What is "test"?

[Daniel141]

I've been reading around the forum and I've seen a few people comment about test cycles. I'm assuming test is short for testosterone, but what is a test cycle exactly? Is it a product?

Thanks!

[SICKOFITALL]

Its an injectible steroid, which comes in different forms such as Test Enanthate, Test Cyp, Test Prop etc... Its the base for any steroid cycle.

[B Miles]

Go back to the stickys bro, you've got alot of researching to do. Keep reading.

[surferph34]

Found a better, more detailed explaination for you....

Taken from Chemical Muscle Enhancement

"MALE HORMONE SYNTHESIS

Males synthesize androgens at a much higher level than females because they have testicles. Testicles are referred to as "testes" and are located in the scrotum. (Hey, I once received a letter asking how to get "testes" and where do they come from. So stop with the "hey stupid” comments) They also produce androgens through biosynthesis due to enzymatic pathways starting from the adrenal glands which are located near the kidneys. Predominantly, the adrenal glands (there are two) produce epinephrine, which is also called adrenaline, but also produce other hormones commonly referred to as prohormones through a biosynthesis processes and due to conversion enzymes. The lion’s share of a male’s androgens are produced by the Leydig's cells located in the testes. The most active and dominant androgen is testosterone, which is of course the main focus of this discussion.

Testosterone production is governed by the hypothalamus- pituitary -testes -axis referred to hereafter as the "HPTA". The HPTA has a series of checks and balances all influenced by serum (the fluid part of the blood containing the active hormones which circulate through the body) levels of several hormones and pro-hormones. If testosterone production is too low, the testes signal the hypothalamus to release more leutenizing hormone-releasing- hormone (LHRH). The circulating LHRH tells the pituitary to release more leutenizing- hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating-hormone (FSH). When the
circulating FSH and LH reach the testes, they signal the Leydig's cells to produce more sperm and testosterone.

When testosterone levels are too high the testes signal the hypothalamus to release less LHRH…and then "the boy's" production process decreases or stops. It is quite interesting that elevated estrogen levels can signal a production decrease for androgens, such as testosterone, far more significantly than any androgen. Please, read that again to be sure you understand the basic HPTA function. It does relate heavily to the effects and effectiveness of exogenous (occurring outside the body) AAS use by athletes. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT FUNCTION TO PROTECT!

TESTOSTERONE… WHAT DOES IT DO ?

The main androgen focused upon for this discussion is testosterone. But please realize that almost all synthetic AAS are chemical variants of testosterone and therefore much of the characteristics apply to them as well. (But not all!) Testosterone has two distinct characteristics or effects.

First, its anabolic characteristics (tissue building) which express themselves as increased and accelerated muscle tissue build-up which leads to faster recovery time after training, illness, and injuries, and to a quicker "regeneration" (I hate that word!) of the entire body. This is because an anabolic response leads to the promotion of protein synthesis and tissue repair or increase.

Secondly, androgenic characteristics or effects which are commonly referred to as secondary male characteristics that promote sexual behavior, libido, development and maturing of the penis, body hair, beard growth, deeper voice, aggressiveness, and formation and maturation of sperm. And of course, as any pubescent boy will tell you, increased production of the sebaceous gland and pimples.

As mentioned before, circulatory levels of testosterone also effect HPTA function, so I should not list it as a characteristic unless I also list pretty much every other sexhormone as well.

When discussing the characterstics of testosterone or its androgen cousins and synthetic AAS relatives, it is important to understand the difference between free (or active) testosterone and bound (or inactive) testosterone/AAS (Anabolic/Androgenic Steroids). Bound testosterone is inactive because it is bound to SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) and to a lesser degree, albumin. The sex-steroid molecules are bound by SHBG contained in the blood, which prevents them from fitting into their receptors. That will be explained later. Free (unbound/active) testosterone is able to transmit its characteristics because it fits into receptors. Bound testosterone equals about 97-99% of total testosterone circulation while free testosterone equals 1-3% of total testosterone.
That probably does not sound like much, but even 0.1-0.3 mg of free testosterone has a whole lot of individual separate molecules. And 1 molecule can activate every receptorsite it binds to.

