Spectriol (testosterone/nandrolone/methandriol blend)

Description:

Spectriol is an injectable veterinary steroid preparation from Australia that contains five different steroid ingredients. More specifically, each milliliter contains 10 mg of testosterone cypionate, 10 mg of testosterone propionate, 10 mg of testosterone hexahydrobenzoate, 15 mg of nandrolone phenylpropionate, and 20 mg of methandriol dipropionate, for a total steroid concentration is 65 mg/mL. Given the nature of its components, the product mixture provides a moderately strong anabolic and androgenic effect. The product is also moderately estrogenic, given its testosterone and methandriol content. This agent is most commonly valued for its ability to promote strong gains in muscle size and strength, often with some level of accompanied water retention.

History:

Spectriol is a product of RWR Veterinary Products (formerly a subsidiary of Nature Vet), sold only on the Australian veterinary drug market. The drug is used to treat horses, mainly as an anabolic and tonic aid to improve muscle tone, enhance recovery, aid protein assimilation, and maintain a favorable water balance in the animal. To treat an adult horse, a dosage of 5 mL (325 mg) is generally administered once every 2 weeks for a set duration. Although never marketed or intended for human use, the product has historically piqued the interest of bodybuilders, due to the fact that it is an unusual preparation that contains 5 different steroids in a blend. Prior to the year 2000, multi-component products like this were rarely seen, especially legitimate pharmaceutical preparations. As such, the ingredients were a key marketing point for Spectriol, even if unintended by its manufacturer. Given its relatively low per-milliliter steroid concentration, however, as well as diverse competition in today’s international steroid market from export and veterinary manufacturers, this product is much less desirable than it used to be.

How Supplied:

Spectriol is available on the Australian veterinary drug market. It contains 65 mg/mL of steroid in oil in a 10 mL vial.

Structural Characteristics:

For a more comprehensive discussion of the individual steroids testosterone, nandrolone, and methandriol, refer to some of their respective profiles.

Side Effects (Estrogenic):

Testosterone is readily aromatized in the body to estradiol (estrogen). Methylandrostendiol is not directly aromatized by the body, but one of its known metabolites is methyltestosterone, which can aromatize. Methlyandrostenediol is also believed to have some inherent estrogenic activity.1 Nandrolone is aromatized weakly compared to testosterone. With such a blend, Spectriol is considered a moderately estrogenic steroid. Gynecomastia is possible during treatment, as well as significant water and fat retention, depending on the dose used and individual sensitivity. Estrogenic side effects may necessitate the use of an anti-estrogen during therapy.

Side Effects (Androgenic):

Although technically classified as an anabolic steroid preparation due to its nandrolone content (which offsets the androgenicity of testosterone and methylandrostenediol slightly), this steroid is still markedly androgenic. Androgenic side effects are, therefore, common with this substance. This may include bouts of oily skin, acne, and body/facial hair growth. Anabolic/androgenic steroids may also aggravate male pattern hair loss. Women are warned of the potential virilizing effects of anabolic/androgenic steroids. These may include a deepening of the voice, menstrual irregularities, changes in skin texture, facial hair growth, and clitoral enlargement.

Side Effects (Hepatotoxicity):

Methylandrostenediol is a c17-alpha alkylated compound. This alteration protects the drug from deactivation by the liver, allowing a very high percentage of the drug entry into the bloodstream following oral administration. C17alpha alkylated anabolic/androgenic steroids can be hepatotoxic. Prolonged or high exposure may result in liver damage. In rare instances lifethreatening dysfunction may develop. It is advisable to visit a physician periodically during each cycle to monitor liver function and overall health. Intake of c17-alpha alkylated steroids is commonly limited to 6-8 weeks, in an effort to avoid escalating liver strain. Injectable forms of the drug may present slightly less strain on the liver by avoiding the first pass metabolism of oral dosing, although may still present substantial hepatotoxicity. Given the relatively low dose of methylandrostenediol in Spectriol, liver toxicity is not likely with this drug unless high doses are taken, or it is used for prolonged durations.

Side Effects (Cardiovascular):

Anabolic/androgenic steroids can have deleterious effects on serum cholesterol. This includes a tendency to reduce HDL (good) cholesterol values and increase LDL (bad) cholesterol values, which may shift the HDL to LDL balance in a direction that favors greater risk of arteriosclerosis. The relative impact of an anabolic/androgenic steroid on serum lipids is dependant on the dose, route of administration (oral vs. injectable), type of steroid (aromatizable or non-aromatizable), and level of resistance to hepatic metabolism. Methylandrostenediol has a strong effect on the hepatic management of cholesterol due to its structural resistance to liver breakdown and (with the oral) route of administration. Testosterone and nandrolone have a weaker negative impact on cholesterol, but still do tend to alter lipid values unfavorably. Anabolic/androgenic steroids may also adversely affect blood pressure and triglycerides, reduce endothelial relaxation, and support left ventricular hypertrophy, all potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease and myocardial infarction.

To help reduce cardiovascular strain it is advised to maintain an active cardiovascular exercise program and minimize the intake of saturated fats, cholesterol, and simple carbohydrates at all times during active AAS administration. Supplementing with fish oils (4 grams per day) and a natural cholesterol/antioxidant formula such as Lipid Stabil or a product with comparable ingredients is also recommended.

The use of a liver detoxification supplement such as Liver Stabil, Liv-52, or Essentiale Forte is advised while taking any hepatotoxic anabolic/androgenic steroids.

Side Effects (Testosterone Suppression):

All anabolic/androgenic steroids when taken in doses sufficient to promote muscle gain are expected to suppress endogenous testosterone production. Without the intervention of testosteronestimulating substances. testosterone levels should return to normal within 1-4 months of drug secession. Note that prolonged can develop hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism secondary to steroid abuse, necessitating medical intervention.

The above side effects are not inclusive. For more detailed discussion of potential side effects, see the Steroid Side Effects section of this book.

Administration (Men):

Spectriol has not been approved for use in humans. Prescribing guidelines are unavailable. Typical dosing schedule for physique- or performance-enhancing purposes is in the range of 195 mg (3mL) to 390 mg (6mL) per week, a level that should provide significant muscle and strength gains. To reduce injection volume, the total weekly dosage is commonly divided into 2-3 smaller applications.

Administration (Women):

Spectriol has not been approved for use in humans. Prescribing guidelines are unavailable. Drugs containing testosterone and methylandrostenediol are generally not recommended for women for physique- or performance-enhancing purposes due their strong androgenic nature and tendency to produce virilizing side effects.

Availability:

Spectriol is found only in 10 mL multi-dose vials, and is made only by RWR (formerly a subsidiary of Nature Vet Pty, but now an independent company) in Australia. This item does not circulate on the international black market in much volume, as Australia is no longer considered a major source country for steroids. Australian prescription drugs are not easily diverted to the black market in high volumes, and the steroid market especially has been scrutinized in recent years. Add this to the fact that the packaging for Spectriol is easy to duplicate, most product located on the black market is met with suspicion.

1 Inhibition of the estrogenic activity of methylandrostenediol following administration of aminopterin . Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper. 1955 Sep-Oct;31(910):1280-4.