Effects of Tenbolone on the Body

Trenbolone is a very popular anabolic steroid with stringent side effects, more so than other anabolic steroids. Since it was first developed, Trenbolone has been regarded as a scary, mythic compound. Many people who read about the drug are scared by what they read. The reason is that people don’t understand Trenbolone side effects and the risks compared to the benefits. What you need to understand is that there are numerous other compounds that are much more mysterious than Trenbolone. Once people understand Trenbolone, it’s not as terrifying as they thought.

Review of Trenbolone Side Effects

Trenbolone has some unique side effects to it. Yes, it does have common side effects as any other anabolic steroid but it has its own one-of-a-kind side effects. Bear in mind that some of the unique Trenbolone side effects have made many people to label it a harsh anabolic steroid. Not everyone will experience them but the majority of folks do get them. The side effects people experience will depend on a number of factors:

• Individual response to compound
• Lifestyle habits
• Personal genetics
• Gender
• Age

What are some of the adverse side effects you may or may not experience with the use of Trenbolone?

Trenbolone Increases Perspiration

Trenbolone has a tendency to reveal its powerful nutrient partitioning effect. This ability is how every single anabolic steroid works, with some showing it more than others. Trenbolone is one of those anabolic steroids. When this happens, a person can experience a rise in their metabolic rate as an unexpected effect. Excessive sweating can happen any time of the day or night and is often seen at night when a person is sleeping. This side effect isn’t anything real serious or life-threatening but can be a real nuisance. Trenbolone users will need to increase their water intake because the excessive sweating can cause dehydration.

Insomnia and Trouble Falling Asleep

Users of Trenbolone and other anabolic steroids often report suffering with insomnia. While the side effect is minor for many anabolic steroids, Trenbolone users tend to have this side effect much more often. In fact, the number of people who have the side effect is mind-blowing. It’s not known why this happens, but it’s believed its components stimulate the body’s nervous system. This causes people to be unable to sleep, feel tired or continuously get restless sleep (tossing and turning) or constantly wake up during the night. Many Trenbolone acetate or enanthate users need some kind of sleep aid to help them get a good night’s rest. Our recommendations for the best Trenbolone stacks and cycle dosages here.

Gynecomastia Caused by Trenbolone Side Effects

Gynecomastia is a very complicated issue that’s not completely understood. How progesterone and estrogen react with each other is a complex issue. Progestins are seen as inhibitors of Prolactin secretion. There is a significant amount of evidence that claim 19-nor compounds like Nandrolone and Trenbolone can cause the body to generate Prolactn from the pituitary gland.

Trenbolone is a Progestin and acts on the Progestin receptors found in the breast tissue. Both Prolactin and Estrogen receptors are also seen in breast tissue and it’s thought that the Estrogen receptor activity will worsen the progesterone receptor sensitivity. Basically, progestins like Trenbolone will make the estrogen receptor to increase the sensitivity of the estrogen levels and raise the possibility of gynecomastia. Even low levels of estrogen will cause the enlargement of gynecomastia.

The amalgamation of Progesterone, Estrogen and Prolactin will produce an intricate network, which is why gynecomastia is an issue. Prolactin’s effect on this medical condition because of Trenbolone will often show itself in one key way: Nipple lactation – fluid that leaks from the nipples, when pressed or squeezed
Men who have high Prolactin levels could experience Trenbolone side effects like erectile dysfunction and anorgasmia, which is the inability to get an orgasm. There are several ways that people can prevent these problems:

• Users could use Prolactin-antagonistб which act like dopamine-receptor agonists that reduce or eliminate prolactin levels.
• Control levels of estrogen by using aromatase inhibitor with compounds that will aromatize like Testosterone or by decreasing testosterone to TRT doses so there is a reduction in aromatization into estrogen.
• Using vitamin B6 to control the levels of prolactin – 600mg on a daily basis.

It’s important to understand that controlling the levels of estrogen go hand in hand in controlling the levels of prolactin being released by the pituitary glands. However, this won’t work for everyone. Some people still suffer with increases in prolactin even if they have low levels of estrogen while they use Trenbolone. This is why everyone needs to use a Prolactin-antagonist.

Does Tren Decrease Libido?

The problem with one’s libido stems from the increase of Prolactin, and for males this can cause a number of issues:

• Nipple lactation
• Reduction in libido
• Erectile dysfunction
• Anorgasmia

Keep in mind that progesterone can keep the production of prolactin from occurring and 19-nors like Trenbolone can suppress levels of prolactin. Now, Trenbolone or Nandrolone are considered a progesterone, rather they are anabolic steroids that show signs of progestogenic activity because of the chemical modifications, which is why it’s possible for the hormones to show signs that is contrary to the parent hormone. It’s important people use testosterone while using trenbolone and have another type of prolactin-antagonistic compounds to control the side effects of prolactin.

Trenbolone Cough

Users can experience very mild to extremely serious coughing fits right after getting an injection. Many people feel the rumor is a myth while others view it as a truth. This side effect comes on because of the needle hitting of the capillaries or vein while it’s being injected. When Trenbolone is being injected, it releases an oil-based structure that goes into the ruptured vein and, finally, the bloodstream. What happens is the body is trying to get rid of the foreign substance – it carries the oil to the lungs that the user then coughs out. Thus, the coughing fit ensues! Keep in mind that any oil-based anabolic steroid will cause this side effect. It’s not known why negative side effects of Trenbolone causes a more serious coughing fit than others, although there are several theories as to why this is (some fairly reasonable to others not so much). The coughing fit can be scary to the person experiencing it but hardly ever a life-threatening condition. The intensity of a coughing fit can be very mild – like a tickle in the throat – to serious – full-blown, intense coughing fit. With the more serious coughing fit, people may experience excessive sweating that will stop once the coughing stops.

Cardiovascular Side Effects

Many Trenbolone users say they have experienced a reduction in their pulmonary and cardiovascular capacity while using trenbolone. However, once the users don’t use the drug any longer, the side effect also goes away. It’s believed the side effect is dose-dependent. Many users who use low levels of Trenbolone may not experience this side effect. People who use a higher dose often experience the side effect. What is happening is a bronchial constriction – it makes it hard for the user to suck in copious amounts of oxygen, especially when working out. Of course, everyone is different, so some people will experience it while others will not. This side effect of Trenbolone is not regarded as a serious life-threatening issue, but exercisers may notice issues while they workout. It’s a temporary condition that asthmatic people should understand about, especially if they have a serious asthma attack.

