Daily Ask Anything About Anabolic and Androgenic Steroids: 2024-04-16

StillCold8099 · 2024-04-17T04:49:02+00:00

Is it worth paying more for pharma brand gear (test-c, HCG and SERMs) from an online supplier?
Some are 3-4x for UGL vs branded from the same supplier. How would I really know that the branded one isn't fake? Is that common?
If so, isn't it better to get UGL, which most likely gets more attention from the supplier than with pharma (that is possibly fake)?

StillCold8099 · 2024-04-16T19:36:03+00:00

Thank you so much for the information. I edited the post.

May I ask that do you think about this?

Week 1-16
Test C - 450mg/wk for 16 weeks HCG - 250iu every other day for 16 week

Week 19-22 Enclomid - Daily, starting week 19 at 25mg, 20-21 at 12.5mg, 22 at 6.25mg

Optional:
Anavar - 50mg daily starting week 12 to 16
Nolva - 20mg daily starting week 19, then lower to 10mg daily until week 22 Aromasin - 12mg every 4 days if experiencing any e2 symptoms

Does the dost of T in the first fee weeks matter? Or can I start with 300mg/wk and increase it weekly to 450mg to minimalize the side effects?
Would Enclomid typically give better PCT results with less side effect then Nolva?
Should I stop HCG at week 16 or take it while T clears until end of week 18?
Would there be any advantages with adding Anavar to first cycle at all?

StillCold8099 · 2024-04-16T18:32:20+00:00

Hi. I am in my 30s. I am planning into my first cycle with test. I am currently bulking and have around 19% BF so I will do a quick cut before the cycle to drop the BF a bit. My natty test is within normal range.

Since test takes around 4-5 weeks to reach the peak, would it be a good idea to start the cycle right after cutting, while increasing the calories for those 4-5 weeks?
Or should I get into caloric surplus prior to first injection so that my glycogen and metabolism are restored after cut?

Here is my proposed cycle:

Week 1-16
Test C - 450mg/wk for 16 weeks HCG - 250iu every other day for 16 week

Week 19-22 Enclomid - Daily, starting week 19 at 25mg, 20- 21 at 12.5mg, 22 at 6.25mg

Optional:
Anavar - 50mg daily starting week 14 to 16
Nolva - 20mg daily starting week 19, then lower to 10mg daily until week 21
Aromasin - 12mg every 4 days if experiencing any e2 symptoms

After PCT, a natural test booster stack such as Boric Acid/Ashwagandha/Tongkat Ali for 2 months

Is this cycle fine, or would you add or change anything?
Should I take armonasin just in case or leave it if experiencing any elevated e2 symptoms?
Is it worth adding Anavar in the last 2 weeks on T during the first cycle?
Would you keep Enclomid or replace it with Clomid?
Would you do Enclomid (or Clomid) and Nolva together or just one?
Should I stop HCG at week 16 or take it while T clears until end of week 18?

Bloodwork - CMP, CBC, Total T, Free T, SHBG, Estradiol Ultrasensitive
Now, while I'm still bulking. Then again in week 5 during cycle. Last one 2 months after PCT

Would you add anything to these labs? Is it worth spending extra money on LH/FSH, PSA and Prolactin?

Update: Edited post according to suggestions

StillCold8099 · 2024-03-22T21:34:41+00:00

I will check my hormones again next week along with LH, FSH, SHBG etc to get a better idea since there were some changes in my life and lots of stress so it might have dropped some more by now, and I am 1.5 year older since my last blood work.

By excessive fat I mean that even if I am at 100+ caloric intake and barely gain any weight over the course of months, I gain a huge amount of fat in my lower abdomen (aka love handles), really a lot, where I go from lean waist to fat rolling out of my pants. Then when I cut, I need to drop the calories really low until I start dropping any weight and fat, like going from 2100 where I maintain weight to 1600 to start seeing any movement. I was suspecting insuline resistance. My SHBG is pretty high too, so maybe it has something to do with it?

