Noah Jameson PhD Nandrolone is an anabolic steroid that has been used for medical purposes since the late 1950s. It is derived from testosterone, but with a modification that makes it less androgenic and more anabolic. Nandrolone has been used to treat conditions such as anemia, osteoporosis, breast cancer, and muscle wasting syndrome.
There are two main forms of nandrolone that are used clinically: nandrolone decanoate and nandrolone phenylpropionate. Nandrolone decanoate, also known as Deca-Durabolin, is a long-acting ester that was introduced in 1962 by Organon Laboratories. It is administered by intramuscular injection once every two to three weeks. Nandrolone phenylpropionate, also known as Durabolin, is a short-acting ester that was introduced in 1959 by the same company. It is administered by intramuscular injection once every five to seven days.
Nandrolone has several benefits for bodybuilders and athletes, such as increasing muscle mass, strength, endurance, and recovery. It also has a low risk of causing side effects such as acne, hair loss, prostate enlargement, and gynecomastia, compared to other anabolic steroids. However, nandrolone can cause serious side effects that may outweigh its benefits, such as:
- Suppressing natural testosterone production, which can lead to low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, infertility, and loss of bone and muscle mass.
- Causing water retention, which can increase blood pressure and strain the heart and kidneys.
- Affecting cholesterol levels, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke.
- Damaging the liver, which can cause jaundice, hepatitis, liver tumors, and liver failure.
- Altering the blood cells, which can cause anemia or polycythemia (too many red blood cells).
- Triggering allergic reactions, such as rash, hives, itching, swelling, and difficulty breathing.
- For women, causing virilization (masculinization), such as deepening voice, facial hair growth, acne, enlarged clitoris, and menstrual irregularities.
- For men, causing testicular atrophy (shrinkage), reduced sperm count and quality, and breast enlargement.
Nandrolone is a controlled substance in many countries and requires a prescription for medical use. It is also banned by most sports organizations and can result in legal consequences if used illegally. Nandrolone should only be used under the supervision of a qualified physician and with proper dosing, cycling, and post-cycle therapy.
Post-cycle therapy (PCT) is a protocol that is started after completing a cycle of nandrolone or other performance-enhancing drugs. The purpose of PCT is to restore the natural hormone balance in the body and prevent or minimize the negative effects of steroid use. PCT usually involves taking one or more of the following types of drugs:
- Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), such as clomiphene citrate (Clomid) or tamoxifen citrate (Nolvadex). These drugs block the effects of estrogen in the body and stimulate the production of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which in turn stimulate the production of testosterone by the testes.
- Aromatase inhibitors (AIs), such as anastrozole (Arimidex) or letrozole (Femara). These drugs inhibit the enzyme aromatase, which converts testosterone into estrogen. This reduces the amount of estrogen in the body and prevents estrogen-related side effects such as gynecomastia and water retention.
- Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone that mimics LH and stimulates the testes to produce testosterone. HCG is usually used during or at the end of a steroid cycle to prevent testicular atrophy and maintain sperm production.
The duration and dosage of PCT depend on several factors, such as the type, length, and dosage of the steroid cycle; the individual’s response to steroid use; and the availability and legality of PCT drugs. A typical PCT protocol may last from four to eight weeks and may include one or more of the above drugs in varying combinations and dosages.
PCT is essential for anyone who uses nandrolone or other steroids to preserve their gains; avoid losing muscle mass; prevent low testosterone symptoms; protect their health; and avoid legal troubles. PCT should be planned ahead of time and started as soon as possible after finishing a steroid cycle.
One of the drawbacks of using nandrolone is that it stays in the system for a long time and can be detected by drug tests for months or even years after the last use. The detection of nandrolone use is based primarily on the identification of its main urinary metabolite, 19-norandrosterone (19-NA). The detection time of nandrolone depends on the type of ester, the dosage, the frequency of use, the individual’s metabolism, and the sensitivity of the testing method. Generally, oral steroids have shorter detection times than injectable steroids, but nandrolone can still be detected for several weeks after oral use. Injectable nandrolone esters have much longer detection times, ranging from several months to over a year. For example, nandrolone decanoate can be detected for up to 18 months after the last injection, while nandrolone phenylpropionate can be detected for up to 12 months. Some factors that can affect the detection time of nandrolone include:
- The use of other drugs that can interfere with the metabolism or excretion of nandrolone or its metabolites.
- The use of masking agents or diuretics that can dilute or alter the urine sample.
- The use of supplements or foods that can contain traces of nandrolone or its precursors, such as 19-norandrostenedione or 19-norandrostenediol.
- The individual’s genetic variations that can influence the production or elimination of nandrolone or its metabolites.
Nandrolone is one of the most notorious steroids for producing metabolites that are highly detectable through testing or that remain in the body for an extended time. Therefore, nandrolone should be avoided by anyone who is at risk of being tested for steroid use, such as competitive athletes or bodybuilders. Nandrolone can also cause false-positive results for other steroids, such as testosterone or boldenone, due to cross-reactivity or contamination. Therefore, anyone who uses nandrolone should be aware of the potential consequences and legal implications of failing a drug test.
