Steroid Question: Will I go back to "normal" after a cycle ?

[SH1967]

Hello,

Sorry if this is a basic question but this is a starting point for me. I imagine this question has been discussed before

I keep hearing that if I do a cycle of steroids I will not go back to my pre cycle testosterone level. I am in my late forties. I don't want to do anything that might affect libido/testosterone levels when I am not on a cycle. The idea was just to enhance without taking any risks that I might go backwards in those areas without being on steroids.

I have also heard that if I do things "right" and come off of them the proper way, there should not be any problems. That sounds good to me.

Thanks!

[The Deadlifting Dog]

There is always a risk.

[Bio-Active]

Like stated you need to understand the risks going in. Some recover fine after a cycle and some do not

[SH1967]

Thanks for the responses!

OK, so there is a risk. I wonder if it is high or low and if there any keys to why some recover fine and others don't. Is it genetics or doing lower amounts or something else ?

Thanks!

[numbere]

Thanks for the responses!

OK, so there is a risk. I wonder if it is high or low and if there any keys to why some recover fine and others don't. Is it genetics or doing lower amounts or something else ?

Thanks!

The risk of not regaining HPTA functionality increases with every cycle.

This has a lot to do with genetics, age and choice of cycle.

For example Asian men are the least effective at metabolizing nolva. This would make PCT less effective.

Others shut down their HPTA for long periods or cycle too young.

From my short time with this forum it seems the risk is high and TRT is inevitable if you cycle regularly or make poor choices.

[ScotchGuard02]

You have to weigh the pros/cons of cycling. If you cycle you get nice muscles but you could lower or lose your libido. Is that worth it? The problem with cycling is that there is no way to know if you'll get negative sides until you run the cycle, then it's too late.

[kelkel]

You should start with full Blood Work at your age to establish baselines. At the top of the HRT Forum is the "Finding A Doc" sticky thread. Use the first set of blood work listed there. Then you can better assess whether it's time for a cycle or possibly even TRT.

[SH1967]

You should start with full Blood Work at your age to establish baselines. At the top of the HRT Forum is the "Finding A Doc" sticky thread. Use the first set of blood work listed there. Then you can better assess whether it's time for a cycle or possibly even TRT.

What is the difference between doing a cycle and TRT ? I am assuming less dosage with TRT versus a steroid cycle ?

So based on info so far, more than likely , schwarzenegger, stallone, canseco all must be on TRT for life ?

[kelkel]

What is the difference between doing a cycle and TRT ? I am assuming less dosage with TRT versus a steroid cycle ?

So based on info so far, more than likely , schwarzenegger, stallone, canseco all must be on TRT for life ?

A cycle is a much larger dose for a set duration of time with the goal being to come off and restart your HPTA resuming your bodies endogenous testosterone production. TRT is a much lower, healthier dose meant to restore youthful levels of testosterone for life, with minimal to no deleterious effects.

No doubt they are on TRT by this time. It's simply a fact of aging. Everyone will be on it, or should be, sometime in their life as natural testosterone levels lessen over time. Then throw in so many others things that can excerbate the suppression of endogenous test. Just makes sense to get good blood work baselines. Re the stars mentioned Stallone is well known for his GH use and Canseco is a proponent of AAS.

[SH1967]

A cycle is a much larger dose for a set duration of time with the goal being to come off and restart your HPTA resuming your bodies endogenous testosterone production. TRT is a much lower, healthier dose meant to restore youthful levels of testosterone for life, with minimal to no deleterious effects.

Do the HPTA levels come back to pre TRT levels if someone needs to come off TRT ? I know it is meant for life. However if there is a financial, insurance coverage, medical or another unforseen reason I would like to know. I would like to only enhance but be able to return to pre TRT levels if stopping for whatever reason.

No doubt they are on TRT by this time. It's simply a fact of aging. Everyone will be on it, or should be, sometime in their life as natural testosterone levels lessen over time. Then throw in so many others things that can excerbate the suppression of endogenous test. Just makes sense to get good blood work baselines. Re the stars mentioned Stallone is well known for his GH use and Canseco is a proponent of AAS.

What is the cost for the blood work needed ?

Does insurance typically cover this ? ( I notice the testosterone gels and testosterone injections as a covered Rx on my insurance. Not sure if this is for TRT or something else)

What is the cost for the TRT injections/gels/HGH or whatever else may be needed ?

How do I find a Dr. that will prescribe this ? I understand many will say it is not needed if levels are medium to low. Some Dr.'s will not prescribe because it is not part of their practice.

Thanks!

