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Research done, questions asked, advice taken so how does this look?
Got too much time on my hands so put it in a spreadsheet!
24 (25 in August)
5ft 11
106kg
Bf: approx 17% (cutting between now and cycle start to drop this)
Years training: 9 (6 consistently)
Attachment 133271
Hey frontrow.
Only change I would make is drop the dbol. You dont need it for your first cycle. Run a few Test only cycles and then start introducing secondary compounds. That way you learn how your body reacts to test as it will be your base for all future cycles.
For PCT I prefer clomid 100/50/50/50 and nolva 40/20/20/20 and you can take your AI up to pct.
Austinite said it already.Quote:
Originally Posted by austinite
U beat me to it lol x2 ^^^ ai till day b4 pct.
Cheers guys! Quick question HCG and AI on the same day as Test or on different days?
AI is every other day. HCG you can do same day as your test E.Quote:
Originally Posted by Frontrow12
good cycle :) and I agree with austinite, but I normally don't shoot HCG till my nuts start shrinking for the sole purpose to know if its working or not, and I always love to kick off with an oral, because test normally only kicks in after 4-6 weeks, and dbol gives instant satisfaction, so even if you get side effects you'll know it's the dbol and not the test causing it so you can just drop the dbol,
Quick question to anyone who may be out there! Armidex or Aromasin for AI?
**Most Common Beginners Cycles**
http://forums.steroid.com/showthread....#.UJZv62fX_fs
ArimidexQuote:
Originally Posted by Frontrow12
Arimidex (Anastrozole) is what we call an aromatase inhibitor (AI). In clinical use, it’s used to halt the progression of Breast Cancer in women. It works by blocking the aromatase enzyme, which is responsible for the production of estrogen. In athletics and bodybuilding, it is used as an ancillary compound to be added to a cycle of Anabolic Steroids. In this respect it is also used for its estrogen reducing properties, but it has the additional benefit of increasing testosterone levels, as we’ll see...
Arimidex Side Effects
Many anabolic steroids aromatize (convert to estrogen via the aromatase enzyme), and this is responsible for many of the unwanted side effects found with anabolic steroid use (acne, gynecomastia, water-retention...etc). In one study, both .5mg and 1mg doses of Arimidex were shown to decrease estrogen by roughly 50%. The 1mg/day dose also increased testosterone levels by 58%. In that same study, in both groups, LH and FSH also went up slightly.
This would seem to suggest that for use during a cycle, a dose of .5mgs/day would be sufficient to combat estrogen-related side effects. It is, however, important to remember that some estrogen is necessary to obtain optimal muscle growth. The lower estrogen levels provided by Arimidex seems, anecdotally at least, to produce a more "hard" and "quality" look for bodybuilders who have experimented with it’s use in either a cutting or bulking cycle.
I´d like to point out that the elevation in Testosterone provided by Arimidex is so large that it can be used as a "form" of testosterone replacement therapy for hypogonadal men. Clearly, this suggests its use in a post-cycle-therapy (as well as its previously discussed use within a cycle) to regain natural testosterone levels and full functioning of the HPTA (Hypothalamic-Testicular-Pituitary-Axis).
Literature provided by the original maker of Anastrozole (Arimidex, produced by Zeneca Pharmaceuticals) states that stable blood plasma concentrations of the compound are achieved after a mere 7 consecutive 1mg daily doses. Also, Arimidex is just over 80% effective at inhibiting aromatase. Thus, if you want to take it for the entire duration of a cycle of anabolic steroids, you can simply start taking it on the same day you begin your cycle. Those are some pretty good numbers, huh?
But can you use it for the entire duration of a cycle? Is it dangerous? Well, certainly reducing estrogen levels in your body is good from a body building point of view, as it reduces water-retention and the potential for gynecomastia (if there’s no estrogen in your body, you can’t get gyno, regardless of how much progesterone is floating around). Luckily this stuff is very mild on blood lipids (cholesterol) and doesn’t affect them adversely, in the studies I’ve seen.
Arimidex and Cholesterol
As previously mentioned, those lowered estrogen levels could possibly (eventually) adversely affect your cholesterol and possibly even your immune function. I am, however, very comfortable recommending Arimidex for relatively long-term use. This should be the ancillary compound of choice for those on long and heavy cycles, especially since it also doesn’t inhibit IGF like some other ancillary compounds (insulin-like-growth-factor is an important component of anabolism).
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Aromasin
Aromasin (Exemestane) is a steroidal suicide aromatase inhibitor, which means that it lowers estrogen production in the body by blocking the aromatase enzyme, the enzyme responsible for estrogen systemization.
This stuff was developed to fight breast cancer in post-menopausal women, who need a particularly aggressive therapy, and for whom first line defenses such as SERMS (Tamoxifen) have not worked. This should be our first clue in inferring that this stuff is pretty strong, or at least stronger than some of the other compounds which are used to fight breast cancer.
Aromasin Side Effects
Aromasin averages an 90%+ rate of estrogen suppression, so it’s clearly a very effective agent for bodybuilders and other athletes wanting to avoid estrogen related side effects such as gyno, acne, or water-retention brought on by aromatizing steroids. Specifically, Exemestane dose this by selectively inhibiting aromatase activity in a time-dependent and irreversible manner.
As with most of the compounds in this class, it also causes a reasonable rise in testosterone levels. And as you may have guessed, this rise in testosterone means that Exemestane can also cause androgenic sides. Exemestane is very effective at both lowering estrogen (estradiol) and raising testosterone:
Estrogen and androgen plasma levels after 10 days of daily exemestane (25 or 50 mg) in healthy young males (mean ± SD; n = 9-11). To convert to System International units: estradiol, Pico moles per liter (x3.671); estrone, picomoles per liter (x3.699); androstenedione, nanomoles per liter (*0.003492); and testosterone, nanomoles per liter (x0.03467).
So we can see that 25mgs is a very effective dose from that chart, right? As an added benefit, exemestane not only increases testosterone and lowers estrogen, but it also increases IGF levels. Additionally worth noting is that Aromasin may possibly be less harsh on blood lipids than some of the other (similar) compounds we use in the world of bodybuilding or athletics. It also has, at best, no effect on IGF. And at worst, could lower it. AI´s are very tricky with regards to inconsistencies in IGF levels. Unfortunately, you need to take Exemestane for a week to reach steady blood plasma levels of it, and Exemestane has a terminal half-life of`10 hours in MEN.
Aromasin and Cholesterol
The ability of exemestane to lower estrogen levels by the aforementioned 90% makes it a very nice choice for use in any cycle where aromatizing steroids are used. In addition, since it’s not too harsh at all on blood lipid profiles, it’s a very good choice for longer cycles. It’s ability to raise both testosterone levels also seem to suggest that it would be a very nice addition to a Post-Cycle-Therapy.
Don't know why I didn't just refer back to the beginners cycle post...concentration lapse! Thanks for the guidance as always!