Males have a total testosterone reference range of 225-950 ng/dl (nanograms per decaliter). And a free testosterone reference range for males is 1-3% of the total testosterone reference range. Females have a total testosterone reference range of 14-76 ng/dl and a free testosterone reference range of 0.5-1.8 ng/dl.

Bound testosterone can be unbound due to metabolic requirements and different steroid molecules. And both endogenous and exogenous AAS can react differently to SHBG. For this reason some synthetic AAS can alter the ratio for any other free and/or bound androgenic levels.
*As can prohormones and some minerals such as zinc, copper, and magnesium. Most steroid molecules are specific to their respective cell receptors. This means only testosterone/androgen/AAS molecules can fit into (and transmit their respective message) testosterone/androgen receptor-sites. This is due to shape and size much like a key and a lock: Some keys can fit into other locks, but only the right key can fit in and
activate the mechanism. Steroid molecules travel through the blood stream and lymphatic system. This means that everywhere blood goes, the molecules are sure to follow. Using muscle cells as an example, testosterone molecules circulate until they come into contact with testosterone/androgen receptor-sites on the muscle cell. Then they lock together and they form a complex called (what else?) a steroid / receptor complex. Now the complex travels to the cell nucleus where it can bond to specific sequences on the nucleic acid sections of desoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Here is where a transcription happens and a template of the DNA is created, resulting in messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA). The mRNA exits the cell nucleus and bonds to/with RNA in the liquid part of the cell called the cytoplasm. Here a translation of the message takes place and an increase in protein synthesis occurs. There is a correlating decrease in catabolism as well. This is because testosterone molecules can occupy cortisol receptorsites and block them. Therefore cortisol can not get in to transmit its message. The results are growth! A simple way of looking at this is… you go to someone's house to
deliver a message and their mom relays it exactly so the job gets done."

Surfer

[mywetnightmares]

Originally Posted by SICKOFITALL

Its an injectible steroid, which comes in different forms such as Test Enanthate, Test Cyp, Test Prop etc... Its the base for any steroid cycle.

Usually injectable, but not always. Don't forget about test base trans and andriol.

[iko172202]

Originally Posted by Daniel141

I've been reading around the forum and I've seen a few people comment about test cycles. I'm assuming test is short for testosterone, but what is a test cycle exactly? Is it a product?

Thanks!

Sticky time!!! Read all you can about "test" it will make you or break you. Low test levels suck as well as high test levels must be monitored.

[surferph34]

Bump

I made some changes from my original post.

Surfer

[SICKOFITALL]

Originally Posted by mywetnightmares

Usually injectable, but not always. Don't forget about test base trans and andriol.

True, forgot about that, I was just thinking the most direct and effective method.

[Daniel141]

Originally Posted by surferph34

Found a better, more detailed explaination for you....

Taken from Chemical Muscle Enhancement

"MALE HORMONE SYNTHESIS

Males synthesize androgens at a much higher level than females because they have testicles. Testicles are referred to as "testes" and are located in the scrotum. (Hey, I once received a letter asking how to get "testes" and where do they come from. So stop with the "hey stupid” comments) They also produce androgens through biosynthesis due to enzymatic pathways starting from the adrenal glands which are located near the kidneys. Predominantly, the adrenal glands (there are two) produce epinephrine, which is also called adrenaline, but also produce other hormones commonly referred to as prohormones through a biosynthesis processes and due to conversion enzymes. The lion’s share of a male’s androgens are produced by the Leydig's cells located in the testes. The most active and dominant androgen is testosterone, which is of course the main focus of this discussion.

Testosterone production is governed by the hypothalamus- pituitary -testes -axis referred to hereafter as the "HPTA". The HPTA has a series of checks and balances all influenced by serum (the fluid part of the blood containing the active hormones which circulate through the body) levels of several hormones and pro-hormones. If testosterone production is too low, the testes signal the hypothalamus to release more leutenizing hormone-releasing- hormone (LHRH). The circulating LHRH tells the pituitary to release more leutenizing- hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating-hormone (FSH). When the
circulating FSH and LH reach the testes, they signal the Leydig's cells to produce more sperm and testosterone.

When testosterone levels are too high the testes signal the hypothalamus to release less LHRH…and then "the boy's" production process decreases or stops. It is quite interesting that elevated estrogen levels can signal a production decrease for androgens, such as testosterone, far more significantly than any androgen. Please, read that again to be sure you understand the basic HPTA function. It does relate heavily to the effects and effectiveness of exogenous (occurring outside the body) AAS use by athletes. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT FUNCTION TO PROTECT!

