1st Cycle, Test only, Opinions Welcome!

I've been thinking of my first cycle and want to get some critique, so that you can make me aware if I am missing anything. Here are my current stats:

I'm 25 years old male
5'4"" tall
140 lbs
15-17% body fat estimated.. (Would cut down before starting cycle for estrogen, insulin sensitivity, and to be in a overall better starting place)

I want to have a simple yet effective first cycle

I've been training since I was 19.. I've been consistently training to this day, I take all aspects seriously, any feedback of any sorts is welcome!

Here is my cycle proposal:

Week 1 to 12: Test E @ 400mg per week. (200mg twice weekly)
Week 1 to 12: hCG @ 250 IU twice weekly
Week 1 to 13: Aromasin@ as needed

Including
Fish oil (3g EFA)
600mg NAC/daily

For PCT I was thinking:

I'll take two weeks off after last injection and then PCT with Clomid @ 75/50/50/50 and Nolva @ 40/20/20/20

OR run a TRT dose because I recently got blood work (because I was tired and sluggish, no libido, and found out I have low T... 287ng/dL) it could be way lower but I still feel symptoms

Aromasin you need to take 12.5mgs per day, not as needed, and take till the day before PCT.

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Originally Posted by Mr.BB

Aromasin you need to take 12.5mgs per day, not as needed, and take till the day before PCT.

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Mr. BB I agree with you aromasin should be taking from beginning of cycle and not as needed. But I feel 12.5mg is just a starting point. Blood work should be done half way through cycle or a little before to make sure starting A.I dose is effective at keeping estrogen in range. Personally I find 25mg ED more effective(but will vary greatly depending on the dose and the individual) Just my 2 cents

^^^ Agreed, thats the wisest way

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Originally Posted by Mr.BB

Aromasin you need to take 12.5mgs per day, not as needed, and take till the day before PCT.

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Originally Posted by michael30

Mr. BB I agree with you aromasin should be taking from beginning of cycle and not as needed. But I feel 12.5mg is just a starting point. Blood work should be done half way through cycle or a little before to make sure starting A.I dose is effective at keeping estrogen in range. Personally I find 25mg ED more effective(but will vary greatly depending on the dose and the individual) Just my 2 cents

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Originally Posted by Mr.BB

^^^ Agreed, thats the wisest way

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thanks for the input guys... how does everything else look?

What tests have you had done to try and find the cause of your seemingly low Test levels?

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Originally Posted by Back In Black

What tests have you had done to try and find the cause of your seemingly low Test levels?

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got complete blood work done, test, free test, along with the hematology (WBC, RBC, etc..), LH, FSH

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Originally Posted by mussina123

got complete blood work done, test, free test, along with the hematology (WBC, RBC, etc..), LH, FSH

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Can you post the results including ranges? Were you sent for any follow up tests?

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Originally Posted by Back In Black

Can you post the results including ranges? Were you sent for any follow up tests?

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sure man..

test: 287 (348-1197 ng/dL)
free test: 10.7 (9.3-26.5 pg/mL)
LH: 2.4 (1.2-10.6 MIU/ML)
LSH: 2.7 (.7-10.8)
WBC: 4.8 (3.2-10.6)
RBC: 5.09 (3.85-5.62)
HCT: 44.9%
Estrogen: 66 (40-115 pg/mL)
Cortisol 24.15 (4.3-22.40 UG/DL)

No previous steroid or pro hormone use?

Your LH is low and your FSH is on the low side.

Were you sent for an MRI? Suffered any testicular trauma? Examined for varococles?

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Originally Posted by Back In Black

No previous steroid or pro hormone use? Your LH is low and your FSH is on the low side. Were you sent for an MRI? Suffered any testicular trauma? Examined for varococles?

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No use in the past... Yeah I was, I have a 4mm adenoma on my pituitary gland, but endo doesn't think that's affecting anything, got more blood work today so we shall see what happens

Cortisol is also high, which has an effect on test.

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Originally Posted by hawk14dl

Cortisol is also high, which has an effect on test.

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Agreed, when the body is often or perpetually in a state of high cortisol/high alert/possible danger, reproduction as a priority falls, and sex hormone production drops.

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Originally Posted by hawk14dl

Cortisol is also high, which has an effect on test.

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Originally Posted by thisAngelBites

Agreed, when the body is often or perpetually in a state of high cortisol/high alert/possible danger, reproduction as a priority falls, and sex hormone production drops.

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what would cause the high cortisol? I'm not overly stressed or anything like that.. got cortisol tested again this morning, so we shall see how it is

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Originally Posted by mussina123

what would cause the high cortisol? I'm not overly stressed or anything like that.. got cortisol tested again this morning, so we shall see how it is

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Possibly your adenoma. Look up Cushings Disease and see if that sounds like what symptoms you might have.

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Originally Posted by Back In Black

Possibly your adenoma. Look up Cushings Disease and see if that sounds like what symptoms you might have.

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I'd only say fatigue and low libido of the symptoms of that disease.. hmm

The cortisol was high - but not crazy high, which can happen sometimes with adenomas, so it's harder to say. Maybe you have an adenoma that is only secreting a bit of cortisol, or maybe it's an artifact of being late for your blood draw and dashing to get there, or being a little nervous around needles or something.

I raised it because if it's chronically slightly elevated due to stress it will carry on and create effects in lots of areas. It will likewise be bad for you if your adenoma is secreting a bit of cortisol raising levels generally.

Let's see what the new result is, maybe it will be fine.

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Originally Posted by thisAngelBites

The cortisol was high - but not crazy high, which can happen sometimes with adenomas, so it's harder to say. Maybe you have an adenoma that is only secreting a bit of cortisol, or maybe it's an artifact of being late for your blood draw and dashing to get there, or being a little nervous around needles or something.

I raised it because if it's chronically slightly elevated due to stress it will carry on and create effects in lots of areas. It will likewise be bad for you if your adenoma is secreting a bit of cortisol raising levels generally.

Let's see what the new result is, maybe it will be fine.

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"maybe" haha i sure hope it's gonna be fine.. but honestly nawh I was early for the blood, and needles don't bother me.. I'll be sure to post the updated results when I get them in a few days

Updated tests and results...

Endo's goal was after taking levothyroxine to get pituruaty working and producing more LH & FSH thus a higher testosterone level.. but after a month on the meds it doesn't really look like that happened... Any opinions on my test results??

Attachment 157958

Why was the test range dropped on the second test?

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Originally Posted by uhit

Why was the test range dropped on the second test?

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That's the confusing part... They were diff labs, but it shouldn't matter in the end right? its in the same units and everything.. ng/dL..

second time the overall number was lower, but in the "normal" range based on the other reference ranges.. but the first test was lower than the range

I'd post all these details in the hrt forum you will get some more specific advice.

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Originally Posted by Back In Black

I'd post all these details in the hrt forum you will get some more specific advice.

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Thanks for the suggestion man, I just did!