Irritability and Aggression

Trenbolone is just as powerful as androgen as it is an anabolic, with the androgenic strength being five times testosterone’s strength. It’s got 500 androgenic rating, which can increase a user’s feelings of aggression and irritability. Like the above side effect, this is a dose-dependent side effect. The higher the cycle dosage taken, the more likely chance of suffering with the side effect. Some people may not even have this side effect at all. People who have anger problems or a short temper should be careful when using trenbolone because it can increase these traits. It’s advisable that these people do not use Trenbolone to avoid any possible issues. It’s best that only people who have a stable psychological state should use Trenbolone or else the adverse effects on mood may be worse. And, if persons using the drug notice a change in their behavior, they need to be aware of their actions. It all boils down to personal responsibility when people use anabolic steroids or any kind of drug for that matter.

Stress on Kidneys and Liver

One half-truth, half rumor to Trenbolone use is that there is additional stress put on the liver and kidney. Trenbolone isn’t any different than other injectable compounds when it comes to the additional stress but on the human organs. Trenbolone does put a small bit of strain on the liver because of its struggle to hepatic breakdown and metabolism. However, the toxicity of this is hardly an issue. Still, every person needs to take precautions when it comes to their liver and kidney and anybody who has had problems with these organs are advised not to use trenbolone or other anabolic steroids. The kidney damage rumor is from the fact that the urine turns a darker color with a strong rusty orange color to it. It’s often thought to be a bloody urine, which is why people assume it damages the kidneys. Trenbolone side effects don’t cause damage to the kidneys, but it does change the color because it will oxidize.

Trenbolone and the Liver

Trenbolone does not have C-17-alpha alkylation, the chemical modification needed for permit the anabolic steroid oral bioavailability. The modification can show itself in various hepatotoxicity degrees. Trenbolone doesn’t have this feature, but does have a minute amount of hepatotoxicity. This is due to its chemical structure, causing the Trenbolone to have a higher resistance to hepatic breakdown and metabolism.

This minute amount is not a reason to be concerned, for healthy persons, since the liver toxicity doesn’t reach the levels experienced by oral C17-alpha alkylated anabolic steroids. If a person is suffering with pre-existing liver issues, they need to be aware of the problem. Blood work needs to be done on Trenbolone users to keep an eye on the liver enzymes. A doctor may also prescribe a liver support supplement to avoid side effects of Trenbolone from a cycle and to ensure the liver functions properly.

Safety and Side Effects of Deca Durabolin Abuse

There are many reasons why taking Deca Durabolin is good. It helps to build muscles, increases red blood cells, increases the appetite and improves bone density. It is an anabolic steroid that was first approved by the FDA in 1983 due to the fact that it could treat osteoporosis and anaemia. It was also discovered that it could be a form of birth control. One thing that the body needs to build up muscles is the ability to increase red blood cells, and Deca Durabolin can help to achieve this. Howevere, there are also Deca Durabolin side effects that you must be aware of and consider before you start using this steroid in a cycle. What is the safety record of Deca Durabolin and how can you use it to prevent side effects?

While there are benefits and it is considered one of the safest anabolic steroids, this is certainly not the safest option on the market. There are side effects, and some of them can be extremely bothersome. Some people will experience bladder irritability, acne problems, diarrhea and nausea, excitation and insomnia. However, there are some more serious problems, including atrophy of the testicles, gynecomastia and impotence.

If Deca Durabolin is used incorrectly for a long duration, it can cause men to grow breasts and experience a decreased libido. Men can also suffer from erectile dysfunction if they take this steroid incorrectly. This is due to the fact that DHT is in the penis. All of this can be avoided if you use a testosterone booster with Deca Durabolin. This will boost your level of testosterone. Since testosterone has a high rate of aromatization, Deca Durabolin aromatization is decreased. So it is advised that you use an AI when using Deca Durabolin, which will balance this out for you and stop some side effects.

At the same time, there are studies that show the use is safe and can improve the levels of HDL cholesterol. There are also ways to counter many of the side effects, such as impotence, through the use of testosterone supplements. Many problems occur due to a suppression of the natural testosterone production, so an outside source is required to help this. This can also help combat some of the progestinic problems, including the growth of breast tissue. Taking bromocriptine can be helpful to lower the prolactin levels, but you will also need to take anti-estrogenic drugs like letrozole or fulvestrant.

Progestogenic compounds such as 19-nors increase a particular hormone in the body called prolactin. Excessive prolactin levels in men generate adverse side effects such as erectile dysfunction, lactating nipples, anorgasmia or the inability to achieve orgasm, and the suppression or cessation of endogenous Testosterone production. Progesterone impedesprolactin production, and 19-nors such as Nandrolone and Trenbolone suppress Prolactin levels, since they are categorized as Progestins.

However, Deca Durabolin and Trenbolone are not progesterones, but they are anabolic steroids that demonstrate progestogenic activity. This is due to their chemical alterations that enable these hormones to display activity contrary to the activity of an analogous hormone or parent hormone. Facts reveal that Nandrolone Decanoate and Trenbolone increase prolactin levels in the body

Prolactin antagonist drugs are normally used to control prolactin increases. Nevertheless, prevention of rising estrogen levels present as an effective method as well. There are speculations that estrogen serves as a co-binding factor in the PRLR or prolactin receptor expression. This causes the sensitivity level in individuals to increase in relation to prolactin, even if the levels of prolactin are low in the body. The estrogen receptor is a contributory factor in prolactin concerns.

Therefore, the adverse effects of prolactin are controlled by estrogen levels. The side effects associated with 19-nor compounds, such as Deca Durabolin and Trenbolone, are reported to be more severe when they are used in a high estrogen environment. This is the case when stacking Nandrolone or Trenbolone with excessive aromatizable doses of a compound with the capacity to be aromatizable, such as Testosterone.

The progestogenic characteristic of Nandrolone produces severe suppression and cessation of endogenous natural Testosterone production. Therefore, when using Deca Durabolin in a cycle, the recommendation is for Testosterone to be incorporated to sustain the normal physiological function of Testosterone in an environment that fosters the termination or suppression of natural Testosterone production.