[kelkel]

Do the HPTA levels come back to pre TRT levels if someone needs to come off TRT ? I know it is meant for life. However if there is a financial, insurance coverage, medical or another unforseen reason I would like to know. I would like to only enhance but be able to return to pre TRT levels if stopping for whatever reason.



What is the cost for the blood work needed ?

Does insurance typically cover this ? ( I notice the testosterone gels and testosterone injections as a covered Rx on my insurance. Not sure if this is for TRT or something else)

What is the cost for the TRT injections/gels/HGH or whatever else may be needed ?

How do I find a Dr. that will prescribe this ? I understand many will say it is not needed if levels are medium to low. Some Dr.'s will not prescribe because it is not part of their practice.

Thanks!

No one can definitively answer that. Simply know that the longer your HPTA is shut down the less likely you have full recovery. Even one steroid cycle can negatively impact your endogenous levels. It's the nature of the beast. When it comes to cost, a bottle of test at Costco can cost around $40 if memory serves me correctly. At 100 mgs per week that's 20 weeks worth. Quite cheap.

If TRT is a legitimate need then insurance would cover it. To what extent depends on your policy. Yes, if your policy says gels and injections then it's for TRT. There are private labs available in the states where you can choose your own blood work and get it done very inexpensively at any Labcorp or elsewhere. Been a while since I've looked but a guess would be maybe 2-300 bucks for what you'd need to get by.

Most doc's will prescribe some type of TRT. Issue is finding one that will treat you by how you feel and not as a number on a chart. Best advice I can give you is to get full BW like I mentioned a few posts up and have insurance cover it. Do it as a physical and simply ask your doc to use the list you provide. Then and only then can you fully assess whether you need TRT or if something else is suppressing your natural levels.

[SH1967]

If TRT is a legitimate need then insurance would cover it. To what extent depends on your policy. Yes, if your policy says gels and injections then it's for TRT. There are private labs available in the states where you can choose your own blood work and get it done very inexpensively at any Labcorp or elsewhere. Been a while since I've looked but a guess would be maybe 2-300 bucks for what you'd need to get by.

What is the "blood work" test called that I should ask for ?

Is there anything to add to the blood work that is needed that is sometimes left out ?

Most doc's will prescribe some type of TRT. Issue is finding one that will treat you by how you feel and not as a number on a chart. Best advice I can give you is to get full BW like I mentioned a few posts up and have insurance cover it. Do it as a physical and simply ask your doc to use the list you provide. Then and only then can you fully assess whether you need TRT or if something else is suppressing your natural levels.

Is "full blood work" what I should ask for, or is there a name for the type of test needed. I am mainly concerned about testosterone levels and TRT.

What do you mean use the "list" I provide ? What is the list ?

I was thinking I would go to a urologist for this type of test, as I have went to him before for suspected BPH and that seems like the right type of Dr., does this sound correct ?

Thanks!

[kelkel]

Read this link for Blood Work as referenced in post #7:

http://forums.steroid.com/hormone-re...physician.html

You need full blood work to assess if other things are suppressing your natural production. Just checking T levels is insufficient and border-line nonfeasance were a doctor to do only that, imho. I would assume you would want to know why levels are low and correct the issue if possible, not just put a band aid on it.

A Uro would be my choice as well, but the main thing is that the doctor understand hormones. Title really doesn't matter.

[Proximal]

I'm just curious, at your age, what your goals are with this, perhaps that could guide you better as to cycles, TRT, or both. Awesome advice up there btw, doesn't get any better, you stuck gold.

[TexasManDan]

Good read. Wish I had found that four years ago, would have same me a lot of time and trouble!

[SH1967]

I'm just curious, at your age, what your goals are with this, perhaps that could guide you better as to cycles, TRT, or both. Awesome advice up there btw, doesn't get any better, you stuck gold.

My goals are to be healthy. If my testosterone levels are lower than they should be I want to increase them. I will say I believe they are down as I notice and see changes.

I'd like the libido boost as I have a younger wife, lol. Not as concerned with getting in physical shape although I need to do that, and that would be an added benefit.

So I have some conflicting things going on. I don't want to do any harm though as in sinking any lower in testosterone after coming off TRT or a cycle. I guess if doing this stuff for life was fairly easy and affordable then that would shape how I view things. The testosterone cost sounds reasonable with a RX if it is $40 bucks a bottle. I will always need a Dr. that can prescribe though. I worry about what I do when I am 60 though, as in is this feasable to sustain either doing cycles or maintaining the TRT. Maybe I am thinking too far ahead.

Thanks!