4 cycles over 2years - Android's stats

[Hone]

When I first started taking HCG I use to take it after I had finished my cycle. A low course of something like 500mgs of test e under 10 weeks then I would not bother with HCG and just do a 4/5 week PCT with clomid and nolva.

If I had been using over 500mg of gear a week for over 10 weeks then I would incorporate HCG as part of my PCT. If I had been on something like test e then I would wait a week and then for the next 2 to 3 weeks I would do 3 1500 iu ampoule's a week. Then I would start with clomid and nolva. I never had any problems with recovery while using HCG in this way.

Some guys might say that you should wait until the steroid has cleared your system and then start the HCG and indeed some guys use to do it this way. However doing it this way can open you up to a crash. Pituitary LH secretion automatically increases as the hormones diminish from your system. The elevated androgen levels are from an exogenous source and your endogenous production is suppressed. Therefore waiting for the exogenous androgen's to completely clear from your system ultimately results in lower total concentrations of androgen's in your system when beginning PCT. This leads to an unfavorable androgen, estrogen ratio and the well known crash effect.

Android I suspect you are having some form of crash which is making you feel that way.

A few years have now passed and as always the sport of bodybuilding is constantly evolving, certainly within the area of SEURM's, AI's, peptides etc. I now follow a protocol which you will find a lot of bodybuilders/weight trainers now adhere to and that is to take the HCG while on cycle. Amounts and timings can vary between guys. I take 500 iu once a week for the whole cycle. If I am not pinning gear that day I pin it subcutaneously into my stomach. If I happen to be pinning gear on the same day then I just mix the HCG into whatever gear I have in the syringe and pin it intramuscular. Instead of the 1500 iu amps I now use multi use 10,000 iu vials. After the cycle I wait for the correct amount of time depending on what compounds I had been running then follow it up with a PCT consisting of clomid and nolva. Strength does drop a little which is normal, I feel good physically and mentally when I come off cycle. Sex drive is good, although my partner is 19 years younger than me so I guess that helps :grin:

Nothing is written in stone when it comes to gear, PCT etc everyone reacts differently. You need to look at different options, try different protocols and over a period of time you will learn what works best for you.

Couple of other meds which I consider to be worthwhile having.

Anastrozole which I use to control water retention (bloating). Diet plays a big part in this (to much salt in the diet is a good cause of causing bloating) but even with a good diet many guys will suffer from water retention at varying degrees, not good as can cause high blood pressure. Guys who also suffer from gyno or want to stop from getting it also use this med. I find 0.5mg every second day works well for me. Nice not to have to carry the extre weight of water around and not having a moon face . Gains are still good, just dryer with more veins showing.

Dutasteride which prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). All guys who take steroids should be aware of DHT, nasty stuff that can cause hair to fall out, I personally wouldn't care if I lost all my hair, wouldn't bother me but some guys dread it. This mainly affects guys who are susceptible to male pattern baldness. The second thing that DHT can affect and much more serious and will affect quite a few of us if not already is our friend Mr Prostate. Yep DHT will make a beeline to your prostate and attach it's self there quite happily. Many of us will start to see prostate problems in our 50's, 60's. I'm willing to bet that if you have done a number of years on gear you can advance that age by a decade or so. Won't happen to everyone of course but if you have a history of Prostate problems in your family I would be looking into this med big time.

Be proactive not reactive, especially when it comes to your health. Right I'm out of here, off to Amsterdam for a week to visit museums and ride bikes :wink:

[Android]

Great read Android, a pleasure to hear from you again.

But it all counts for nothing if you don't jump back on stage and show it off properly mate hahaha

Yeah sorry about making you work harder on your physique :-) I am thinking about it and if the stars align and I get some good training, rest, and eating time in will give it a go.

Have just re-signed with Les Mills and getting back into a routine now.

Hone, many thanks for your insights I'll give HCG a go it's the only way to really know if there's a better way. The doses and timings are most helpful!

Amsterdam will be freezing-over at this time of year but's a nice place even in the cold, have fun