It is possible to use Deca Durabolin without side effects for cutting and bulking cycles. It seems that dosage and diet have a direct effect on whether the cycles will end up seeing positive results. As the steroid is highly anabolic and has few androngenic properties, using a mass cycle with testosterone and something like methandrostenolone or oxymetholone to make it an excellent bulking option. It will need to be used with short-ester options for a cutting cycle, including something like boldenone acetate or testosterone propionate.

Many recommend Deca Durabolin for building muscle strength and mass when taking it in either type of cycle. However, it is important to be careful when taking it as part of a cutting cycle when using it with 19-nor-testosterone options like trenbolone. This is great for building lean muscle and strength while helping with fat loss. It also binds to the progesterone receptor strongly. This can lead to higher HPTA side effects, and lead to needing to buy more drugs to prevent the side effects. It also means a different PCT regime is needed to counter the testosterone suppression.

It is common to be concerned about the damage to the liver when taking steroids. Unlike many other anabolic steroids, Deca Durabolin carries a low toxicity level even though it has a good strength. However, liver damage is still possible so it is important that you keep your eye on symptoms. Avoid using other anabolic steroids without reducing the dose of Deca Durabolin.

There are many potential Deca Durabolin side effects when taking this steroid. Taking a lower dose can help to avoid most of the following problems:

• Pain where injected
• Blood pressure increase
• More acne or rashes
• Libido changes
• Skin and hair become oily
• Nausea
• More fat within the blood

The following side effects are only noted in men:

• Breast and penile enlargement
• Sperm not forming properly
• Erections become painful
• Testicle atrophy
• Impotence

The following side effects are only noted in women:

• Voice changes—may be permanent
• Irregular/absent periods
• Male characteristic development, including facial hair
• Enlargement of the clitoris

These Deca Durabolin side effects do not disappear as soon as you stop taking the anabolic steroid. You need to make sure you follow the safe directions to avoid permanent changes to your body.

GP Clen (clenbuterol) by Geneza Pharmaceuticals

GP Clen is an weight loss drug, its active substance is Clenbuterol. This drug is manufactured by Geneza Pharmaceuticals.

Clenbuterol belongs to the class of drugs classified as sympathomimetics. Sympathomimetic drugs are compounds that mimic or imitate the effects of the hormone epinephrine (adrenaline) and the hormone/neurotransmitter norepinephrine (noradrenaline). Clenbuterol is a popular drug prescribed as a decongestant and bronchodilator and commonly used by sufferers of asthma. However, it is now becoming popular as a dietary supplement endorsed as an effective slimming pill.

GP Clen (clenbuterol) by Geneza Pharmaceuticals is on of the most popular and potent cutting agents available. GP Clen (clenbuterol) by Geneza Pharmaceuticals is known to burn fat with thermogenic properties and also build lean muscle mass. Clenbuterol is a potent, long-lasting bronchodilator that is used in some European countries to treat asthma and related lung disorders. However, the drug is also a potent thermogenic agent and can selectively decrease fat and increase lean muscle mass. This property of GP Clen (clenbuterol) by Geneza Pharmaceuticals has made it a widely abused drug among many individuals. Because of this selective partitioning effect, the drug is widely abused by both amateur and professional athletes around the world.

Many bodybuilders, as well as other athletes, find GP Clen (clenbuterol) by Geneza Pharmaceuticals beneficial because of its thermogenic abilities. As a thermogenic it increases blood pressure, stimulating the heart muscles. This stimulation, in turn, leads to an increase in body temperature. In addition, GP Clen (clenbuterol) by Geneza Pharmaceuticals boosts glycogenolysis, or the breakdown of glycogen. This process results to release of glycogen into the bloodstream (in the form of glucose) and renders the body incapable of storing or using more glycogen. This hikes the rate at which fat and protein are used up in the body for these three essential purposes – energy production, for recycling of their molecular components, or for their excretion. This is how GP Clen (clenbuterol) by Geneza Pharmaceuticals users lose adipose (fat) tissues.

GP Clen (clenbuterol) by Geneza Pharmaceuticals is also particularly appealing to bodybuilders and other athletes because it heightens aerobic capacity. Aerobic means "with oxygen", and refers to the use of oxygen in the body's metabolic or energy-generating process. In simple terms, GP Clen (clenbuterol) by Geneza Pharmaceuticals improves oxygen transportation via increased blood pressure. This makes Clenbuterol a staple of many endurance athletes’ drug protocol.

This drug is also used as an anabolic agent although its anabolism effect remains a contentious issue. In several animal studies, it has exhibited anabolism resulting to muscle gains. However, this has not been observed on human subjects.

The recommended regimen with this drug is to gradually ramp up its dosage. Slowly build up the intake each day until an effective and comfortable range is established. This way, most of the drug’s effects can be avoided, specifically its negative effect on blood pressure. Males typically take 2-8 tablets a day while females take 2 - 4 tablets a day.

The length of time this drug is to be cycled is dependent on the goal of the user. If your objective is to lose fat, GP Clen (clenbuterol) by Geneza Pharmaceuticals highest efficacy is observed when taken in a period of 4 - 6 weeks. During this phase, it is important to monitor temperature increase or decrease.

Remember that as a thermogenic this drug works by elevating the temperature, and thus a decrease or a drop in temperature means its losing its potency. This also signals that you need to break for at least several weeks. Increasing the dosage or prolonging the intake will prove to be ineffective and a total waste of money since the decreased efficacy may mean that the body is growing immune or resistant to its effects.

To heighten its fat-burning ability, many stack GP Clen (clenbuterol) by Geneza Pharmaceuticals with other drugs such as the thyroid hormone Cytomel. This stack is great during contest preparation or cutting cycle when bodybuilders need to get rid of undesirable fat without sacrificing caloric intake.

GP Clen (clenbuterol) by Geneza Pharmaceuticals is also typically stacked with non-aromatizing anabolic steroids, those that do not cause water retention. This stack regimen induces the so-called synergistic effect of drugs.

GP Clen (clenbuterol) by Geneza Pharmaceuticals dosage is dependent on body weight and can be optimized by measuring the body temperature. Athletes usually take 5 - 7 tablets, 100 - 140 mcg per day. For women 80 - 100 mcg/day is usually sufficient. It is advisable to begin GP Clen (clenbuterol) by Geneza Pharmaceuticals by taking only one tablet on the first day and then increasing the dosage by one tablet each of the following days until the desired maximum dosage is reached. The compound is usually taken over a period of 8 - 10 weeks.

