Steroids at 60+ years old

[thephoenix25]

Hi Guys,

New questions :

The topic of my intention to dabble with steroids has come up in conversation more than once with my friend who is also interested to see what gain he could make. So I'd be very grateful if you could give us some advice on a cycle that could be appropriate for him.

I feel with what I've learnt I could put together a reasonable "first cycle" for somebody my age, but I wouldn't know any special consideration with someone his age. Here are his stats :

62 y/o
5ft 7in
170lbs
~18-20% bf (difficult to be accurate, has some loose skin and abdominal fat)
Lifts 3 times a week (regular 3 way split)
Training seriously for ~2 years
No history of heart problems
Had recent (basic) blood test and liver, kidney, cholesterol etc all came back normal.

We plan to cycle together in about 2-3 months, so until then he will be slowly cutting bf.

My guess would be a cycle same as mine but lower dosed, something like :

12 weeks
350mg p/w test e
AI, HCG

PCT nov & clom

He was looking at Anavar for accelerated weight loss, but have ruled out an Anavar only cycle on advice from members here, but would consider Anavar + test, but I know the general rule is test only for first cycle.

If anyone could advise us on a safe approach considering his age and any other factors we may not have thought of.

[bobtail]

Is he on TRT? I would think at his age it would be a must. I'm 57 and have been on TRT for 5 or 6 years. Seems to me that would be the first place to start before doing a cycle. Maybe get his test level in a normal range for a younger person which will take a few months. Just a suggestion.

[thephoenix25]

No he is not on TRT and has never felt that his natural test production was low. He has normal libedo (perhaps even above average for his age libedo) and is already bald, so MPB won't be a problem. No obvious signs of gyno or estrogen sensitivity.

We will both be getting bloods before, during and after. The bloods before will be in the next few weeks. This will be the first time either of us have had a testosterone blood test so the results will make for interesting reading and comparisons.

[Bonaparte]

Poor idea. If his test levels are fine and his quality of life is good, he should leave well enough alone. At his age, the strain from a steroid cycle could have disastrous consequences.

[Mockingbird]

if he still decides to cycle, then only by expert supervision and regular delivery of analyzes

[thephoenix25]

Hi,
Thanks for the input, but I was hoping for a more in depth discussion about the pros and cons. With respect, "No.... 'cos you're old" doesn't help us to evaluate the risks verses the benefits. I am fairly aware after reading this and many other sites about the implications of myself as a 37 y/o male doing a "first cycle" but I'd like to know more about the implications of someone of this age (62) attempting a first cycle.

[MuscleInk]

Hi,
Thanks for the input, but I was hoping for a more in depth discussion about the pros and cons. With respect, "No.... 'cos you're old" doesn't help us to evaluate the risks verses the benefits. I am fairly aware after reading this and many other sites about the implications of myself as a 37 y/o male doing a "first cycle" but I'd like to know more about the implications of someone of this age (62) attempting a first cycle.

At any age there are a number of concerns/risks that one should be aware of. With men advancing in their years the same concerns apply but could be more of a factor depending on pre-existing health constraints. The following would be areas of particular vigilance IMO if choosing an anabolic cycle:

- impaired lipid metabolism resulting in hypercholesterolemia/hyperlipidemia
- changes to hemaglobin, RBC volume and width (possible thickening of blood and clot risks)
- benign prostatic hyperplasia due to reduction of testosterone to DHT
- myalgia (muscle pain)
- arthralgia (joint pain)
- liver function
- kidney function

[thephoenix25]

Hi MuscleInk,
Thanks for the reply, your answer is much more the type of info I was looking for.

Is there any evidence to suggest that returning to a natural/normal HPTA balance and testosterone production after PCT is any more difficult in an older man?

[Euroholic]

Take him to see a endo.

[MuscleInk]

Hi MuscleInk,
Thanks for the reply, your answer is much more the type of info I was looking for.

Is there any evidence to suggest that returning to a natural/normal HPTA balance and testosterone production after PCT is any more difficult in an older man?

