This was the Avant Labs and T-Gel transdermal carriers. These carrier were all speculated to have absorption rates. Most suspected that at best they could be 40% and at worst 25%. So even at 25% there was still the absorption of a minimum of 100mg of the active steroid 1-testosterone. Even if it is more or less, there is no issues of multiple conversions. It is an active steroid.
Here's the gist of my inquiry - your product has 112.5mg of a prosteroid 1-DHEA.
What rate is it being absorbed?
After it is absorbed what rate does it convert to 1-Androstenediol?
After it converts to 1-Androstenediol what rate does it convert to 1-Testosterone?
What amount of 112.5mg of 1-DHEA actually becomes active 1-Testosterone?
The same question goes for DHEA?
What rate does it absorb?
What rate does it convert to diol/dione?
We know that diol/dione converts at considerably less than 10% to testosterone.
What amount of 94mg of DHEA actually becomes active testosterone?
My purpose here is to point out the fact that the TD carriers of 5 years ago are not even close to what we are producing now. I’d guess the highest % of 1-testosterone absorbed in those topicals you mentioned was about 10% [probably about 8% orally] and 1-test was simply more powerful than people realized.
Solvents used back in the day where usually isopropyl and PG. 1-testosterone doesn’t dissolve well in these solvents, so TD delivery isn’t going to be miraculous. We use a precise ratio of ethanol, ethoxy diglycol and dimethyl isosorbide…. Which are much more efficient solvents for TD delivery of said hormones.
As far as your questions, nobody can give an exact answer, but here are my best educated guess’s –
What rate is it being absorbed?
30-45% dependant on the area of the skin.
After it is absorbed what rate does it convert to 1-Androstenediol?
Maybe about 30-40%... but remember, its converting to 1-Adione and 1-Adiol which are both active anabolic steroid hormones. I’d say the total conversion to these combined is about 75%
After it converts to 1-Androstenediol what rate does it convert to 1-Testosterone?
Again, this is highly dependent on enzyme activity but I would guess about 50% of the 1-Adione/1-Adiol is making this conversion.
What amount of 112.5mg of 1-DHEA actually becomes active 1-Testosterone?
Answered above. It should be mentioned that 1-testosterone isn’t the only compound building muscle here. If you get high enough concentrations of 1-AD you can achieve the same sort of anabolic action as 1-testosterone. [simply less potent per mg]
The same question goes for DHEA?
What rate does it absorb?
It would be absorbed at a similar rate as 1-androsterone. (same MW)
What rate does it convert to diol/dione?
We know that diol/dione converts at considerably less than 10% to testosterone.
Probably about 50-75%. You get a high about of 7-keto metabolites from DHEA too.
What amount of 94mg of DHEA actually becomes active testosterone?
Who knows… but again… if you have high enough Adione and Adiol you can achieve the same effect as testosterone.
-Eric