Possible side effects of GP Clen (clenbuterol) by Geneza Pharmaceuticals include restlessness, palpitations, tremor (involuntary trembling of fingers), headache, increased perspiration, insomnia, muscle spasms, increased blood pressure, and nausea. Individuals who have been diagnosed of cardio-vascular problems should not take GP Clen (clenbuterol) by Geneza Pharmaceuticals. 

Men living with HIV have a lower risk of prostate cancer

Incidence of prostate cancer is significantly lower among men living with HIV, investigators from California report.

“We found a 27% reduced risk of prostate cancer among HIV-positive men after adjustment,” comment the authors. “HIV-positive men were more likely to be tested and were diagnosed with lower-stage cancers and lower PSA [prostate specific antigen].”

Thanks to antiretroviral therapy, an ever-increasing proportion of people with HIV are now living into older age. The diseases of ageing are therefore an increasingly important cause of illness among people living with HIV. For instance, diagnoses of prostate cancer increased fivefold among men living with HIV in the US between 1991 and 2005. Despite this, infection with HIV has been associated with a 20 to 25% reduction in the risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer. It has been suggested that this is due to lower screening rates.

Investigators from Kaiser Permanente in California wanted to see if infection with HIV really was associated with a reduced risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer and if this could be attributed to lower levels of PSA screening.

They therefore designed a case-controlled study matching each HIV-positive participant with ten HIV-negative controls who entered care in the same year, were of a similar age and were receiving care at the same centre.

Incidence of prostate cancer was compared between the HIV-positive and HIV-negative men, adjusting for potential confounders such as age, race, smoking, drug or alcohol use, diabetes and testosterone levels.

Data were also collected on rates of PSA screening for men enrolled in Northern California.

Study participants entered care after 1996 (Southern California) or 2000 (Northern California). The study population included 17,424 HIV-positive and 182,799 HIV-negative men. They were followed for a mean of 4.2 and 5.0 person-years/subjects, respectively. The groups were of similar age. However, the men living with HIV were more likely than the HIV-negative men to be white and to report a history of smoking (39 vs 23%), alcohol abuse (12 vs 7%), drug abuse (15 vs 4%) and testosterone deficiency (13 vs 1%). Prevalence of diabetes and obesity did not differ by HIV status.

Almost two-thirds of HIV-positive men (62%) were in the men who have sex with men (MSM) risk group. Only 42% of the men living with HIV were taking antiretroviral therapy at the time they entered the study. By the end of follow-up, 76% were taking HIV treatment, mean CD4 count was 466 cells/mm3 and 61% had a viral load below 500 copies/ml.

Prostate cancer was diagnosed in 74 HIV-positive and 1195 HIV-negative men. Differences according to HIV status were observed. Men living with HIV were more likely to be diagnosed with less advanced cancers (state II, 95 vs 89%; stage III-IV, 5 vs 11%) and to have localised (93 vs 83%) rather than regional/distal (3 vs 14%) cancers. Recent PSA levels were lower among men living with HIV (10 vs 17).

Overall incidence of prostate cancer was 102/100,000 person-years for men living with HIV compared to 131 per 100,000 person-years for HIV-negative men. After controlling for potential confounders, men living with HIV had a 27% reduction in the risk of prostate cancer (RR = 0.73; 95% CI, 0.57-0.92). The association between HIV infection and a reduced risk of prostate cancer was strongest for more advanced cancers (stage III/IV, RR = 0.28; 95% CI, 0.009-0.90; regional/distal cancers, RR = 0.28; 95% CI, 0.11-0.68). However, men living with HIV also had a reduced risk of less severe forms of cancer (stage II, RR = 0.77; 95% CI, 0.60-1.01; localised cancers, RR = 0.81; 95% CI, 0.63-1.05).

These differences could not be explained by lower levels of screening among men living with HIV. In fact, a higher proportion of HIV-positive than HIV-negative men had undergone PSA screening by the age of 55 (91 vs 86%, p < 0.001).

The investigators restricted their analysis to the sub-set of men in Northern California who had PSA testing. After adjustment, men living with HIV had a significantly reduced risk of prostate cancer (RR = 0.55; 95% CI, 0.39-0.80).

“Our results suggest that the observed lower incidence of prostate caner among HIV-positive men…is attributable to factors other than differences in PSA screening,” comment the investigators.

No HIV-related characteristics were associated with prostate cancer risk. For both HIV-positive and HIV-negative men, risk of the cancer increased with age (p < 0.001) and was also associated with black vs white ethnicity.

The investigators call for further research to investigate why men living with HIV have a lower risk of prostate cancer.

Sustanon 250

Sustanon 250, a strong anabolic with pronounced androgenic activity, is considered by many as one of the most powerful combinations of testosterone.

Originally developed by the international drug firm Organon as an alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), this anabolic androgenic steroid contains four different testosterone esters: Testosterone propionate (30 mg), testosterone phenylpropionate (60 mg), testosterone isocaproate (60mg), and testosterone decanoate (100 mg) that stimulate a fast yet extended release of testosterone.

Sustanon 250 has the chemical name of 17ß-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one and can be detected over a period of 2-3 months. This steroid has an active life of nearly 2-3 weeks and the molecular formula of Sustanon 250 is C19H28O2.

Sustanon 250 is one of the most commonly recommended drugs for the development and maintenance of reproductive tissues such as the prostate, epididymis, seminal vesicles, testes, and penis even at low doses. Sustanon 250 also has the ability to prevent degeneration of existing muscles in wasting diseases and is prescribed to individuals diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Sustanon 250 can easily promote muscle function, muscle size, body strength, and nitrogen retention gains and also has the potential to improve plasma concentrations of Testosterone, Dihydrotestosterone, Oestradiol (estrogen hormone), and Androstenedione. Most athletes and bodybuilders use this steroid to experience improvements in the level of sexual function, such as libido and erectile function and reduction in the levels of serum LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglycerides.

When used as per medical advice, Sustanon 250 can even stimulate improvements in levels of hemoglobin and Hematocrit without resulting in any clinically relevant changes in liver enzymes and PSA. Sustanon 250 is commonly used by athletes as a bulking drug that leads to exceptional strength and muscle mass gains. Sustanon 250 does convert to estrogen but it is slightly more tolerable than testosterone cypionate or enanthate. This is primarily because blood levels of testosterone build slowly with the use of this steroid and it means that side effects do not happen fast.

Testosterone Cypionate - still the best possible mass builder in the world.

