54 year old half way thru first cycle...should I just stay on?

[DeniZen]

I'm half way thru my first cycle..test e only feeling great getting stronger and gained 9 lbs so far. I've been ramping up the dose and will be at 500mg Monday. Libido is thru the roof and I'm really enjoying the ride. Instead PCT I was thinking of just cruising at 150-200mg a week. Basically a self managed TRT program. I get my blood checked regularly...gtg.

Advice Please

[nhl1]

I have to tell you, I plan to start TRT on a full time basis once I hit 45--at the latest!

Maybe as soon as I have two kids. At your age, what is there to really worry about anymore?

[terraj]

I'm half way thru my first cycle..test e only feeling great getting stronger and gained 9 lbs so far. I've been ramping up the dose and will be at 500mg Monday. Libido is thru the roof and I'm really enjoying the ride. Instead PCT I was thinking of just cruising at 150-200mg a week. Basically a self managed TRT program. I get my blood checked regularly...gtg.

Advice Please

Do you know your Test levels, have you seen an Endo? If not- then no, thats a bad idea.

Finish your cycle and PCT, wait 3 months maybe, get your blood work done then make your decision....with the help of an Endo.

Nhl1.....maybe you should not have kids mate.

[nhl1]

He just said he's 54 and he gets his blood checked regularly, indicating he's seen or is seeing a Dr. on a regular basis. I went on the assumption that he's ran this by his Dr. and is simply coming here for opinions.

[kelevra]

I'm half way thru my first cycle..test e only feeling great getting stronger and gained 9 lbs so far. I've been ramping up the dose and will be at 500mg Monday. Libido is thru the roof and I'm really enjoying the ride. Instead PCT I was thinking of just cruising at 150-200mg a week. Basically a self managed TRT program. I get my blood checked regularly...gtg.

Advice Please

IMO that prob would be what i do when i hit that age. Every so often run a cycle then hit trt for a bit. You might check on Ronnie Rowlands thread to check out his sling shot approach. He could also advice a good protocal to use for what you want.

[junkiescumbag]

why not your natty test is already declining, you have kids. go for it

[songdog]

At 52 thats wat I do Bro.The hell with it.I aint havin no more kids.

[calstate23]

I'm half way thru my first cycle..test e only feeling great getting stronger and gained 9 lbs so far. I've been ramping up the dose and will be at 500mg Monday. Libido is thru the roof and I'm really enjoying the ride. Instead PCT I was thinking of just cruising at 150-200mg a week. Basically a self managed TRT program. I get my blood checked regularly...gtg.

Advice Please

Yeah I would definitely say stay on that dose. Looks like you're responding to it well in all ways.

It will definitely be better to finish off with the dose you are using because if you all of a sudden drop your dose super low you're going to shock your body because you have been taking a higher dose. Quite possible your body might react similar to when you finish your cycle if you out of the blue start dropping super low dosages....

I say finish off strong take your PCT correctly and I think that will be your best scenerio.

[gymfu]

I'm only thirty and thinking about that.

[Cravenmorehead]

I'm half way thru my first cycle..test e only feeling great getting stronger and gained 9 lbs so far. I've been ramping up the dose and will be at 500mg Monday. Libido is thru the roof and I'm really enjoying the ride. Instead PCT I was thinking of just cruising at 150-200mg a week. Basically a self managed TRT program. I get my blood checked regularly...gtg.

Advice Please

Same age here.
Are you taking any anti-e? If I don't I bloat like a toad. I started with nolva but transitioned to aromasin which seems to be keeping me even leaner and feeling better in general. I went with 750 a week....200 just as trt plus 550. BF is approaching 10%. I'm just wondering how long to stay on the aromasin when i drop the dose back to 200 a week on a permanent basis.

[Far from massive]

I think its always wise to look at your test levels before starting a cycle particularly at 40 plus. At 50 plus unless your levels are abnormally high for you age you will have a lot of trouble keeping what you gained on cycle as well as recovering your test levels back to pre cycle level. For these reasons I really don't see much point in doing cycles at 40+ in most cases and at 50+ the number of people who will achieve what they desire is very low IMHO.

[Far from massive]

PS as far as TRT goes if you are well off financially then by all means hit up a clinic and go that route. If on the other hand you are not and are reluctant to start TRT because of the lifelong financial commitment, keep in mind if you get you own chems and homebrew you are talking less than 200 bucks a year including AI's and HCG and if you buy your test you are still only adding a couple of hundred to that figure. So what seems like a scary commitment, should really be the easiest decision you ever made.

