Natural And Synthetic Testosterone

Testosterone occupies a special place among anabolic steroids. It is a synthetic analogue of primary natural steroid, which has the same structure as male sex hormone testosterone, and it was identified as early as 1935. Experiments with testosterone were made in 40s and 50s and there are grounds for believing that many sportsmen used it.  

Today testosterone effects are thoroughly studied. It gives frank anabolic effects which means increase of muscle mass. Testosterone also acts over nervous system relieving from fatigue and increasing common tonus and disposition. Bodybuilder may observe these effects after several injections containing 50mg testosterone in form of organic acid, for example, propionic acid. There are injections with very big dose of testosterone of 250mg.

Last years has appeared testosterone in form of tablets 20 - 50mg. Probably this is the only anabolic steroid which is used just before start. Side effects from long testosterone administration are well known: it systematically nhibits production of male natural testosterone. In women hair starts growing on face, and their voice becomes rough. 

Testosterone at first sight is a very simple drug, however, it remains one of most difficult problems in anti-doping control. The problem of reliable determination of testosterone as doping always existed and even today it is not solved yet.  

Natural testosterone circulates in the blood, actively matabolizes turning into 17-keto-metabolites such as androsterone and its derivatives. These metabolites are washed away with urine that is used for making anti-doping tests. In urine remains less testosterone. Practically, little or nothing of it. Synthetical testosterone also is involved into intensive metabolism and as a result it also disappears from the body.