Hormones – J3 University

In this episode, John, Cory, and Joseph tackle a handful of questions surrounding female athletes brought to them by you all, the listeners. Listen through as each coach offers multiple perspectives on each question proposed.

Thanks for listening!

Timestamps:

00:20 Intro

07:40 Waist Trainers

16:30 Will exogenous estrogen/progesterone inhibit my growth?

34:00 Programming for the priority

Episode 58: Jeffrey Su- Semaglutatide to the Rescue for Contest Prep Hunger

John — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 01:10:46 +0000

In this episode of J3 University, Luke and I are joined by coach Jeffrey Su of First Call Out Fitness. Jeffrey takes us through the application of the popular diabetic and weight loss drug Semaglutatide. With many physique competitors using it for its hunger suppressing effects we look into the application of the drug for this and Jeffrey gives his opinion on how or when this should or should not be applied.

Timestamps

Introducing Jeffrey Su – 00:00:14

Background of GLP1RA – 00:01:29

Dysregulation of Hormones and Receptor Site Desensitization – 00:05:52

Deploying GLP1RA for Eating disorders? – 00:11:48

Negatives to GLP1RA – 00:17:05

Oral and Injectable – 00:19:54

Application for bodybuilding population – 00:21:21

Managing clients post show – 00:30:12

Other areas of application – 00:33:40

Where to find Jeffrey Su – 00:44:42

@firstcalloutfitness
www.firstcalloutfitness.com

Episode Available On: YouTube, Spotify, Google Play, iTunes

Episode 56: Going Big on PEDs and Never Going Back

John — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 01:59:25 +0000

In this episode of J3 University, Luke and I discuss the high ends of PED usage.

The question came up if you once used high levels of PEDs, can you lower the dose and still get an effect?

We look into the client assessment to determine if its possible with a potential client and when this applies and does not apply.

Also, how to scale PEDs up and down based on the assessment.

Its a must listen for practical application to PED coaching!!

Episode 45 High Risk PED Timestamps

John — Sun, 29 May 2022 07:30:47 +0000

In this episode of J3 University, Luke and I break down the cycle of 4 male IFBB Pros that were sent in to us. We have a cycle from each male division and look at the good and the bad of each one. We give some take away points on once you are at an advanced level of PED usage.

Timestamps

High Risk Case #1

Cycle Layout Men’s Physique Pro- 00:05:05

Test Dose and Ester association- 00:06:29
Trenbolone Dose- 00:11:04
Masteron and Primobolan- 00:13:26
Oral combination: Anavar, Winstrol, Halo- 00:15:16

Growth Hormone- 00:18:43

Upper Limit of Dosing- 00:19:39

High Risk Case #2

Cycle Layout Classic Physique Pro- 00:20:38

Start Point/High Point of Orals- 00:22:43

Trenbolone Dose- 00:26:47
Tren Ester’s- 00:29:01

High Risk Case #3

Cycle Layout Open Bodybuilder Pro-00:30:53

Letrozole- 00:34:47
Dianabol and Anadrol- 00:36:05
Growth Hormone- 00:39:34

Stack Design for Health and Outcome for the stage look- 00:42:58

Reasonable Case #4

Cycle Layout Classic Physique Pro- 00:46:34

Anadrol Dose- 00:48:34
Growth Hormone and Metformin- 00:50:30

Episode Available On:

YouTube, Spotify, Google Play, iTunes

Episode 29: Sarena Sloot: HRT for the Female Competitor

John — Sat, 30 Oct 2021 01:37:13 +0000

In this episode of J3 University, Luke and I are joined by NPC Wellness Competitor and Nurse Practitioner, Sarena Sloot. Sarena provides patient care at an HRT clinic and well versed in treating the issues surrounding the female competitor. We dive into what is normal menstrual cycle, spotting irregularity and what to do about it. What issues arise moving through a contest prep and post show period regarding the female endocrine system. Finally, what is a starting point to enhance a female under a safer use PED model.

Timestamps

Episode Intro- 00:00:25

Perimenopause Female Competitors- 00:02:19

PMS Symptoms and Normal Cycles- 00:06:05

Areas to address before HRT- 00:10:45

Loss of menstrual cycle, Hormone Panels & Estrogen- 00:16:65

Forms of Application for Estrogen Based Replacement- 00:26:52

Actions of Hormones and Deployment- 00:32:15

Deploying AI- 00:40:09

HRT as a starting point- 48:17:09

Birth Control- 00:50:15

Where to find Serena- 01:01:22

Sarena Social Media:

IG: @np_rena_lifts

Clinic: @totalcareclinics

Episode Available On: YouTube, Spotify, Google Play, iTunes

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Managing Lab Markers

John — Sat, 03 Jul 2021 04:24:40 +0000

AAS/PED Design and Muscle Retention in Contest Pre

mark — Tue, 16 Mar 2021 02:16:44 +0000

Subcutaneous Verse Intramuscular Testosterone Administration

John — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 11:53:39 +0000

Injecting testosterone subcutaneously into body fat! What is this blasphemy, is this even possible and why do I even care? I first heard about this at an anti-aging medical conference and the speaking physician was using it in her female TRT patience to increase adherence. This made so much sense to me, if you could use a small less invasive injection that a person was able to do at home it would keep them on therapy longer. I know my hardcore guy readers have no fear on an intramuscular injection, but even the bravest meathead get sick and tired of being a pin cushion. Just like you, I had my own questions. First off, is this as effective as injecting intramuscular? Today we will look at two studies, one for the length of time to achieve stable blood levels and a second study for efficacy and safety of longer term subQ usage.