[Cravenmorehead]

PS as far as TRT goes if you are well off financially then by all means hit up a clinic and go that route. If on the other hand you are not and are reluctant to start TRT because of the lifelong financial commitment, keep in mind if you get you own chems and homebrew you are talking less than 200 bucks a year including AI's and HCG and if you buy your test you are still only adding a couple of hundred to that figure. So what seems like a scary commitment, should really be the easiest decision you ever made.

Thanks for the help. I get pharmaceutical grade test cyp and for the AI's use chems. Well worth the money in my book. The motivational change is what has made it worth it so far. It was a "now or never" decision. When i grabbed a pull up bar and could only do one rep and 10 pushups......couldn't take it any more. Dropped 20 plus pounds. Now it's over 60 pushups and 18 pullups.......maybe not much for some people but a big improvement for myself. The urge to push it in the weight room is up......just an all around lifestyle change for me. I'll be curious to see how the strength and motivation holds up when I drop the test levels. Before, I knew I was a fat weak slob but didn't have the drive to change.

[DeniZen]

For these reasons I really don't see much point in doing cycles at 40+ in most cases and at 50+ the number of people who will achieve what they desire is very low IMHO.

Maybe I'm just lucky then cuz I see and feel some nice changes in the last three weeks. And the 500mg dose hasn't kicked in yet. And I've put 9 lbs from my start at 174 lbs. Time will tell. My lifts are up 30% from when I started free weights about 15 weeks ago. Of course I've never lifted before so maybe the gains should be expected. Anyways my goals are modest. Obviously not chargin' like a 20-something

[DeniZen]

He just said he's 54 and he gets his blood checked regularly, indicating he's seen or is seeing a Dr. on a regular basis. I went on the assumption that he's ran this by his Dr. and is simply coming here for opinions.

right you are. Test was 307 at cycle start. MD is a friend which is nice.

[DeniZen]

Same age here.
Are you taking any anti-e? If I don't I bloat like a toad. I started with nolva but transitioned to aromasin which seems to be keeping me even leaner and feeling better in general. I went with 750 a week....200 just as trt plus 550. BF is approaching 10%. I'm just wondering how long to stay on the aromasin when i drop the dose back to 200 a week on a permanent basis.

I haven't added anything and have had no sides. I ramped up 300/400/500 so maybe side are on their way lol.

[nhl1]

-----

[terraj]

Sadly, the majority of the members here are just meatheads who do nothing but regurgitate what they read in "sticky" threads. They're unable to realize a 54 year old is probably more interested in things like energy, libido, mood, and happiness as opposed to "keeping their gains."

"OMG, man, don't lower your test doses from 500 to 200 on your own! That's terrible! Just finish your cycle and talk to an endo!"

LOLOLOLOLOL!!! There's about a million guys that have dropped their test doses from 1000 mg a week to 200 on a cruise. And dropping from 500 to PCT drugs is gonna be less of a shock? LOLOL

You won't even notice the slightest change dropping 500 to 100 except that you won't continue to increase in strength. You'll level off and possibly lose 5-10%.

I was speaking from experince, as an older lifter myself who has no need for TRT. I also have a couple of training buddys in there 50s, one at 57....neither of them cycle, both have abs and lift harder then most guys on here I would say. I did not see his Test numbers, I advised that he get his numbers before making a choice. To many of you meatheads (no names) are looking to jump on TRT without a need for it.
Also I don't think it is something to self medicate, there are other issues that need to be monitiered.
Key point in his post for me was- First Cycle!
You finished looking like a fool?

[Cravenmorehead]

Sadly, there's no easy answer for us old dudes. I went off the obvious clinical signs of low test and high cortisol. I had low energy, motivation, libido, high abdominal fat combined with a stressful job. Most docs would call it "depression" and stick me on an SSRI......so i could get fatter and be anorgasmic to boot. Been there, done that. This cycle and results have been a godsend for me. I'm sticking with my plan and will see how the strength gains hold up. Certainly couldn't be any worse than what I had, and my wife says I look great.....

[MR10X]

I would get off the steroids completely,your body will react better to them when you do use them.Use PCT and let your body normalize itself. You will loose a little but i normally cycle my training anyway. I use to do 3 cycles a year but now i do 2 longer cycles per year. Right now i am doing 300mg Test E,300mg EQ,and 150mg Tren A every three days,i keep my body fat between 8 and 10%. My libido is ok when im off steroids,not bad for my age,a little Cialis helps but of course its nothing like being on a cycle. I tend to train harder when i am on a cycle because i know i have too,off cycle i train easy and let my body recoup. I have been doing steroids off and on since 1980,been back training seriouly the last 2 years.I believe you need highs and lows in your life,sometimes you dont have a choice but having lows makes the highs that much better.I dont plan on doing TRT if i dont have to,i still have all my hair and nobody believes i am 65 years old....