Testosterone is the prime male androgen in the body, and as such still the best possible mass builder in the world. It has a high risk of side-effects because it readily converts to a more androgenic form (DHT) in androgen responsive tissues and forms estrogen quite easily. But these characteristics also provide it with its extreme anabolic tendencies. On the one hand estrogen increases growth hormone output, glucose utilization, improves immunity and upgrades the androgen receptor, while on the other hand a testosterone/DHT combination is extremely potent at activating the androgen receptor and eliciting major strength and size gains. While not always the most visually appealing result, there is no steroid on earth that packs on mass like testosterone does.

Testosterone Cypionate is a single-ester, long-acting form of testosterone. Due to the length of its ester (8 carbons) it is stored mostly in the adipose tissue upon intra-musuclar injection, and then slowly but very steadily released over a certain period of time. A peak is noted after 24-48 hours of injection and then a slow decline, reaching a steady point after 12 days and staying there for over 3 weeks time. Of course most users of anabolics will not find adequate benefit in the use of this steady-point dose, so Testosterone Cypionate is normally injected once a week, making the very lowest dose higher than half the peak dose at any given time. This is roughly the starting blood level as well. A long-acting testosterone ester is a must-have in any mass-building cycle. As such Testosterone Cypionate is a very decent product.

Personally I have more affinity for Testosterone Enanthate, but few users will note any real difference between the two products, and both remain a better buy than their popular counterpart sustanon 250, which is a poor choice of testosterone in my opinion. It makes sense that a user simply opts for which one is most readily available at the time. They sell for roughly the same price, and are almost equally good. So most North and South-American users will usually opt for the use of a cypionate, as it is more available in those regions, whereas Europeans and Asians will probably prefer the enanthate version.

A long-acting testosterone ester may be the best for all your mass-building needs, but its not an easy product to use. Because of the extreme length of action (3-4 weeks) one cannot easily solve occurring problems by simply discontinuing the product, as it will continue to act and aggravate side-effects over extended periods of time. In regards to damage control and post-cycle therapy, some familiarity with the use of ancillary drugs is required prior to using a long-acting testosterone product. Nolvadex and Proviron will come in very handy in such cases and post-cycle HCG and clomid or Nolvadex will be required as well to help restore natural testosterone. Frequency of side-effects is probably highest with this type of product.

While most will tell you it's a waste to not use testosterone, as it will take ages longer to build proper mass, these are all points to take into consideration. Testosterone is a product that is heavily used by beginners and veterans alike and justly so. Those who fear they may never understand the proper use of ancillary drugs, may want to suck it up and invest in some propionate or suspension testosterones instead. These are much shorter acting and easier to control, but they do need to be injected once every two days, whereas this type of ester will impart great gains with a single weekly injection. Something to keep in mind.

Testosterone is the most powerful compound there is, so obviously its perfectly fine to use it by itself. With a long-acting ester like Testosterone Cypionate doses of 500-1000 mg per week are used with very clear results over a 10 week period. If you've ever seen a man swell up with sheer size, then testosterone was the cause of it. But testosterone is nonetheless often stacked. Due to the high occurrence of side-effects, people will usually split up a stack in testosterone and a milder component in order to obtain a less risky cycle, but without having to give up as much of the gains. Primobolan, Equipoise and Deca-Durabolin are the weapons of choice in this matter. Deca seems to be the most popular, probably because of its extremely mild androgenic nature. But Deca being one of the highest risks for just about every other side-effects, I probably wouldn't advise it. If Deca is used, generally a dose of 200-400 mg is added to 500-750 mg of testosterone per week.

Primobolan is sometimes opted for, and can be handy since it doesn't aromatize, which will make the total level of water retention and fat gain a lot less than with more test or with Deca for example. Unfortunately, its mild nature combined with a lack of estrogen make Primobolan a very poor mass builder. Again, doses of 300-400 mg are used. I would actually suggest a higher dose, but with the current prices for Primo I don't think it would be very popular. My personal preference goes out to Equipoise. Androgenically its not that much stronger than Deca because it has next to no affinity for the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme and is only half as androgenic as testosterone. Its twice as strong as Deca, mg for mg, and has a lower occurrence of side-effects. It has some estrogen, but not a whole lot so it actually tends to lean a person out rather than bloat him up as Deca will. It also increases appetite, which promotes gains, and improves aerobic performance, which may be wishful as testosterone normally has an opposite effect.

Of course Testosterone Cypionate can be stacked with any number of compounds apart from these, but these make the best match. When stacking with testosterone, one needs to look at what the other compound can bring. Either it has a characteristic that testosterone doesn't have, or its nominally safer. The testosterone will bring all the mass, so adding another steroid to enhance mass alone, is futile. More testosterone is the best remedy for that.

One needs to be familiar with a host of other compounds when using long-acting testosterone esters however. First of all, anti-estrogens. The rate of aromatization of testosterone is quite great, so water retention and fat gain are a fact and gyno is never far off. If problems occur one is best to start on 20 mg of Nolvadex per day and stay on that until problems subside. I wouldn't stay on it for a whole cycle, as it may reduce the gains. In terms of an aromatase blocker, testosterone is one of the few compounds where Proviron may actually be preferred over arimidex. The proviron will not only reduce estrogen and can be used for extended time on a testosterone cycle, it will also bind with great affinity to sex-hormone binding proteins in the blood and will allow for a higher level of free testosterone in the body, thus improving gains.

Usually 50-100 mg will suffice, the lower end is preferred for maximal results since estrogen plays a key role in gains, but those more worried about estrogen should opt for a higher dose. For those worried about androgenic side-effects (hair loss, prostate hypertrophy, deepening of voice), one can utilize the hair loss treatment finasteride. This blocks the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme and stops the conversion of testosterone to the more androgenic compound DHT. I'm not a big fan of this, because DHT reduces estrogenic bloat, increases free levels of testosterone and is a very potent androgen that is 3-4 times stronger than testosterone. Those worried about hair loss however, may want to opt for arimidex as their anti-aromatase, since Proviron is a form of DHT after all. After a cycle, mainly due to the high aromatization and increased levels of estradiol in the blood after discontinuing, natural testosterone levels will be severely suppressed. This means steps need to be taken to assure the quick return of natural testosterone, or we stand to lose a lot of the gains we made while using testosterone. Since it's a non-toxic, potent mass-builder its mostly used in long 10-12 week cycles. So some testicular shrinkage will have occurred too. Its very important that people see that HCG and Nolvadex/clomid are essential as a post-cycle therapy, and that both are equally important in achieving our goal. HCG injections should be started the last week of the cycle and continued for 3-4 weeks, using 1500-3000 IU every 5-6 days. HCG will act as an alternative to LH and start the endogenous testosterone cycle, thereby increasing testicle size once again. Then about 2 weeks after the last shot of testosterone is given, Nolvadex/Clomid cycle should be started. 40 mg of Nolva or 150 mg of Clomid per day for two weeks, followed by two more weeks with either 20 mg of Nolva or 100 mg of Clomid per day should be adequate. Always remember that HCG is suppressive of natural testosterone itself and should be discontinued at least 2 weeks prior to finishing Nolvadex/Clomid.