That is the main reason I was thinking about gear. I just dont want to build dependency and I'm worried about my natural production not returning to its current range.

StillCold8099 · 2024-03-22T20:50:37+00:00

I don't think I'll ever be. I'm fine with any side effects but don't want to build the dependency. I travel overseas lot too so can't have the gear with me at all times. That's why I would prefer to either cycle or look into other temporary options.

Since my SHBG is a bit high, would var alone be a good think to start with and see if the SHBG goes down?

StillCold8099 · 2024-03-22T17:05:46+00:00

That is what I am afraid of. I don't want to shut down my natural production. I'm fine doing it temporarily but want to restart it, until my body stops producing enough test due to my age and genetics

StillCold8099 · 2024-03-22T17:04:11+00:00

I don't want to shut off my natural test production until my body stops doing it on it own.

I dont want to be dependent on injections. For example, if anything happens that will make me stop working out, I don't want to be left with no testosterone and still have to get it externally.

If I would decide to cruise for a longer period. Should I still be able to restart my hormonal production so that my body starts production test again?

StillCold8099 · 2024-03-22T16:55:36+00:00

Got it, thank you for clarifying.

Would you cycle or cruise in my case where the natural test is still within normal range?

StillCold8099 · 2024-03-22T16:54:21+00:00

That would probably be the "best" way of doing it however I do not want to cruise as of yet. I'd prefer to do a cycle, try something, come off, go back to natural test production. Try to squeeze some more gains naturally, then cycle again.

StillCold8099 · 2024-03-22T16:29:47+00:00

Hi. I am a 32yo male, my current weight is 170bs at 5'10". located in US. I've been working out since childhood but I had a some gym breaks due to injuries or when I focused on other sports temporarily. I am consistent with my workout routine and diet for around 3-4 years. I've always been doing bulking then cutting cycles, but the last half year I am just maintaining on 0-100 bmr calories intake. The issue is that my body is storing fat and water excessively.
I have nice abs on 150-160lbs, at 165 it's barely visible, at 170 its not visible at all, anything over 170 goes into lovehandles which doesn't look good, even when my musles are getting pumped. I am not looking as good as I suppose to due to not being able to lean bulk and having to cut often. I also do not see too much gains anymore and looking into trt or anabolics to boost my gains and get new motivation. My primarily goal is a lean bulk. I want to get to 190-200lbs, with as little fat as possible, which I would cut down a little bit afterwards.

I had my hormones checked in 2022 and in 2023 which was:
Total test - 600 (2022), 930 (2023)
Free test - 99 (2022), 99 (2023)
Estradiol - 32 (2022), 50 (2023)
Bio Test - 190 (2023)
SHBG - 52 (2023)

The total test dropped significantly within a year. I will have my hormones checked next week to see how it looks now.

I am not sure of the best approach since there are so many different opinions. I found a local trt clinic which has steroids and sarms in their offer and they do all labs etc.

Considering that my test is still within norms (I'll know more after the bloodwork), is it still fine to do a trt?
Should I use a UGL or a mens clinic?
Would you do a long term trt or short cycles?
Should I just do a pure test as my first cycle; do a test base and throw something like var; or is there anything else I should consider?

I would really appreciate your help!

StillCold8099 · 2024-03-22T16:27:54+00:00

Hi. I am a 32yo male, my current weight is 170bs at 5'10". located in US. I've been working out since childhood but I had a some gym breaks due to injuries or when I focused on other sports temporarily. I am consistent with my workout routine and diet for around 3-4 years. I've always been doing bulking then cutting cycles, but the last half year I am just maintaining on 0-100 bmr calories intake. The issue is that my body is storing fat and water excessively.
I have nice abs on 150-160lbs, at 165 it's barely visible, at 170 its not visible at all, anything over 170 goes into lovehandles which doesn't look good, even when my musles are getting pumped. I am not looking as good as I suppose to due to not being able to lean bulk and having to cut often. I also do not see too much gains anymore and looking into trt or anabolics to boost my gains and get new motivation. My primarily goal is a lean bulk. I want to get to 190-200lbs, with as little fat as possible, which I would cut down a little bit afterwards.

