Hi everyone, this is my first time posting so sorry if I miss anything. Hoping to get some advice on cycles and PCT.
Male
Age: 33
Weight: 209lbs/95kg
Height: 5ft 11
This is my first cycle, I started Anavar this week with the intention of doing an Anavar only cycle, however I’ve now found out that it’s unlikely my gains will stay post var if I don’t stack it with Test and use some PCT.
After some more research I’m considering adding Test E and Proviron to the mix.
I’m on my 6th day of Anavar at 50mg a day 25mg in morning and 25mg on evening.
I’m hoping someone can provide me with some good advice on how best to cycle this now…
Should I stop the var and start the Test and Proviron, or can I keep going with Var and add the others in?
Also amounts of Test and Pro would be greatly appreciated.
Lastly, on PCT. I’ve seen a lot about taking hCG, N2Guard and Aromasin. Is this the best method? And if so how much should I be taking and when?
That’s…fucking terrible PCT. N2Guard is a scam, just like everything else from that guy. Aromasin reduces E2 and [edited for misinformation], so you will feel like shit. You want nolva or clomid for PCT, 10mg/day for nolva for 6 weeks, 25mg for clomid. Most recommend hCG in the interim between stopping pinning (hint) and starting your SERM (nolva/clomid).
But my dude, you have put the cart 6 miles in front of the horse. Starting any cycle without having PCT in hand (assuming you are not BnC) is pants-on-head dumb. Since you just started the var, I say drop it completely as you probably aren’t shut down yet. Do a shit ton more reading on cycle design and first cycles (hint, using only 1 compound is recommended for first cycles) and come back with a different plan.
I understand you mean well but this statement is incorrect. Using an AI will absolutely do something to restart T production. See the many many posts on here regarding AI/SERM interaction with HPTA.
Simplified cheat sheet for those that like pictures:
One that takes the time to read these two references and understand the material will be better prepared to make decisions regarding AAS usage and appropriate “PCT”.
It is just isn’t as optimal as a SERM, at least according to most people from what I’ve seen.
Just a note. I don’t know why anyone would use Proviron unless using something that could impact libido like Deca. I wouldn’t want to be any more horny than I already am on high Test. One should have plenty of DHT on Test. It is like the goal is to be bald with a beard even faster than Test will allow.
I edited my original post. But this is interesting, can you walk me through the process shown here? From my understanding, an AI will inhibit the conversion of T to E, which would increase the amount of T in the bloodstream. Is this saying that the reduction of E in the bloodstream would produce a smaller inhibition response in the Hypothalamus and Pituitary, thereby releasing more LH and FSH and causing more T production? Wouldn’t taking an AI result in crashed E since the brain (probably) would not increase T production to the point where E was appropriate?
[edit] The Urology Times article says the prescribe 1mg PER DAY of anastrozole? I’m extremely confused because that seems like a ridiculous amount for someone natty, even if they are over 60 pg/mL of E2. That would utterly annihilate my E2 even on TRT. I cannot imagine how much I would have to blast to need 1mg/day.
Optimal…now that is a tricky word. That implies tradeoffs that must be explicitly defined and quantified in order to find local maximum/minimum.
Lots of options between my 4 weeks of hCG then wait a while to Defy’s latest approach:
Perhaps the SERM PCT shines because of it’s simplicity. Hard to screw up taking a pill in the morning haha.
Most of us would have to go to a compounding pharmacy to get 0.125 mg anastrozole tabs. I still wonder why UGLs don’t offer lower dose AIs. It seems like there is a need for them, but maybe I am an outlier in wanting a product like that.
Lower inhibition at the pituitary causing increased LH pulse amplitude/frequency. Testosterone would act at the hypothalamus and pituitary.
Crash? No, not at reasonable dosage/frequency. We are talking about short stint of AI to restart HPTA. Risk of AI vs SERM can be debated (both are most likely appropriate for short stints).
For example see effect of enclomifene on the brain:
Agreed. In another post I recommended reading the article for the big picture but ignore the dosages mentioned. Absolute overkill IMO. Great point.
Everyone should be critical and decide for themselves with everything they read. Hence, I like the graphic but don’t agree with the dosing. Protect yourself.
I at one point saw dose response curves for E2 and AI doses with men. It seems the dose response is almost independent of dose. Maybe that was just at the doses they tested? I think they were using Asin? But, 12.5 mg lowered E2 basically the exact same as 25 mg. I am guessing the 12.5 mg dose had E2 return faster though? Maybe we would have to really get into micro doses for there to be a big difference in the amount of E2 lowering?
I like to see a person working out in the gym before I would recommend any AAS. Obviously, that isn’t possible here. So I ask a few questions that you haven’t addressed:
How many years have you trained with weights?
What would you guess is your percent body fat?
What are your specific goals that you feel need AAS?
How strong are you? If I were seeing you lift in the gym I would make an assessment based on how much weight you are moving “x” number of reps. So, give us your strongest lifts, but I will say most would like to know your Bench Press, Overhead Press, Squat, and Deadlift.
I’ve trained on and off for years but I’ve been consistent 6 days a week for 10 months now.
I started at 70kg and I’m now 95kg
Body fat I would say is around 18%
Initially I wanted to cut and get down to around the 10-12% body fat. But I would also like to pack on a little muscle too.
Bench I’m at 110 one rep max
OHP - my left felt is fucked so I’m not lifting more than 45kg on this right now
Squat is 140kg
Deadlift is 200kg one rep max
I would rather see you stronger before starting AAS.
You said you lift weights six time a week. Maybe you haven’t yet optimized your training protocol. You might need more recovery than you are currently getting.
