Anabolic steroids are, for all intents and purposes, considered testosterone.
While the mainstream media and government often portray anabolic steroids as strange and dangerous chemicals, they are in fact organic compounds naturally produced in the human body.
The foundation of all anabolic steroids is testosterone, and most anabolic steroids are created by modifying testosterone.
Without testosterone, no other anabolic steroids could exist.
Besides testosterone, there are also endogenous anabolic steroids like Nandrolone and Dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Both Nandrolone and Dihydrotestosterone are natural byproducts of testosterone.
Nandrolone is a minor byproduct created when testosterone converts to estrogen.
Dihydrotestosterone is a metabolite formed when testosterone is directly converted by the 5-alpha reductase (5AR) enzyme.
Since neither of these could exist without testosterone, they are informally considered testosterone steroids.
The synthetic derivatives of testosterone are testosterone modifications created in a lab, not synthesized naturally.
For example, Dianabol (Methandrostenolone), Equipoise (Boldenone), and Anavar (Oxandrolone) are synthetic steroids derived from testosterone. While they can be informally considered testosterone steroids, they are more accurately classified as synthetic anabolic steroid derivatives.
Modifications of Testosterone Steroids
Testosterone was first discovered, isolated, and synthesized in the 1930s by Adolf Butenandt and his colleagues in Germany.
Soon after, Nandrolone and Dihydrotestosterone were also quickly discovered.
By the late 1950s, synthetic derivatives began to emerge.
The initial discovery of testosterone sparked immense curiosity in the medical and scientific communities.
At that time, the full potential and limitations of this compound were unknown, and scientists studied its properties and functions by applying it in the medical field.
During the 1930s and 1940s, research on testosterone was in its infancy, and the findings of that era were a great surprise to researchers.
Early testosterone formulations had several problems and limitations.
The biggest issue was its short half-life in the body, and testosterone suspension required painful and frequent injections.
These suspensions contained testosterone microcrystals suspended in water and eventually lost popularity to more convenient and advanced formulations developed later.
However, research revealed that esterifying the testosterone molecule—by attaching a carboxylic acid to its 17-beta hydroxyl group—could extend its half-life and release rate.
Esterified testosterone is broken down slowly by enzymes in the body, resulting in a longer half-life.
The first esterification created Testosterone Propionate, which extended the half-life to 4.5 days.
Subsequently, many more esterified testosterone variants were developed.
| Testosterone Propionate | 4.5-day half-life |
| Testosterone Enanthate | 7-10 day half-life |
| Testosterone Cypionate | 10-12 day half-life |
| Testosterone Phenylpropionate | 4.5-day half-life |
| Testosterone Decanoate | 15-day half-life |
Although there are many esterified variants like Testosterone Acetate and Testosterone Isocaproate, the ones most commonly used by bodybuilders, athletes, and medical professionals are Testosterone Enanthate, Testosterone Cypionate, and Testosterone Propionate.
All of these esterified testosterones are considered true testosterone steroids.
However, scientists faced another problem.
Specifically, that orally ingested testosterone had almost no effect.
Most anabolic steroid hormones have very low oral bioavailability, meaning a very small percentage enters the bloodstream after being metabolized by the liver.
This required ingesting large amounts of testosterone orally, which was not cost-effective.
Testosterone had to be used in injectable form, but in 1935, a methylated modification was discovered that allowed testosterone to resist liver metabolism and enter the bloodstream.
This modification, known as C17-alpha alkylation, involves attaching a methyl group to the testosterone structure, which prevents enzymatic breakdown in the liver and allows it to be delivered into the bloodstream.
However, this modification can increase hepatotoxicity.
Methylated testosterone, or Methyltestosterone, was the first oral androgen used, but it proved impractical due to a high conversion rate to estrogen and issues with hepatotoxicity.
As a result, Methyltestosterone lost its initial popularity, and new synthetic derivatives like Dianabol (Methandrostenolone) subsequently emerged.
Dianabol had a modified chemical structure of testosterone, giving it a stronger anabolic effect, and other variations like Equipoise (Boldenone) were developed in a similar fashion.
Dianabol is a modified form of Boldenone that can be taken orally, but it acts differently than testosterone.
Testosterone Steroid Cycles
Bodybuilders and athletes use testosterone steroids as the foundational component of their anabolic steroid cycles.
These testosterone steroids (e.g., Testosterone Propionate, Enanthate, Cypionate) are supplemented with synthetic anabolic steroids to amplify the cycle’s effects and help the user achieve specific goals.
For example, an anabolic steroid user looking to increase muscle mass and strength will typically use testosterone steroids and other anabolic steroid variants best suited for these goals.
A prime example is a cycle combining Testosterone Enanthate with Dianabol and Deca-Durabolin (Nandrolone Decanoate).
This cycle is a typical anabolic steroid “stack” specifically designed for bulking.
A cutting cycle, which includes testosterone steroids and other anabolic steroid analogs best suited for this purpose, might involve stacking Testosterone Propionate with Winstrol (Stanozolol) and Trenbolone.
These anabolic steroids are ideal for maintaining a very lean physique with minimal water retention.
The reason these anabolic steroid cycle stacks help users achieve more specific goals (like fat loss) is that the chemical structures of these anabolic steroids are modified differently to enhance or alter properties favorable for those objectives.