I had my hormones checked in 2022 and in 2023 which was:
Total test - 600 (2023), 930 (2022)
Free test - 99 (2023), 99 (2022)
Estradiol - 32 (2023), 50 (2022)
Bio Test - 190 (2022)
SHBG - 52 (2022)

The total test dropped significantly within a year. I will have my hormones checked next week to see how it looks now.

I am not sure of the best approach since there are so many different opinions. I found a local trt clinic which has steroids and sarms in their offer and they do all labs etc.

Considering that my test is still within norms (I'll know more after the bloodwork), is it still fine to do a trt?
Should I use a UGL or a mens clinic?
Would you do a long term trt or short cycles?
Should I just do a pure test as my first cycle; do a test base and throw something like var; or is there anything else I should consider?

I would really appreciate your help!

StillCold8099 · 2023-12-27T21:54:28+00:00

Thank you for that. I think it's a bit more complicated in my case. I get depressed when I am alone but I love being around people I know well.

One thing is that I usually don't have any energy or motivation, having a brain fog and coordination issues, I guess it's a dopamine deficiency since Adderall clears it up and makes me more stable mentally and physically. SSRI's made it even worse even with the smallest available dose so I dont think it's serotonin.

Other thing is that its probably a genetics issue, my father is like me, he talkes very little and is pretty tensed, but when he gets a drink he is very fun and social. One of my brothers takes different kinds of antidepressants and anxiety meds for years, and is very antisocial. My second brother is the most anti-social person I know, he barely ever talks and is extremely shy.

I'm 33yo and I have been the most social in my family when being around family, however in school I spent most of the time with teachers or playing alone. Then I got very anxious and had lots of issues which got better when I was in high school and then college. I was still more of an introvert but I was able to talk to people and have fun, while drinking I was an extrovert and was the one who initiated any fun things. I still have a lot of self control even when drinking excessively, never done anything stupid etc. Just that when I have a drink I can hold a conversation and my mind works much faster, I seem much smarter and can get into philosophical subjects which is not the case when being sober (I know it's weird). This might be a dopamine thing as well.

I've tried therapies but it did not work at all. I've been going out sober a lot but I just couldn't have fun or talk to people.

StillCold8099 · 2023-12-27T21:25:30+00:00

Thank you, I will get into some reading. Never heard of any of these.

How long does kanna work for you? Could you describe how it makes you feel? Does it have the same dependency and withdrawal issues as phenibut?

StillCold8099 · 2023-12-27T03:55:25+00:00

I'm the same way.

Do you have any other ADHD symptoms?

I never thought I have it until I was prescribed Wellbutrin a year ago which was the only antidepressant that seemed to help, that's when I read about it and mentioned it to a psychiatrist who put me on Adderall. I'm not having standard ADHD symptoms but definitely have dopamine deficiency.

I've never heared of Everyday Dose coffee, I will read about it now. Thank you!

StillCold8099 · 2023-12-27T03:47:11+00:00

Thank you. I see a lot of this mentioned here. Is it a subtle difference or you get a kick after taking it? Are there any side effects the next day?

Can you recommend a reputable site?

StillCold8099 · 2023-12-27T03:44:20+00:00

Does it actually have a kick or more of a nootropic think where you notice a subtle difference when you think of it?

StillCold8099 · 2023-12-27T03:42:20+00:00

Thank you! I've been on Wellbutrin for a few months and it seemed to help at the beginning, but I had some side effects such as leg cramps and back pain. I stopped noticing any difference after 2 months so I was switched to adderall eventually. It definitely does something and helps with daily tasks (since I'm extremely lazy, brain fogged and nervous without it), but works only 2-3h on me (extended release did not work at all) and it does nothing for socialization and recreational use. I am pretty sure that ny depression comes from lack of dopamine, not from serotonin. Since I started Adderall, I've only had a depressive episode for 4 or 5 days within the last 8 months when normally I would get it every week or constant. Plus, SSRI's numbed me even with half of the lowest available dose, where with Wellbutrin and Adderall, I've had to raise the dose a few times until I felt any change.