[nhl1]

I was speaking from experince, as an older lifter myself who has no need for TRT. I also have a couple of training buddys in there 50s, one at 57....neither of them cycle, both have abs and lift harder then most guys on here I would say. I did not see his Test numbers, I advised that he get his numbers before making a choice. To many of you meatheads (no names) are looking to jump on TRT without a need for it.
Also I don't think it is something to self medicate, there are other issues that need to be monitiered.
Key point in his post for me was- First Cycle!
You finished looking like a fool?

Sorry, I wasn't trying to insult you or anybody else. Sometimes I get a little carried away on forums. My apologies.

I just don't see why it's suggested that a 54 year old who wants the benefits provided by testosterone therapy should go through the unpleasantness of coming off and running pct to only get back on as soon as he's done.

[MR10X]

If you dont mind staying on test for the rest of your life stay on it,even when you get to the point of not lifting any more for whatever reason. thats the mindset of younger people that dont have any plans in life down the road,they just live for now.....cruizing is the dumbest thing i have heard of,your body will only realize benifits of steroids for a while,if dont get off them for a while you wont get the full benifit from using them in the first place.

[Far from massive]

Maybe I'm just lucky then cuz I see and feel some nice changes in the last three weeks. And the 500mg dose hasn't kicked in yet. And I've put 9 lbs from my start at 174 lbs. Time will tell. My lifts are up 30% from when I started free weights about 15 weeks ago. Of course I've never lifted before so maybe the gains should be expected. Anyways my goals are modest. Obviously not chargin' like a 20-something

Denizen, I think you misunderstood my post, I am not saying that at 50+ you will not see great gains from a cycle. Just the opposite you will see fantastic gains since if your body is used to having a low test level and you load it with 4-5 times a physiologic level of test then it will respond fantastically. What I was pointing out is that if your base test score (precycle) is on the low side of normal for your age then you will have a great deal of difficulty holding the gains once the cycle is over. Hence the reccomendation of checking your test scores precycle or 3 or even better 6 months after a cycle to make sure you really do need TRT before just beginning it since it sounds like fun.

As far as MR10X'z feelings about not being able to make gains if you are on TRT because the body needs change, I agree the body needs change to make big gains it also needs a base test level to hold them. Hence if you base test levels are below normal or even in the bottom 3rd of the range for a 50 yr old and you substitute with a level of test that restores you to the upper end of natural limits ( "TRT" any other constant use of test that results in a higher value is not TRT its just staying on cycle) then you will indeed see gains and change when you go from a base level of test to 5 times that. I do agree with you that lots of people cruising are not going to see the gains they seek when on cycle since they are maintaining at a supraphysiologic level of test. However these people are not on TRT no matter what they call it themselves.

[Far from massive]

I was speaking from experince, as an older lifter myself who has no need for TRT. I also have a couple of training buddys in there 50s, one at 57....neither of them cycle, both have abs and lift harder then most guys on here I would say. I did not see his Test numbers, I advised that he get his numbers before making a choice. To many of you meatheads (no names) are looking to jump on TRT without a need for it.
Also I don't think it is something to self medicate, there are other issues that need to be monitiered.
Key point in his post for me was- First Cycle!
You finished looking like a fool?

The movie Platoon, Sgt. Elias to Terraj:

Terraj, take a break! You don't have to be a prick every day of you life, you know.

[MR10X]

I found out you need to cycle your training and your steroids to keep making gains.You cant keep training for months on end and expect to keep making gains,you need to take a break and give your body a rest.You are going to loose some of your gains when you train less intensly. train hard for 3 months take a week or 2 off so you dont get burned out and let your body recoup. start back training lightly and gradually increase the intensity.You need to

[MR10X]

"As far as MR10X'z feelings about not being able to make gains if you are on TRT because the body needs change, I agree the body needs change to make big gains it also needs a base test level to hold them. Hence if you base test levels are below normal or even in the bottom 3rd of the range for a 50 yr old and you substitute with a level of test that restores you to the upper end of natural limits ( "TRT" any other constant use of test that results in a higher value is not TRT its just staying on cycle) then you will indeed see gains and change when you go from a base level of test to 5 times that. I do agree with you that lots of people cruising are not going to see the gains they seek when on cycle since they are maintaining at a supraphysiologic level of test. However these people are not on TRT no matter what they call it themselves."

I agree You can only train so long and see progress,you need to give your body and mind a rest.Staying at a high level of test and cruizing is not the way to do it,you can acomplish the same thing on much lower doses. Take a break give your joints a rest,you can mentally burn out also.At 50 and 60 my body doesnt recouperate like it did at 30 and 40 even on steroids. It only makes sense to me to cycle your steroids and training. I find i get much better results cycling and letting my body normalize,i dont really feel that bad off steroids and enjoy the break and look foward to starting a cycle after a good break. Kevin Levrone says he even took a week or 2 off while he was training for the Mr Olympia if he needed it.

