Nandrolone (Deca Durabolin): Effect on Lab Tests

PARTICIPATION NEEDED!

Of those EM members that have taken nandrolone or are currently taking nandrolone alongside their TRT, we are conducting a small ExcelMale study to help determine the effect that nandrolone has on Total Testosterone, E2, Prolactin, SHBG, free T, and DHT while taking TRT.

Here is what is needed:

Simply post the following information...

(1) Pretest Labs (Labs taken before adding nandrolone to TRT):
TT
Free T
SHBG
E2
Prolactin
DHT
Blood Assay Methodology
RX Protocol

(2) Posttest Labs (Labs taken during nandrolone treatment):
TT
Free T
SHBG
E2
Prolactin
DHT
Blood Assay Methodology
RX Protocol

Let's move our knowledge forward!

@Gman86 @Vince @Nelson Vergel @Jason Sypolt @madman @madhacker @Cataceous

Nandrolone's Effects in Conjunction with Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Executive Summary

This forum thread synthesizes an analysis of the effects of nandrolone when used with Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT). The core findings indicate that nandrolone produces a distinct and predictable set of changes to blood work, physiological state, and quality of life.

Key takeaways include a significant alteration of hormonal panels, characterized by an increase in Free Testosterone and a decrease in Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG). Critically, the measurement of Total Testosterone is only accurate via a Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS) assay, as older immunoassay methods will falsely register nandrolone as testosterone. The substance also increases hematocrit while lowering HDL ("good") cholesterol.
Physiologically, nandrolone is noted for a unique benefit: the reduction of joint pain. It also improves muscle pump and strength. Potential adverse effects include increased blood pressure and water retention in some individuals. Contrary to widespread belief, the source asserts that nandrolone has no effect on prolactin levels. It is also neutral regarding erectile dysfunction (ED) and does not cause drug-induced changes to liver enzymes.
Impact on Blood Work and Key Biomarkers
When used with TRT, nandrolone, classified as a 17-alpha methylated anabolic, has several measurable effects on blood work. Accurate interpretation of these results, particularly for testosterone, is contingent on using the correct laboratory assay.

Biomarker	Effect	Notes
Free Testosterone	Increases	-
Total Testosterone	No Change	This is only true when measured using an LC/MS assay.
SHBG	Decreases	Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin is lowered.
DHT	May or May Not Increase	The effect on Dihydrotestosterone is variable.
HDL Cholesterol	Decreases	High-Density Lipoprotein, or "good" cholesterol, is lowered.
Hematocrit	Increases	-
Prolactin	Stays the Same	The source material challenges common beliefs, stating this level is unaffected.
Liver Enzymes	No Drug-Induced Change	While the drug itself does not alter liver enzymes, resistance exercise can.

Physiological and Quality of Life Effects
The administration of nandrolone alongside TRT induces several physical and experiential changes. These range from therapeutic benefits to potential side effects.
Beneficial Effects
• Reduced Joint Pain: This is highlighted as a unique effect of nandrolone.
• Improved Muscle Pump: An enhancement in the feeling of muscle fullness during exercise is reported.
• Increased Strength: Users experience an improvement in physical strength.
Potential Adverse Effects
• Increased Blood Pressure: Blood pressure may go up in some men.
• Increased Water Retention: The body may retain more water, which can worsen existing issues.
• Increased Appetite: An increase in appetite may occur.
Neutral Effects
• Erectile Dysfunction (ED): The source states there is no effect on ED.
Crucial Considerations for Laboratory Testing
The method used for testing testosterone levels is of paramount importance when nandrolone is present.
• Inaccurate Method (Immunoassay): Older immunoassay tests (e.g., ECLIA) will incorrectly detect nandrolone as testosterone, leading to a falsely elevated Total Testosterone reading.
• Accurate Method (LC/MS): A Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS) assay will not cross-react with nandrolone, providing an accurate Total Testosterone measurement. The specific test mentioned is the 'testosterone-free-dialysis-and-total-ls-ms-ms'.
Associated Resources and Experts
The source material references the following resources for testing and information:
• Testing Provider: www.discountedlabs.com is cited as a source for the appropriate LC/MS testosterone test.
• Expert and Forum: Nelson Vergel, co-author of "Built to Survive: A Comprehensive Guide...", is mentioned in the context of reviewing bodybuilder blood work panels on the Excel Male Health Forum. These panels are noted to be available through DiscountedLabs.com and are designed to help minimize side effects and maximize the benefits of anabolics and testosterone.

 

When used with TRT, nandrolone (like all 17-alpha methylated anabolics) has the following effects on blood work and quality of life:

1. Free T goes up
2. HDL goes down
3. SHBG goes down
4. DHT may or may not go up
5. Hematocrit goes up
6. Blood pressure and water retention may go up in some men
7. Joint pain goes down (this effect is unique to nandrolone) Nandrolone, joint pain and tendon healing
8. Prolactin stays the same (despite what you read everywhere- Prove me wrong!)
9. Total T does not go up if you use LC/MS assay (Not ECLIA immunoassay)
10. ED: No effect
11. Muscle pump improves
12. Strength improves
13. Water retention can get worse
14. Appetite may increase
15. No drug-induced liver enzyme changes. But be aware that resistance exercise can increase certain liver enzymes.