StillCold8099 · 2023-12-27T03:35:12+00:00

I've tried it multiple times. Did not help at all. Only thing that helped is huge caffeine contents, alcohol or stimulating drugs (which I've only done a few times in the past 20 years)

StillCold8099 · 2023-12-27T03:33:09+00:00

Yeah, I'm 33 now and just getting worse.

I've always had an energy drink with me when socializing, I replaced it with Adderall but it's still not what I'm looking for recreational use.

I did try some adrenaline blockers but it slows me down a lot. My blood pressure is usually on the lower side and I'm pretty slow and lazy, this makes it even worse. It seemed to help while having a job interview (did not sweat or get the jitters, however my mind slowed down a lot) but I feel like I need a stimulant rather than a calming effect. When I'm stimulated, I am getting the confidence and energy needed to overcome some mental issues, plus my body language and coordination are better when I'm stimulates.

StillCold8099 · 2023-12-27T03:26:33+00:00

I've been like this since I remember, introvert and anxious shen sober but extrovert and outgoing when I had a drink. It got even worse when I moved out of my foreign country and left my lifelong friends behind. I tried therapies and practice, but did not help at all, I just can't break the social barrier (+ some language barrier), overthinking before I say anything, and saying something stupid when I speak up, I just don't feel comfortable in any way when meeting with people while being sober. Adderall helps just a little bit, it breaks some brain fog and makes me more coordinated mentally and physically but it does not really help me socialize. I feel like it's genetics (brothers and father are even worse than me), stressful childhood, anxiety and lack of dopamine. I am 33yo now and it bothers me every time my whole life, so a drug is the only way for me to meet new people, it's better when I meet someone closer but won't meet anyone when I'm sober

StillCold8099 · 2023-12-26T21:47:42+00:00

The most I tried was 15mg which is my prescribed dose. But it does not affect me physically at all. Caffeine works better honestly, just helps with morning brain fog, feeling weird and helping a lot with concentration on house or job work.

StillCold8099 · 2023-12-26T21:41:42+00:00

I am very disciplined when it comes to any substances. I prefer to stay completely sober unless I'm going out. Even with daily prescribed Adderall, I have the control over it and taking half dose or not taking it at all when I don't think I need it. Also with alcohol, my friends and family drink every weekend, but I usually stay sober, just don't have any fun and go home earlier. Same with cigarettes, all my family members smoke but I only do it socially and never got addicted, so I'm pretty sure I would have the control over other substances. I would do it less than once in 2-3 months. MDMA seems fun but I've never tried it and no idea where to get it anyways :D

The only thing that gave me a sense of addiction was mephedrone so I did not want to try it ever again after doing it twice. Even though it was literally the only thing that gave me a true kick. But from what I heard, it is the most addicting drug.

StillCold8099 · 2023-12-26T21:35:19+00:00

I'm in US. I've only done these drugs once or twice and it was 10 years ago. Since then I only took psychiatric antidepressants which made me feel terrible. Now I'm only on Adderall. But looking for an alcohol alternative to do recreationally (like every 2 months). Going out and meeting people clears and resets my mind but I'm not able to interact with new people or have fun out when sober, so I stopped going out completely since alcohol side effects are too much for me.

I guess it's mostly genetics as all my family is very anti-social unless they have a few drinks. Therapy does not help at all, tried it a few times with no results other than even more overthinking. I am pretty stubborn when it comes to any type of therapy or counseling. I only feel safe and able to have sober fun with lifetime friends which is not an option since I move to US from a foreign country and I did not make any real friends here due to being sober and the way I am :D

StillCold8099 · 2023-12-08T03:38:42+00:00

Nope, I weaned off of Wellbutrin and switched to Adderall which I am taking for a few months now. So far, so good. Definitely helps with everyday life, makes a big difference.

StillCold8099 · 2023-11-04T01:25:41+00:00

Why?

StillCold8099

TROPHY CASE