Hey guys,
If you’d like to know a little more about my AAS and PCT history, there’s a topic: Log: My PCT History, PCT After 3rd Cycle. 4.5 Months, Test/Tren/T3
In short, I’m 25, pharmacy student. I lift seriously for 2 years, interested in ambitious amateur sports since 15 y.o. Have done 3 successfull AAS cycles with great results (in total, 10 months of bulk + 8 months of shredding, +15 kg of LBM, +48% of AVG 1RM in main lifts). Won some cycling races years ago. Love to train smart and eat smart for more than 10 years.
There’s one thing limiting me the most, and it’s T level fluctuation. Have no problem with E2 changes during cycle and PCT phases, but fluctuating T between those phases + shredding in OFF way where leptin influences T level so badly aren’t so enjoyable (I feel comfortable with my physique only with single %BF and want to keep it, low T doesn’t allow me to do that). PCT on Clomid and Clom’s mental sides make me sick for at least a month (and I can’t affort that anymore cus of my specific lifestyle - can’t focus on studying), Nolva seems to be too weak for me, can’t get another SERMs in my country. My PCTs end with success, but they’re totally inpractical and harsh, risky as well if we consider conducting another cycles.
Being clean seems not enough for me, my education and experience allow me to get more and after those 3 cycles I definitely want more (despite costs and sides I had and will have to deal with). Want to work in pharmacy field so I will probably have contact with medicines in the profession.
My PROS of PCT: making T “for free”; can leave AAS and lifting and T will be produced endogenously; no need to inject anything at least E3D for the rest of your life; no need to control all symptoms of E2 being up or down (+ no need to do blood-work if everything is fine).
My CONS of PCT: you are not 100% sure if you can run HPTA after each other AAS cycle; each PCT means harsh sides from SERM which force me to “leave my life” for at least 1 month; being OFF means being dependent on your physiology (being sick/depressed, etc.) and another hormones like leptin which influence your T level (can’t diet as you wish, can’t maintain low %BF as you wish, restoring T after dieting takes too long);
My PROS of TRT: stable T level in the upper range = stable libido, strength and energy independently of environment (in theory of course), so can realize my sports goals and no need to suffer from PCT’s sides after each AAS cycle; no need to be scared of low T after each PCT conducted; can manipulate the level of E2 depending on current training target & it won’t affect blocked HPTA.
My CONS of TRT: being dependent on drugs till the rest of my life (I would TRT after 40 y.o. anyway basing on current medical evidence), which means to deal with E2 fluctuations (blood-work, mental focus on that stuff) and higher cardiovascular diseases & cancer risk if T too high; costs.
Actually, costs aren’t too big in my country, 1 month of TRT (at least 200 mg of TE, 700 UI of hCG and 1 mg of Anastrozole weekly) is about 25$ + let’s say 2 blood-works (E2 TT) per month 15$ = 40$ w/o prescription.
Currently, I’m focused on my PCT and want to finish that with success. I would just like to hear about pros and cons of TRT/PCT from you, basing on my thoughts and your experience. Thank you.