TESTOSTERONE… WHAT DOES IT DO ?

The main androgen focused upon for this discussion is testosterone. But please realize that almost all synthetic AAS are chemical variants of testosterone and therefore much of the characteristics apply to them as well. (But not all!) Testosterone has two distinct characteristics or effects.

First, its anabolic characteristics (tissue building) which express themselves as increased and accelerated muscle tissue build-up which leads to faster recovery time after training, illness, and injuries, and to a quicker "regeneration" (I hate that word!) of the entire body. This is because an anabolic response leads to the promotion of protein synthesis and tissue repair or increase.

Secondly, androgenic characteristics or effects which are commonly referred to as secondary male characteristics that promote sexual behavior, libido, development and maturing of the penis, body hair, beard growth, deeper voice, aggressiveness, and formation and maturation of sperm. And of course, as any pubescent boy will tell you, increased production of the sebaceous gland and pimples.

As mentioned before, circulatory levels of testosterone also effect HPTA function, so I should not list it as a characteristic unless I also list pretty much every other sexhormone as well.

When discussing the characterstics of testosterone or its androgen cousins and synthetic AAS relatives, it is important to understand the difference between free (or active) testosterone and bound (or inactive) testosterone/AAS (Anabolic/Androgenic Steroids). Bound testosterone is inactive because it is bound to SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) and to a lesser degree, albumin. The sex-steroid molecules are bound by SHBG contained in the blood, which prevents them from fitting into their receptors. That will be explained later. Free (unbound/active) testosterone is able to transmit its characteristics because it fits into receptors. Bound testosterone equals about 97-99% of total testosterone circulation while free testosterone equals 1-3% of total testosterone.
That probably does not sound like much, but even 0.1-0.3 mg of free testosterone has a whole lot of individual separate molecules. And 1 molecule can activate every receptorsite it binds to.

Males have a total testosterone reference range of 225-950 ng/dl (nanograms per decaliter). And a free testosterone reference range for males is 1-3% of the total testosterone reference range. Females have a total testosterone reference range of 14-76 ng/dl and a free testosterone reference range of 0.5-1.8 ng/dl.

Bound testosterone can be unbound due to metabolic requirements and different steroid molecules. And both endogenous and exogenous AAS can react differently to SHBG. For this reason some synthetic AAS can alter the ratio for any other free and/or bound androgenic levels.
*As can prohormones and some minerals such as zinc, copper, and magnesium. Most steroid molecules are specific to their respective cell receptors. This means only testosterone/androgen/AAS molecules can fit into (and transmit their respective message) testosterone/androgen receptor-sites. This is due to shape and size much like a key and a lock: Some keys can fit into other locks, but only the right key can fit in and
activate the mechanism. Steroid molecules travel through the blood stream and lymphatic system. This means that everywhere blood goes, the molecules are sure to follow. Using muscle cells as an example, testosterone molecules circulate until they come into contact with testosterone/androgen receptor-sites on the muscle cell. Then they lock together and they form a complex called (what else?) a steroid / receptor complex. Now the complex travels to the cell nucleus where it can bond to specific sequences on the nucleic acid sections of desoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Here is where a transcription happens and a template of the DNA is created, resulting in messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA). The mRNA exits the cell nucleus and bonds to/with RNA in the liquid part of the cell called the cytoplasm. Here a translation of the message takes place and an increase in protein synthesis occurs. There is a correlating decrease in catabolism as well. This is because testosterone molecules can occupy cortisol receptorsites and block them. Therefore cortisol can not get in to transmit its message. The results are growth! A simple way of looking at this is… you go to someone's house to
deliver a message and their mom relays it exactly so the job gets done."

Surfer

Thanks a lot man for the information.

I should have been more clear in my question, I know what testosterone is, I was just confused as to what was being refered to in a "test" cycle.

I mean, I wasn't sure if it was like a test sample cycle, a testosterone injection, or a pill or what. Also wasn't sure if "test" was a name brand for a product. But it's very clear now, thanks everyone! I learned wayyyy more than I was asking for which is a good thing!

- D