Study: Pharmacokinetic Profile of Subcutaneous Testosterone Enanthate Delivered via a Novel, Prefilled Single‐Use Autoinjector: A Phase II Study (Kaminestky 2015)

Luckily, we have some science nerds asking these same questions as well. In this study 39 hypogonadal men were randomized to receive testosterone enanthate either 50mg subcutaneously (SC), 100mg SC, or 200mg intramuscular (IM) once per week for 6 weeks. Just to mention here we don’t have a fair comparison as the IM dose was 2x and 4x the SC dosing.

In the Figure from the study, we can see the 50mg SC dose was unable to have enough overlap to escalate serum testosterone levels. In other words, the drug clears the system before the next dose is in the system, so no accumulation occurs. However, 100mg SC was able to overlap and reach steady state exposure at week 5 and on, reaching the high end of normal for serum testosterone. This same steady state level is achieved just like intramuscular administration.

Mean serum testosterone levels:
50mg SC: 422.4 ng/dL
100mg SC: 895.5 ng/dL
200mg IM: 1658 ng/dL

We clearly see here a very clear response to dosing whether using IM or SC. This all suggests that the bioavailability of testosterone whether SC or IM is very similar.

Estradiol and DHT levels ratios
100mg SC: DHT: 51.9ng/dL and E2 48.3 pg/mL
200mg IM: DHT 117.2ng/dL and 51.9 pg/mL

I know you are going to say ½ the testosterone made the same amount of estrogen. Potentially a saturation point was reached for the aromatize enzyme as seen in other studies (Lakshaman 2010). Also, note these are still both within physiological normal.

Now, this study was to investigate a novel injecting device and not meant to compare dosing. However, we have another study investigating efficacy and safety of longer-term usage of SC vs IM testosterone administration with a traditional syringe.

STUDY: Subcutaneous Injection of Testosterone Is an Effective and Preferred Alternative to Intramuscular Injection: Demonstration in Female-to-Male Transgender Patients (Spratt 2017)

The researchers evaluated the efficacy, safety, and acceptability of manual SC injections of T cypionate to patients undergoing female to male sex transition. Patients were given the option to choose SC, IM or transdermal administration.

This was a retrospective study, looking back over data from the clinic and had been monitored for over 42 months. 96 out of 63 patients selected SC testosterone cypionate administration via a 25g 5/8″ needle in thigh or abdomen. Dosing was progressively increased from 50 to 150mg per week to achieve physiological levels of that of men (357-1377 ng/dL).

In the Figure from this study, we see the mean dosage of 80mg of testosterone provided serum testosterone levels within the normal range for mean of serum T. Like other studies using IM injection we do see a variety in response to similar doses. Further making a point that you need to have lab work to assess efficacy of your TRT or AAS dosing. You might need more or less dosage for the same results as another individual.

Research takeaways:
Median dose of 80mg achieved normal testosterone levels of that for men
Individuals response varied greatly in response, 2 patients at 50mg of testosterone weekly had serum levels over 1200 ng/dL

All patients that had previously used IM injections preferred SC
Some patients reported small nodules after SC injection, resolving in 1-2 days and transient site inflammation

Patients had a greater preference for smaller needle size and reported less pain

In this last study we see long term SC administration was very effective in achieving serum test levels similar to IM and with similar dosages. Minimal side effects were noted in subjects. So, I ask again can subcutaneous injection be as effective as intramuscular injections? Yes it very well can be.

Other benefits of SC injections:
Less scar tissue developed from IM administration
Ability to increase administration frequency to improve steady state levels of test, estrogen and DHT
Improved adherence for females and males due to small less painful injections compared to IM
This same administration can carry over to other AAS suspended in oils
Lower barrier to entry to TRT and AAS usage for needle wary (no more orals as first AAS usage introduction)

Disadvantages:
Large injection volumes have the potential to be less tolerated

This may leave a AAS user administrating testosterone SC for stable DHT and E2 levels and keeping other AAS IM depending on ester clearance and volume of dosage

Like this information then get ready for J3 University. This will be your full education course for all things physique enhancement from nutrition, training, health, to PEDs. Check us out at J3University.com

Think Big, Train Hard!
John Jewett MS, RD, IFBB Pro

References

Kaminetsky J, Jaffe JS, Swerdloff RS. Pharmacokinetic Profile of Subcutaneous Testosterone Enanthate Delivered via a Novel, Prefilled Single-Use Autoinjector: A Phase II Study. Sex Med. 2015;3(4):269-279. Published 2015 Sep 17. doi:10.1002/sm2.80

K.M.Lakshman,B.Kaplan,T.G.Travison,S.Basaria,P.E.Knapp,A.B.Singh,M.P.LaValley,N.A. Mazer, and S. Bhasin. The effects of injected testosterone dose and age on the conversion of testosterone to estradiol and dihydrotestosterone in young and older men. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 95(8):3955–3964, 2010.

Daniel I. Spratt, India I. Stewart, Clara Savage, Wendy Craig, Norman P. Spack, Donald Walt Chandler, Lindsey V. Spratt, Toni Eimicke, Jerrold S. Olshan, Subcutaneous Injection of Testosterone Is an Effective and Preferred Alternative to Intramuscular Injection: Demonstration in Female-to-Male Transgender Patients, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 102, Issue 7, 1 July 2017, Pages 2349–2355, https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2017-00359