1st Cycle, Test only, Opinions Welcome!

[mussina123]

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

[Mr.BB]

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

[michael30]

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

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

[Mr.BB]

^^^ Agreed, thats the wisest way

[mussina123]

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

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

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

[Back In Black]

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

[mussina123]

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

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

[Back In Black]

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

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

[mussina123]

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

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)

[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?

[mussina123]

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?

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

[hawk14dl]

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

[thisAngelBites]

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

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.

[mussina123]

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

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.

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

[Back In Black]

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

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

[mussina123]

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

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

[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.

[mussina123]

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.

"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

[mussina123]

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??

[uhit]

Why was the test range dropped on the second test?

[mussina123]

Why was the test range dropped on the second test?

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

[Back In Black]

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

[mussina123]

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

Thanks for the suggestion man, I just did!