It varies across men and I haven't seen any epidemiological data to suggest the risk is greater with age. The main effect with age is that testosterone production slows in an age-related manner. Shutting down the HTPA in a man with declining testosterone may result in attenuated recovery or post PCT levels that are below pre-cycle levels.

We have several members here under the age of 25 who cycle properly, once, and are now on TRT for life. It's impossible to predict who will as won't recovery properly. Being younger and cycling properly may lend itself to better recovery, but there are no guarantees.

If he's over 60 and really wants to cycle, point out the risks to him, have blood work done before during and after and monitor his overall health response including blood pressure as steroids have a tendency to elevate BP and lead to hypertension in many men.

[thephoenix25]

Thanks very much for the help, just one last question :

Do you think that reducing the test dose from 500mg to 350mg will yield and reduced risk / improved recovery? Or would it just be reducing his chances of optimum results with negligible reduction in risk?

[MuscleInk]

Thanks very much for the help, just one last question :

Do you think that reducing the test dose from 500mg to 350mg will yield and reduced risk / improved recovery? Or would it just be reducing his chances of optimum results with negligible reduction in risk?

Any exogenous dose of testosterone will suppress the HTPA. 300mg/wk is about the lowest cycling dose.

The advantage of a lower dose however, is that the side effects should be more manageable and less severe. If he really insists on cycling you may want to start with 300mg/wk and see how he does with it.

Again, with any age, one must understand the risks on and off cycle. 60+ year old men need to consider cardiac and prostate health as primary issues, since these factors become risks with advancing age. If your dad is in excellent health, understands the risks and the possibility that post cycle testosterone levels may remain lower than pre-cycle levels, he will be better prepared to make an informed decision.

Other factors to bare in mind when making his decision:
- current overall health
- nutritional plan (how healthy is his present diet)
- current body fat (lower is better to minimize risks)
- mobility and exercise (frequency, duration, intensity)
- basic understanding of how hormones, what they do, etc.)

The last point is of particular value. Hormones in our body regulate many fundamental processes including but not limited to: sleep, wakefulness, cognition, mood, appetite, digestion, immune system function, sex drive, and more. Increasing or decreasing the normal ranges of hormones available for these function can and often does have various affects.

Again, just food for thought as part of an informed decision.

[jimmyz2]

At 61 y.o., 5'10" 225lbs with a little stomach fat (when I suck it in I look like I have a 4 pack. ) I started my low first test.E cycle (150) a week. Before test. replacement all my blood work was great, except not happy with 300 test count. After 1 month on my 1st cycle, test. shot up to 1500+. So, I stopped cold, plus with a death in the family from cancer. Also test. flu and pain from pinning helped me decide to quit. After 2 months and lost the 15 lbs of water and some muscle, I tried test. prop. Same pain and swelling with flu systems for 2 days. So, quit cold again for 1 month. Did some reading and 2 weeks ago tried another brand, and viola! no pain, no swollen knots and no flu for several days. Will give it a go on test cyp. on 250 a week for a cycle, and nothing else. I am doing my research on my next cycle after I get blood work done. I have been lifting since 15 y.o. for football with bodybuilding and Olympic lifting, now just bodybuilding. I did take the 80's off to party after college. I was fairly strong before my 1st cyle, but (eg) added around 10-15 lbs to my db flat bench (110x8 to 120x8 4 sets). I did 400lb. barbell bench in my 30's. Now about 315lbsx3. I might add primo, don't know yet. Not worried about my sperm count or small balls, as they are still same size. Do like the more frequent erections in morning (correction-my gf likes ). Thanks for this site and member input.

[Mr.BB]

Hi Jimmyz2, welcome.

What do you mean by "..., test. shot up to 1500+." ?

[kelkel]

Jimmy have you considered hormone replacement first?

[jstone]

Hi Jimmyz2, welcome.

What do you mean by "..., test. shot up to 1500+." ?

Im pretty sure he means when he had his bloodwork done. He probably got the capped total test which only shows test levels up to 1500 then you get the > 1500 result if its over.