Oxymetholone reduces wasting among HIV patients.

Oxymetholone, an anabolic steroid, appears to be effective in countering wasting among HIV-positive patients taking highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

This finding results from a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial at the University of Essen, and the University of Bonn, Germany. Eighty-nine HIV-positive women and men participated.

Chronic involuntary weight loss is a serious problem among patients on HAART. The alterations in energy metabolism and endocrine regulation cause loss of lean body mass (LBM) and body cell mass (BCM).

There has been partial restoration of LBM in studies among HIV-positive men undergoing androgen replacement therapy, or treatment with recombinant growth hormone. However, these treatments have largely been ineffective among eugonadal individuals.

In the present study, the men and women with wasting were given Oxymetholone 50 mg twice (BID), or three times daily (TID), or placebo for 16 weeks, followed by open-label treatment. Endpoints were body weight, bioimpedance measurements, and appetite.

The clinicians found that Oxymetholone produced a significant weight gain of 3.0 ± 0.5 kg in the TID group, and 3.5 ± 0.7 kg in the BID group, while patients in the placebo group gained an average of 1.0 ± 0.7 kg. Body cell mass increased 3.8 ± 0.4 kg in the BID group and 2.1 ± 0.6 kg in the TID group. This corresponded to 12.4T and 7.4% of baseline BCM, respectively.

The patients taking Oxymetholone reported significant improvements in their appetite and food consumption, plus a reduction in feeling weak. The most important adverse event was liver-associated toxicity.

Overall, 35% of patients in the TID, 27% of patients in the BID Oxymetholone group, and no patients in the placebo group, had a greater than five times baseline increase for alanine aminotransferase during the double-blind phase of the study.

Clinicians concluded that “the BID (100 mg/day) regimen appeared to be equally effective as the TID (150 mg/day) regimen in terms of weight gain, LBM and BCM and was associated with less, but still significant liver toxicity.”

Human growth hormone and HIV/AIDS

Human growth hormone (HGH) is a natural hormone produced in the pituitary gland, which promotes normal growth and development in the body. It activates protein production in muscle cells and the release of energy from fats. It is typically used to stimulate growth in children with hormone deficiency, or to treat people with severe illnesses, burns or infection where destruction of human tissue and muscle occurs.

A genetically engineered or ‘recombinant’ version of HGH has been produced (rHGH). Test tube experiments have shown that it can stimulate immune cells such as natural killer (NK) cells, which are related to tumour control and T-cells. rHGH is also known as somatrem or somatotropin. One form of HGH is made by Serono under the brand name Serostim, although other forms are made by other manufacturers. It is given as an injection under the skin.

rHGH is a licensed treatment that can be prescribed on the National Health Service for children with short stature as a result of growth hormone deficiency. However, it is not licensed for prescribing to people with HIV in Europe. rHGH is also very expensive to produce, casting doubt on the feasibility of its introduction into routine HIV care.

There has been some concern that the use of human growth hormone in people with HIV would stimulate viral replication and lead to increased viral load. However, recent evidence suggests that individuals who add growth hormone to their anti-HIV combination are likely to experience a small drop in viral load.

In HIV disease, HGH is best known as a treatment for HIV-related wasting, although it is not an approved treatment for this condition in Europe. High doses of HGH have been found to increase weight and lean body mass in people with AIDS wasting.  An increase in lean body mass is thought to be important in HIV disease because the loss of lean body mass is the form of wasting most closely related to an increased risk of death.

In August 1996, HGH was granted accelerated approval in the United States for the treatment of AIDS wasting. Studies of up to twelve weeks in duration have found that the drug may stabilise weight or reverse weight loss in people with HIV, although no improvements in survival were seen. The long-term safety and tolerability of HGH are unknown. In the European Union, HGH has been granted orphan drug status for the treatment of AIDS wasting, which means that Serono will have exclusive rights to market the product for this purpose in Europe, even though other companies also have their own versions of the treatment.

In a recent meta-analysis of treatments for wasting, rHGH was found to have similar efficacy to the other two major treatments, testosterone and anabolic steroids, with all three showing a significant benefit over placebo. However, rHGH may have advantages in terms of increasing muscle function and quality of life.

Clinical studies, including two randomised trials, have confirmed that HGH can reduce abdominal fat and increase muscle mass in people taking anti-HIV treatment. These improvements in body composition are paralleled by increases oxygen uptake, the ability to carry out moderate physical exercise, and the capacity for high-intensity exercise.

Reductions in ‘buffalo hump’ and breast size have also been reported, although breast development in men has been noted as a side-effect of rHGH. Improvements may reverse on stopping rHGH and may be more likely among individuals with mild body fat abnormalities.

The benefits of rHGH seem to be limited to boosting muscle and decreasing fat accumulation. It has no effect on fat loss in the face and limbs.

In addition to its possible beneficial effects on wasting and fat redistribution, recent studies have suggested that rHGH may improve CD4 cell counts in patients on antiretroviral therapy. In one randomised study addition of 1.5mg rHGH daily to antiretroviral therapy for 48 weeks increased CD4 cell counts by a median of 55 cells/mm3, while a shorter course of 3mg daily for 24 weeks improved CD4 cell counts by the same amount. Around half of this increase was in naive CD4 T-cells and it was coupled with an increase in the size and function of the thymus gland, the organ under the breastbone that produces new naive T-cells.

Further research is needed to establish whether these effects are paralleled by an improved ability to fight infection.

Side-effects of HGH can include headache, muscle pain, joint pain, salt and water retention and rare instances of carpal tunnel syndrome (pain or tingling in the first three or four fingers of the hand). Children treated with the drug over the long term develop antibodies to it, but these do not seem to have any harmful effects.

