Posts: 9187
Joined: 4/6/2003
From: Bay Area -CA
Status: online

Andro Side Effects - Prohormone Lacks Thorough Studies

To date, no studies have show Androstenedione to have side effects on human subjects - this does not mean that Andro has no side effects. Some side effects of andro include:

Androstenedione supplementation may lead to elevated plasma estrogen concentration, which can lead to breast development in men, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer

Using Androstenedione may lead to kidney and liver damage

You may also experience acne problems and oily skin - acne is associated with testosterone

It can lead to premature baldness in men

Taking Androstenedione can enlarge prostates, reduce sperm production and increase aggression

Can also lead to testicles shrinkage, infertility, loss of libido, and even impotence. **

Androstenedione can disrupt female menstrual cycles

Deepens voice and increase facial hair growth, and can also cause enlarged clitoris

Can lower HDL cholesterol (the good kind)

** You may wonder why your this could happen. When the need for testosterone is satisfied, signal is sent to the hypothalamus and secretion is stopped. When you add prohormones in to your system, a similar effect takes place. So instead, your body doesn' t get the chance to take its natural course of action.

This can be dealt with through cycling. Most information you read recommends 6 weeks on and 2 weeks off. However, it' s in your best interest to take a equally long off period, or even longer off period. This gives your natural systems a chance to recover. I know a lot of people won' t agree with me on this, but hey, it' s just my 2 cents! In the end, it' s still your choice. ;-)

Side note: It' s not recommended for teenagers to use Andro, since alterations in hormone balance at a young age has adverse effects. If you' re under 18, you should not use Androstenedione prohormones. Besides, at such a young age, you' re full of raging hormones. ;-) I recommend you using creatine with whey protein - it works wonders. Read our articles on creatine and protein powder comparison.

The biggest drop in testosterone levels occur in your mid to late twenties, so this is a good time period to try out Andro if you' re thinking about it. I sincerely hope that you fully understand the benefits and the possible side effects of Andro before purchasing.

-Credit for this goes to Bodybuildingforyou.com and their write-up of Andro side effects.

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