Written by Dr George Touliatos, MD
19 May 2020

 

DR T IS IN

 

 

Dr. Testosterone Is In!

 

By Tim Zakowski

 

This interview with Dr. Testosterone, George Touliatos, MD was originally published in 2016 on anabolic.org <https://anabolic.org/>

 

Thank you for taking the time to do this interview, George; many of our readers are very curious to learn more about you. After all, it isn’t every day that people see a doctor from Greece, with the physique of a pro bodybuilder, who is known the world over for his knowledge of anabolic steroids. How did your passion for performance-enhancing drugs develop, and at what age?

 

George Touliatos: First of all, I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to do this interview. While I never became a pro bodybuilder, I was a competitive amateur bodybuilder who managed to win the nationals twice. I am very glad to be a member of the Anabolic.org family and I feel most thankful to William Llewellyn, the author of ANABOLICS, and founder of Molecular Nutrition, Anabolic.org and ROIDTEST. I was a huge fan of his work from the time I was doing my residency in biopathology. My first mentor actually suggested that I study William’s ANABOLICS book, almost 10 years ago. Honestly, I had never thought of what life holds in store; that almost a decade later I would have the privilege of being his associate. Therefore, I feel blessed being able to accomplish this dream of a lifetime, as athletic performance was my passion since my early years.

 

We are just as happy to have you as part of the family, George. Did your interest in learning about steroids lead you into studying medicine, and ultimately into your career as a doctor? While studying, what was the one subject that fascinated you the most?

 

GT: Among my dreams as a teenager was to become a professional athlete, or a physical education teacher. However, the fact that I came from a conservative medical family influenced me toward sports medicine science and functional anatomy. This was my favorite subject during my academic years in medicine. There was a direct correlation between myology, meaning skeletal muscles nomenclature and bodybuilding training. Therefore, I was able to understand how a particular exercise works, by knowing the origin-insertion of the muscle belly. Athletics were a top priority of mine early on, and weightlifting/bodybuilding later became my focus during my academic years as a medical student. I was good mainly in sprinting and the long jump early in my life. This is something common among guys who later start resistance training, because it involves the same kind of (fast-twitch) muscle fibers. I took part in several events and managed to win several medals between 1982-1991 at Athens College.

 

Later, during my pre-medical course in Budapest (1991, Semmelweis University), I joined the gym and soon realized that I had the ability to gain size quite easily. I believe my body type was meso-endomorphic. At that time, I had no idea about nutrition basics, or even supplementation. I was 18 years old and weighed around 170 pounds, at 5-foot-9 inches tall. Supplementation came later; in 1997 I tried the basic stuff such as protein powders (back then the milk and egg combination was still popular), amino acids, vitamins, EFAs, HMB and creatine monohydrate. I do remember that supplementation was more expensive back then, compared to today. Mind that, specialized nitric oxide formulas were not yet available. However, thermogenic supplementation was still on the market and legal. They were far more effective than current formulas, due to the inclusion of ma-huang-ephedra herbs.

 

Soon after I graduated from Athens Medical School, in the summer of 1999, and moved to Kefalonia island (West Greece, Ionian Sea) in order to work as a general practitioner. That period literally changed my life for the better; it was the moment when I entered into the magical world of chemical enhancement and performance-enhancing drugs. Among my closest friends was a steroid guru, Simon, who noticed my natural talent and good symmetry and aesthetic physique. We shared the same passion, so we started training together, talking for hours about bodybuilding, training, nutrition and steroids. We even exchanged the FLEX and MuscleMag magazines, trying to learn as much as we could. There was no Internet available back then and the only source was Dan Duchaine’s handbook, a pioneer for that time. Being honest, during the early years I had no basic knowledge about AAS, but the fact I was a graduate of medical school gave me the ability to understand physiology and endocrinology better. I had the privilege to perform blood work quite often at the public hospitals and understand the fluctuations of my biochemical and hormonal labs. This gave me an advantage to realize how drugs work and how supplementation, dieting and training affect the bodily systems. It was a valuable experience, without any doubt, that I later introduced into the books that I wrote from 2012-2016.

 

Basically, the drugs came into my life after I became a doctor in 1999. I had the opportunity to judge better, being able to understand the significance of medical prevention rules. Of course, this may sound contradictory to some, however sometimes you do not think or act as a scientist. You are driven from your passion and you turn on your other (athletic) side. There is a major difference between individuals who use PEDs for cosmetic purposes, driven from vanity, and those who use them to become more competitive in sports, with a massive desire to win. The main reason I started abusing AAS and PEDs was in order to enter into competitions. My first bodybuilding show took place at the age of 26, while I was still practicing as a general practitioner. When people used to ask me, how the heck was I using chemical enhancement even though I was an MD, I mentioned the poor living habits of other colleagues (tobacco, alcohol, junk food, cocaine, lack of physical activity). Plus, there is the fact that AAS/PEDs were medically prescribed for the treatment of certain diseases, including anemia, osteopenia, hypogonadism, and muscle wasting. Of course, back then I felt powerful and not vulnerable at all. Perhaps it was part of my arrogance, lack of experience and ignorance.

 

Describe the availability of anabolic steroids in Greece. Here in the USA, for example, nearly all of the supply is underground steroids with questionable validity. Are there true pharmaceutical-grade options in Greece?