NOTE: If you get a testosterone test that uses the old immunoassay, nandrolone will be picked up as testosterone. But that won't happen if you use LC/MS:

Search result for: 'testosterone-free-dialysis-and-total-ls-ms-ms'

www.discountedlabs.com

Bodybuilder Lab Work: Nelson Vergel Reviews Two Cases - Excel Male Health Forum

In this video, Nelson Vergel reviews what the main blood tests that are sold on DiscountedLabs.com as part of a bodybuilder blood work panel to minimize side effects and maximize benefits of anabolics and testosterone. Nelson is the co-author of "Built to Survive: A Comprehensive Guide to...

www.excelmale.com

 

By the way, @DS3, Thank you for the poll and interesting question!

 

Of those EM members that have taken nandrolone or are currently taking nandrolone alongside their TRT, we are conducting a small ExcelMale study to help determine the effect that nandrolone has on Total Testosterone, E2, Prolactin, SHBG, free T, and DHT while taking TRT.

Here is what is needed:

(1) Pretest Labs (Labs taken before adding nandrolone to TRT):
TT
Free T
SHBG
E2
Prolactin
DHT
Blood Assay Methodology
RX Protocol

(2) Posttest Labs (Labs taken during nandrolone treatment):
TT
Free T
SHBG
E2
Prolactin
DHT
Blood Assay Methodology
RX Protocol

Let's move our knowledge forward!

@Gman86 @Vince @Nelson Vergel @Jason Sypolt @madman @madhacker @Cataceous

By the way, @DS3, Thank you for the poll and interesting question!

Absolutely!

 

I know a couple of females using N for HRT, no hair thinning as they experienced with T, even small doses, but their total T was quite high with standard immunoassay, will suggest LC-MS and see how it compares.

 

Curious what weekly doses mg’s of nandrolone Where added to trt protocol and injection frequency

 

When used with TRT, nandrolone (like all anabolics) has the following effects on blood work and quality of life:

1. Free T goes up
2. HDL goes down
3. SHBG goes down
4. DHT may or may not go up
5. Hematocrit goes up
6. Blood pressure may go up in some men
7. Joint pain goes down (this effect is unique to nandrolone) Nandrolone, joint pain and tendon healing
8. Prolactin does not change (despite what you read everywhere- Prove me wrong!)
9. Total T does not go up if you use LC/MS assay (Not ECLIA immunoassay)
10. ED: No effect
11. Muscle pump improves
12. Strength improves
13. Water retention can get worse
14. Appetite may increase

Does this hold true if one was to substitute some Test with Nandrolone? If I'm currently using 150mg Test C over a week and went to 100mg and 50mg of Nando?

 

I know a couple of females using N for HRT, no hair thinning as they experienced with T, even small doses, but their total T was quite high with standard immunoassay, will suggest LC-MS and see how it compares.

Do you know the doses of nandrolone that they were using? And were they using it by itself?

 

@Nelson Vergel In your experience how many points will hematocrit go up with 100mg a week of nandrolone?

 

@Nelson Vergel In your experience how many points will hematocrit go up with 100mg a week of nandrolone?

It depends on how much testosterone you are using, if you smoke, if you have sleep apnea, if you eat a lot of iron-rich foods, etc... Best guess 2 points max

 

It depends on how much testosterone you are using, if you smoke, if you have sleep apnea, if you eat a lot of iron-rich foods, etc... Best guess 2 points max

Currently around 180mg/week it puts my total T in the high 900's. Doctor just started me on Nandrolone 100mg/week split into two 50mg injections with my T.

Thanks, Nelson!

 

What has your hematocrit been like?

 

What has your hematocrit been like?

@Nelson Vergel My last test was 48.6 I believe. The one prior was 49.6 maybe if I recall correctly.

 

You will not need to donate blood after adding 100 mg nandrolone

 

You will not need to donate blood after adding 100 mg nandrolone

Great news! Thank you, again.

 

I don’t know if you guys know that my first book was mostly about nandrolone. Here you can download it for free.

https://powerusa.org/books/Built_to_Survive.pdf

 

We used higher doses back then because we were using it for HIV wasting syndrome. But after reversing wasting, many HIV+ patients stayed on a maintenance dose of 100 mg of nandrolone plus 100 mg of testosterone per week for years while also monitoring hematocrit and HDL as main variables.

 

We used higher doses back then because we were using it for HIV wasting syndrome. But after reversing wasting, many HIV+ patients stayed on a maintenance dose of 100 mg of nandrolone plus 100 mg of testosterone per week for years while also monitoring hematocrit and HDL as main variables.

Hey Nelson, in your 10 years of experience with Nandrolone did you suffer with depression or libido/ed issues?

 

I was on 200 mg of Deca every two weeks and 350 IU HCG twice a week for 10 years (1995 to 2005). Never had an issue with either one, but over time Hb and HCT did become a problem as did iron levels. Could have been resolved with blood donations but we didn't have our heads wrapped around that concept until more recently.

 

I was on 200 mg of Deca every two weeks and 350 IU HCG twice a week for 10 years (1995 to 2005). Never had an issue with either one, but over time Hb and HCT did become a problem as did iron levels. Could have been resolved with blood donations but we didn't have our heads wrapped around that concept until more recently.

Did you ever have labs done while on that protocol?