[terraj]

The movie Platoon, Sgt. Elias to Terraj:

Terraj, take a break! You don't have to be a prick every day of you life, you know.

I'm sorry if I offended you princess.

[Hazard]

Here's my take.....

You started a cycle at an older range age...... you feel great..... you're making gains...... and as long as it's not unhealthy for you to be on TRT - you should doit. You should definately see an HRT doc and get everything checked out. If he approves your TRT is see no reason to not doit. Whether you get presciption test or UGL doesn't matter as long as it's good quality. My father is 49 and has been on trt for about 1 1/2-2 years...... and his body mass has DEFINATELY increased and he feels great. He gets checked by his HRT doc every 3 months and so far all his bloodwok has been great. He runs cycles between his trt..... He drops the dose back down to 200-250 before he needs to get his bloodwork done. So far so good - he's 5'8 236lbs and in good health. If you can get on it and don't have other health problems..... i'd doit.

~Haz~

[5x10]

do it, better quality of life

i know a 69 yr old power lifter, guy is still big, about 200lbs
he stays on deca year round for the joints, and runs some test every now and then

[Far from massive]

I'm sorry if I offended you princess.

Did not offend me at all, the only thing you may have said aimed at me was that you don't feel its a good idea to self medicate TRT and that's fine with me for many its probably is a very poor decision. What I find innapropriate is that you consistently come on and insult other board members calling them things like Meathead, Moron and Fool. Not that I necessarily agree with what the others had posted I just don't see any reason for comments like that and feel that it’s kind of out of place on a non flaming board.

[terraj]

Did not offend me at all, the only thing you may have said aimed at me was that you don't feel its a good idea to self medicate TRT and that's fine with me for many its probably is a very poor decision. What I find innapropriate is that you consistently come on and insult other board members calling them things like Meathead, Moron and Fool. Not that I necessarily agree with what the others had posted I just don't see any reason for comments like that and feel that it’s kind of out of place on a non flaming board.

Dear Richard,

Take look at my past posts and see how many times I have called names, you will find it very few. I've never used the name Moron on anyone, as for Meathead...if you did not notice the name was used on me first, I just returned it.

Now pull your head in fool!

All the best

Terraj

[calstate23]

Still like I posted earlier I would not drop dose. Taking steroids is no different then any other pharmaceutical drug. Your doctor doesn't start you off on a massive dose and then stop you cold turkey to shock the fu*k out of your body.

This is COMMON SENSE here and no one should be advising this guy to DRAMATICALLY and RANDOMLY drop to a super low dose out of the blue.....Especially when he is responding well to it..If you want to start weaning yourself off then fine but don't just slam a super low dose...Finish your cycle and if you want to EXPERIMENT with low dosages try it at the beginning of your next cycle

[DeniZen]

UPDATE I decided not to cruise after my very first cycle. But TRT is in my future. I finished my cycle and completed 4 week PCT. I gained 21 lbs. on cycle. During pct I lost 10 lbs quickly but stabilized after about 3 weeks..kept eating and training! BW just came back I'm gtg with improvement in some areas. Keep in mind I was pre-diabetic when I started training...a fat slob in very poor health. So BW will keep improving. Another cycle is in the works....

[dec11]

I was speaking from experince, as an older lifter myself who has no need for TRT. I also have a couple of training buddys in there 50s, one at 57....neither of them cycle, both have abs and lift harder then most guys on here I would say. I did not see his Test numbers, I advised that he get his numbers before making a choice. To many of you meatheads (no names) are looking to jump on TRT without a need for it.
Also I don't think it is something to self medicate, there are other issues that need to be monitiered.
Key point in his post for me was- First Cycle!
You finished looking like a fool?

quite true, i shot in the dark and only recently found out how messed up my estro was, the doc agreed to monitor me but im responsible for my own gear. so its an official trt of sorts, i guess.

NHL1, for someone here from 2007, that was an idiotic post. loved the attempt to edit and hide it though lmao

[CLAYWILKES]

great pics, quite an improvement! I agree with you to level out after your first cycle, I don't think you'll be any worse off.... Seeing as though you made some life style changes you may want to hold off on trt for the time being to see where you can get all natty. I'd start trt when you are 100% ready, big decision. It seems as though your doc buddy can be of help but even if not simply being monitored and supplying your own gear isn't going to cost squat. I'll do the latter of the two when the time comes. my 2c

keep up the good work

[yungone501]

Wow wtf is up with the 2 kids on here crying like they just got their asses busted?

Oh, and the whole "he called me a meathead first!"...lmao, wow!

Like a bigass daycare this place has become.