 

GT: AAS and PEDs in Greece are available in pharmacy stores, and the majority of them do not require a medical prescription paper from a physician. The law is quite loose here and the only issue you face with underground marketing (non pharmaceutical compounds) is the penalty of financial crime. I know that law in USA, CAN-AUS is very strict and AAS-PEDs legally resemble the class three of narcotics in Greece (for instance, diazepam and codeine). This is the list of drugs available at my local drug stores:

 

1) Testosterone Enanthate 250mg (Norma Hellas)

2) Testim gel (Ferring)

3) Deca-Durabolin 50mg (Organon)

4) Proviron tabs 25mg (Schering-Bayer)

5) Restadol caps 40mg (Organon)

6) Nolvadex tabs 10/20mg (AstraZeneca)

7) Pregnyl 1500/5000 iu (Organon)

8) Clomiphene citrate 50mg (Anfarm)

9) Spiropent 5mg/5ml (Boehringer Ingelheim)

10) Arimidex 1mg (AstraZeneca),

11) Femara 2.5mg (Novartis)

12) Aromasin 25mg (Pfizer)

13) Humulin N (Lilly)

14) Genotropin 16iu (Pfizer)

15) T3/T4 25mg (Unipharma)

16) Reductil 15mg (Abbott)

Prescription paper is needed for nandrolone, somatropin and amphetamines. All the rest are available without a prescription. Mind that before 2000, there was also the availability of fluoxymesterone (Halotestin), methenolone (Primobolan Depot) and even before oxymetholone (Anasterone), stanozolol (Winstrol).

Wow, that is remarkable. Back to your days of competitive bodybuilding, what are some of your most exciting memories of competing?

GT: Concerning competitive bodybuilding, I have performed in 12 shows.

I started in 2000 (age 26, at 175 pounds) and competed until the masters in 2013 (age 40, at 200 pounds). I won in 2000 (fitness class) and in 2009 (light heavyweight class). I remember the first time I won, at age 27, when I took the microphone in order to thank a few people who had helped me. And I could not neglect, of course, the moment when I doubled my victories nine years later. That was quite an achievement, trying my best for a comeback and knowing that I had to face guys 10 years younger than me. It was very moving, hearing my name as the winner. I have always been outspoken about my steroid abuse in the past. This was not for gossip, but to enlighten guys who lived in the shadows of ignorance, based on broscience. I spoke the truth with honesty and without hesitation, whether on live television, recorded appearances, radio shows, or in magazine and online interviews.

 

dr t 2

That is very noble of you, George. On that note, what tips for harm reduction would you like to share with our readers, in order to help protect their health and longevity while using AAS?

GT: As a medical doctor in biopathology and a former steroid user, I have to provide information based on medical prevention rules. Proper lifestyle habits (no smoking, no narcotics, limited alcohol consumption, limited junk food, plenty of regular aerobic exercise, enough sleep every night) along with healthy nutrition and supplementation choices will ensure longevity. I recommend plenty of white meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, seeds and fiber. I recommend the avoidance of table salt and sugar, fried food, processed red meat, refined carbohydrates, trans and saturated fats, carbonated beverages, and gluten. These are among the basic rules that a health-conscious steroid user should follow.

 

Additionally, you will want to perform regular lab work, regularly undergo a stress test/electrocardiogram to check the condition of your heart, and monitor your blood pressure regularly. If you’re using methylated steroid tablets, I recommend them to be taken sublingually; if using injectables, be sure to rotate injection sites frequently. The use of supplements that support cardiovascular health and liver function, such as Molecular Nutrition’s Lipid and Liver Stabil, is also advised. Be extra cautious with CNS stimulants, insulin and diuretics, as they are able to kill instantly in the case of overdose. Knowledge is power, while ignorance is dangerous. This is the motto that I have introduced within my books for the last four years.

And now for the final question, and the one many readers will want to know the answer to the most: What was your favorite cycle that you ever ran? I’m curious about the compounds, dosages and duration.

 

GT: I have tried almost every injectable and several orals. The only noteworthy oral drugs I didn’t have the chance to try were M3 (methyltrienolone) and THG (tetrahydrogestrinone). My highest abuse during pre-contest preparation was: During the last two weeks before my final show (2013 masters>40), I took the following PEDs on a daily basis: 50mg fluoxymesterone, 50mg oxandrolone, 50mg stanozolol, 50mg exemestan (am/pm), 100mg mesterolone, 100mg testosterone suspension, 100mg trenbolone base, along with clenbuterol HCL, Τ3 and T4.

 

On the other hand, during the off-season period of 2012, for a duration of four weeks my peak on a weekly basis was: 2000mg testosterone enanthate, 1000mg nandrolone decaonate, 1000mg methenolone enanthate, 400mg parabolan, 50mg methandrostenolone ED, 100mg mesterolone and 40mg tamoxifen.

Thank you, George, it was pleasure learning more about one of the brightest minds at Anabolic.org. You provide an incredible level of insight, being able to draw both from your medical knowledge and firsthand use. I, like the rest of our readers, will be looking forward to reading more articles from you in the near future!

GT: It was my pleasure giving you that exclusive interview. I am looking forward to publishing my latest book in the U.S. market later this year. American readers are the world’s experts and probably the most educated in this field. I have exchanged valuable information so far while working on it, and actually feel blessed being able to interact with some masterminds.

George Touliatos, MD is an author, lecturer, champion competitive bodybuilder and expert in medical prevention regarding PED use in sports. Dr. Touliatos specializes in medical biopathology and is the medical associate of Orthobiotiki.gr and Medihall.gr, Age Management and Preventive Clinics in Athens, Greece. Heis the author of four Greek books on bodybuilding, has extensively developed articles for www.anabolic.org and is the medical associate for the book Anabolics, 11th Edition (2017). Dr. Touliatos has been a columnist for the Greek editions of MuscleMag and Muscular Development magazines, and has participated in several seminars across Greece and Cyprus, making numerous TV and radio appearances, doing interviews in print and online. His personal website is https://gtoul.com/

 

 

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