When to up my doses again?

[Bloodyshins]

Last year I finally got some blood work done, hadn't used anabolics in about 3 years prior. My big number test was 380, my free was 1.3. My doctor was worried about the free number and prescribed androgel, it worked great and I felt awesome. Not tired anymore and training going well. So I decided to dip back into the oils again and after about 6 months of the gel ran a mix of the gel with 400mg a week of EQ. This went good, used it about 8 weeks like that. Then I cut the gel and went 400mg enanthate and 400mg EQ a week. Ran this for probably another 10 weeks... Maybe more. So I came off the oils and went back on just the gel... I have lost no gains, and actually gained and got stronger in the last two months of just being on the gel again. I did however increase my calories after, I was 220 and 11% (5'8" btw), now I'm 225 and 12.5%. Also, toward the end of that run I had some issues with soar nipples and got on nolvadex with good results.

So, a few questions.

My DR. says my PCT is gel. Good?

Second, how long should I give my body a "rest" between the higher dose "cycles"? I have two bottles of test waiting, and I'm going to get some deca to mix in with it.

Also, I just had blood work retaken to see where the gel brought my test back to this time and to check everything else.

[Knockout_Power]

gel PCT? definitely not. I doubt you could absorb enough to combat an actual cycle's worth of test. Get the real stuff and run a proper protocol.

As far as doses, if 400/wk is working for you, that is awesome, keep it in that range until you feel your gains are not as good and then up it slightly.

[Bloodyshins]

gel PCT? definitely not. I doubt you could absorb enough to combat an actual cycle's worth of test. Get the real stuff and run a proper protocol.

As far as doses, if 400/wk is working for you, that is awesome, keep it in that range until you feel your gains are not as good and then up it slightly.

So far with how I feel (two months later) the gel seems to have worked fine for PCT for me. Also like I said, lost no gains and actually gained 5 more pounds and have been hitting PR's in the gym weekly. My DR is pretty experienced at this... Let me ask you this, what is PCT for? Basically to get your natural test going again right? Well I'm getting my test from the gel, not my body anymore. When I first started the gel and had my levels re-checked they had climbed to around 1200 and a free of almost 20.

Also with the doses, I was running 800mg/wk. 400mg eq + 400mg enanthate. It worked great, but more would be nice.

[Knockout_Power]

dosage doesnt work like that, its not a combined total. You have to look at the individual compound to explain dosage because a combined 800/wk of what you are taking will not yeild the same results as 800 of straight test or 400 test/400deca or other combinations.

As for PCT, you are not running "PCT" per say. You are essentially on TRT which means you are not running PCT, you are on constant supply of exogenous test. Not the same thing. You are not actually restoring your body's natural level, you are supplimenting it to bring it up to an acceptable level.

[Bloodyshins]

dosage doesnt work like that, its not a combined total. You have to look at the individual compound to explain dosage because a combined 800/wk of what you are taking will not yeild the same results as 800 of straight test or 400 test/400deca or other combinations.

As for PCT, you are not running "PCT" per say. You are essentially on TRT which means you are not running PCT, you are on constant supply of exogenous test. Not the same thing. You are not actually restoring your body's natural level, you are supplimenting it to bring it up to an acceptable level.

Ok, thanks. What does TRT stand for? (testosterone repla***ent therapy?)

I guess my DR was using it like an analogy, someone was telling me that I need to use clomid or nolvadex and I just mentioned I was just going back on the gel after and it should be fine. They didn't like that idea, after talking to my DR he just explained it that none of that is necessary as I'm on HRT.

Thanks again, I'm going to eat my last meal and go to sleep!

[DGK]

I think i understand what you are saying and it kimda makes sense. Since you went from using gel, to gel/oil, to oil only and now that u have stopped using oil and are on gel only u havent really come off. You are still introducing artificial test or trt into your body. So calling it pct could confuse ppl but i get what your trying to say.

[stpete]

You're on a nice dosage right now. And if it's working, why try to fix it?

[Bloodyshins]

You're on a nice dosage right now. And if it's working, why try to fix it?

Right now I'm just on the gel... I know it's probably confusing how it's all clumped together in the paragraph above.

Started with just gel, January last year
Went on gel + 400mg/wk of EQ
Then went to 400mg/wk enanthate + 400mg/wk EQ
Now for two months back on just 4 pumps per day of androgel 1.62%

No, I'm never coming off of test. My quality of life with TRT (or HRT, whatever you prefer) is so much better.

But how often am I safe upping my doses and doing an actual cycle?

[DGK]

Whenever u want.. your already on hrt.. just do it like you were actually coming off.. run a cylce them come off for length off cycle plus pct time.. so a 12 week on cycle would give u a 18 week break (12 week cycle+ 6 week pct )

[Knockout_Power]

if you are running TRT/HRT you dont actually need to incorporate PCT time into the equation. Having said that, the longer you take between the cycles, the better the results will be on the same dosage.

I know a lot of guys on TRT that just do 12 on/12off and for the off times, just drop the weekly dose to 150-250/wk and when they get back on they run a little more than a standard beginner cycle. Seems to work well for them

[Bloodyshins]

if you are running TRT/HRT you dont actually need to incorporate PCT time into the equation. Having said that, the longer you take between the cycles, the better the results will be on the same dosage.

I know a lot of guys on TRT that just do 12 on/12off and for the off times, just drop the weekly dose to 150-250/wk and when they get back on they run a little more than a standard beginner cycle. Seems to work well for them

Good stuff, thanks!