A large-scale study of rHGH in people with AIDS wasting identified several serious side-effects which were thought to be associated with rHGH. These included skin cancers, gastrointestinal bleeding, inflammation of the arteries, and breast development in men. Elevated triglycerides and the development of diabetes have also been reported among individuals taking rHGH with antiretroviral therapy-related body fat changes. In a randomised study of several HGH doses to treat AIDS wasting, glucose levels rose modestly in 28% of patients receiving a daily dose and 18% of patients receiving doses on alternate days. There was one case of new onset diabetes and two cases of hyperglycaemia amongst the 646 patients who received HGH for up to 24 weeks.

The Effects of Oxandralone on Body Weight and Composition in Patients with HIV-Associated Weight Loss

A variety of anabolic steroids are in use to help counteract the severe loss of body weight that effects many patients with advanced HIV disease. Studies have previously shown that HIV-related wasting causes the destruction of body cell mass (or BCM: active muscle and tissue) while leaving fat stores relatively untouched, so treatments that preserve or help regain healthy, active body tissue are obviously important.

This open-label observational study enrolled 572 patients (527 men and 45 women) with a mean age of 40 years and a mean baseline weight of 68.1 kilograms. Patients were on stable antiretroviral regimens, had documented weight loss, and had no active opportunistic infections or cancers. All patients were treated daily with 20 mg of oxandrolone, an anabolic steroid in pill form. Study visits were scheduled after 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 months. At each visit, patients were weighed, asked to assess their appetite, sense of well-being, and energy levels, and underwent bioelectric impedance assay (BIA) analysis. BIA measures body cell mass, amount of water in the body, and fat vs. muscle ratio.

Only 26 of the 572 patients had completed the full year-long study before Geneva, but their results, and the interim results from other the patients, were promising. Among the first 26, mean increases in total body weight (and body cell mass, listed in parentheses) were as follows:

• Month 1 2.4 kg total (1.4 kg of which was BCM)
• Month 2 2.8 kg (1.5 kg)
• Month 4 4.4 kg (2.1 kg)
• Month 8 5.4 kg (3.1 kg)
• Month 12 6.1 kg (3.5 kg) 

Patients' self-assessment also improved, with increased appetite and sense of well-being, and oxandralone was generally well-tolerated, with fewer than one percent of patients experiencing liver function test abnormalities, a side effect associated with anabolic steroids. Most side effects were managed with dose reductions. 

Anabolic steroids help AIDS patients

My hope is by sharing my story (which I’ve told to only a few friends) you also might be encouraged to document and share your own story about AIDS. It is our stories that are the heart and soul of the history of AIDS.  None should be forgotten. Ever.

It was in 1988 that a friend of mine introduced me to Dr. Walter Jekot, an HIV doctor practicing in Los Angeles. Dr. Jekot knew I was semi-retired at 24 and asked if I’d consult with him to help market his sports medicine practice in West Hollywood. The bulk of his patients were gay men, mostly bodybuilders and a few athletes. Why not, I thought. Partying every night was starting to get kind of boring anyway.

One Saturday afternoon, a couple of months into working with Dr. Jekot, two men wearing suits came into his office and closed the door. They stayed for more than three hours. After they left, I went in to ask Dr. Jekot what was going on. As I asked my first question, he just looked up and stared at me. He was ghost white. “What’s wrong,” I asked. “Sit down, Dave,” he replied. “There is something I have to tell you.”

He said the men were his attorneys. “I am being prosecuted by the federal government for what they say is the illegal distribution of anabolic steroids and growth hormone,” he explained. Then he told me his story.

After the 1988 Olympics in Los Angeles, scandal hit the sports world. Ben Johnson, a Canadian sprinter and gold medal winner that year, was to appear at a court hearing that would be broadcast live around the world. The government wanted to find out if Johnson could be prosecuted for cheating because he allegedly took anabolic steroids during the 1988 Olympic Games. During the trial, Johnson’s doctor said that Dr. Jekot had dispensed anabolic steroids to the U.S. Olympic athletes during the same Olympic Games.

Within 15 minutes every news agency in the world was beating down Dr. Jekot’s door, trying to get a comment, demanding an interview. A week later, the assistant attorney general of the United States announced on live television that the Department of Justice was going after Dr. Jekot with every legal resource available to the federal government.

I sat there stunned. I felt betrayed. I got up and started to leave, but he blocked the door. “Wait,” he asked.  “There is something else.”

First, he apologized for not telling me sooner. He said he was scared and didn’t know whom he could trust, including his own attorneys. “Did you do it,” I asked. When he said no, I sat down again.

He wanted to tell me something, he said, about a discovery he made, but I had to promise not to tell anyone else. I declined.  He told me anyway:  “I have discovered that anabolic steroids and growth hormones can help AIDS patients by reversing the wasting process.”

Wasting is the involuntary loss of body weight the entire gay community had seen time and again.

Having a sports management background, I had spent years warning our athletes about the ills of steroids. I was skeptical. In fact, I didn’t believe him. Why should I?  But some strange force kept me in that chair listening. I wanted to know more about the discovery that might help AIDS patients.

A month later I asked for and received written permission to have access to the medical records of 13 AIDS patients who were being treated with anabolic steroids or growth hormones for AIDS-related wasting. I also asked to be permitted to interview each patient. All agreed.

It was 1989. After sitting down with each of the 13 patients, I became convinced anabolic steroid treatments worked. I had no idea why or how, but something was keeping these patients alive. They had energy and looked healthy and fit.

Thus began my quest to have the most unpopular and denounced drug in the world become accepted as the therapy to reverse wasting syndrome and bring people back to life. I believe this was, in fact, the first Lazarus Effect treatment. Within three years, anabolic steroids became standard treatment to reverse AIDS-related wasting.

For some, steroid use builds hope

A few years after his HIV diagnosis, Nelson Vergel began wasting away. No matter how much he ate, no matter how many protein shakes he added to his diet, no matter how much iron he pumped, the chemical engineer could not regain 25 pounds the virus had stripped from his 5-foot-7 frame. He watched as dozens of HIV-infected friends progressively lost body fat and muscle, and, ultimately, their lives. "Either I have to do something," Vergel thought, "or I'll be the next one." Then he found anabolic steroids.

For more than a decade, Vergel has been among the chronically ill patients who take anabolic steroids - legally - for the same fundamental reason some athletes use them on the sly: to build up their bodies. A storm of attention has been paid of late to illicit use of steroids among athletes, who forever want to run faster and hit balls farther. But at the same time, a quiet movement is under way to discover what legitimate role the drugs can play in mainstream medicine.

For years, doctors have prescribed anabolic steroids for those with HIV or AIDS, kidney disease, cancer and other illnesses that cause malnutrition or muscle wasting that can leave patients dangerously thin. And, although the long-term side effects of anabolics aren't fully known, even at low doses, some physicians see definite therapeutic benefits.

"Not only do they help rebuild muscle, they make you feel better," said Dr. Bruce Rashbaum, a Washington internist who has prescribed anabolic steroids to HIV and AIDS patients for 15 years. "It's not as if these patients are going to become Hercules, because they aren't going to be."

Not all doctors think the benefits of prescribing anabolic steroids for chronic conditions outweigh the potential risks, however. What's more, they say, simply adding muscle to a frail body isn't necessarily going to help someone who is dying from a disease anyway. But given the difficulty physicians have had in helping severely malnourished people gain lean muscle tissue -- as opposed to fat - scientists are continuing to study whether steroids might be among the answers.

Said Rashbaum: "Everyone has this notion that these drugs are taboo, and they don't even entertain the idea of learning about it. I really think in the short and long run the benefit certainly outweighs the risk for those patients that really need them."

In 1999, Dr. Kirsten L. Johansen, director of dialysis at the San Francisco VA Medical Center, led a study of 29 patients with kidney failure. Over six months, they were either injected with an anabolic steroid or given a dummy pill. Those in the drug group gained an average of nearly six pounds more in lean body mass - and reported less fatigue - than those taking the placebo. Johansen has been following up on that research to determine whether the patients' boost in weight was attributable to muscle and whether it translated into better physical function and quality of life.

"We know that people who lose muscle mass tend to die sooner," she said. "But what we really don't know is: If we build muscle mass, are we helping them? These patients are really debilitated. For some of them, that's just such an issue that they really might benefit from this."

Anabolic steroids date to the 1930s, when scientists created a synthetic form of the male hormone Testosterone. They were targeting hypogonadism, a condition in which the testes don't produce enough testosterone for normal growth and sexual function. Soon, researchers discovered that the drug aided the growth of skeletal muscle, too.

But not without a price: Anabolic steroids have been linked to side effects ranging from acne and aggression to cardiovascular disease and liver cancer. This type of steroid, which differs chemically from the corticosteroids commonly used to treat inflammation - is available legally in the United States only by prescription. And athletes typically take doses considerably higher than those prescribed for medical purposes.

Dr. Marc K. Hellerstein, professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, said modest doses of anabolics, combined with weight training -- if patients are well enough to exercise - yield the best result.

He has used that approach for patients with HIV and AIDS. In a 1999 study he led, 22 men lifted weights and received testosterone by injection. Half also took an oral anabolic steroid.
Both groups increased their lean body mass, weight and strength. But those in the steroid group had significantly larger gains. "It was not just cosmetic; this was useful muscle," Hellerstein said. Even at low doses, anabolic steroids can have unpleasant or dangerous side effects, including liver damage and prostate cancer, and doctors who prescribe them have to monitor their patients closely.

In Hellerstein's study, those side effects included a drop in HDL (the "good" cholesterol), as well as irritability and overly aggressive behavior. In general, some patients don't like steroids because the drugs can cause sleep problems or make them more likely to pick fights with their partners. But others thrive on them.

Dr. Adrian S. Dobs, an endocrinologist at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, said she believes there's a limited role for anabolics in medicine, including with HIV and AIDS patients. But in other cases, she says, the long-term risks - which are still unknown - might be too great. "I just don't think there's good data to say it's really worth doing, with the exception of a few disease states," she said. "Increasing muscle mass per se is not a benefit. ... Are you doing any good? What's going on with the underlying disease?"

Vergel, who has been taking anabolic steroids since 1994, credits them with helping him through a difficult period before the advent of effective antiviral treatments that helped reduce chronic wasting. During his first four months injecting anabolics, Vergel put on 35 pounds, enough to push him up to 175, more than he weighed when he was healthy. The 46-year-old, who lives in Houston, kept up with the drug regimen and saw his white blood cell count climb. His energy and appetite improved. "I was looking great," he said. "For the first time, I was looking like I was not HIV-positive. I just felt like a superman. I just thought, 'Maybe I'll survive.'"

Vergel, who still takes a regular course of anti-HIV drugs, weighs 190 pounds and looks like a bodybuilder, founded a nonprofit group called PoWeR - Program for Wellness Restoration.

He eventually left his job and wrote a book outlining a health plan for HIV-positive people based on steroids, exercise and nutrition. Anabolics, he says, are only a part of the equation.
A doctor supervises his use of the drugs, regularly checking for changes in liver function and blood pressure and screening for prostate cancer. "When you're sick, the risk-to-benefit ratio changes in your mind,"

Vergel said. "I have no doubt that my quality of life and my life have been extended."

Steroid Can Restore Body Tissue in HIV-Positive People

The oral anabolic steroid Oxandrolone is effective in restoring muscle and fat tissue that many HIV-positive people lose, according to a  new study.  HIV-related wasting is a complication in which people lose a significant percentage of their normal weight, leaving them at risk for secondary infections.

Carl Grunfeld of the University of California-San Francisco and colleagues gave 262 HIV-positive men who had experienced weight loss greater than or equal to 10% to 20% of their body mass index either oxandrolone - in doses of 20 mg, 40 mg or 80 mg - or a placebo daily for 12 weeks. The men who took the steroid in all dose levels had gained weight and muscle tissue, researchers found.

The steroid also produced side effects, including an increase in LDL cholesterol, which is considered unhealthy cholesterol, and a decrease in HDL cholesterol, which is considered healthy cholesterol, the study finds. Some of the men also showed signs of liver toxicity, according to the study. Current therapies for tissue loss, including nutritional supplements and a drug called megestrol acetate, mostly increase body fat, and growth hormone therapies, which also can treat tissue wasting, increase muscle mass but decrease fat stores.

Anabolic steroids like oxandrolone restore both tissue and fat, Grunfeld said, adding that the benefits must be weighed against the side effects. Grunfeld also said that although oxandrolone is not specifically approved for HIV-related wasting, physicians may prescribe it to treat the condition