Hi T-Nation – first let me just say THANK YOU to such an incredible community with such amazing information. This site has been such an invaluable resource to me.
So – after years of on and off training, and with one bodybuilding competition done two years ago (all natural), and a solid grip on diet and training, I think I’m ready for my first cycle of two cycles this year with a goal to enter a classic physique competition later this year (I know I’ll have to eat like a horse!).
Stats:
- 35 years old
- 6’0"
- 180lbs → 195-200lbs is goal weight at end of cycle at same BF
- 8-9% body fat
Before I go into the cycle details, some key background… I’ve been on TRT with a cypionate / propionate blend at 200mg / wk for roughly 2.5 years. That dose puts my levels just at the top or over the normal range (1200-1300ng/dl).
I was extremely happy with the TRT for about 6 months after I started it… until my hair began to thin considerably and painful cystic acne appeared on my back. However, after a brief restart a few months back and letting my hair grow back in, then coming back on TRT and dialing in a solid regiment for the hair thinning, I believe I have that under control. I’m also doing a course of accutane which has resolved the acne issue as well, and should permanently once the course is finished.
Also relevant is that when I started on TRT, I put on 15lbs of muscle while being COMPLETELY sedentary due to a neck injury. Went from 170lbs to 185lbs with no attention on diet and zero exercise, and it was all in my back, shoulders, chest, traps, and glutes. I’ve always put on muscle very easily when I eat and train, so it appears the TRT has amplified that considerably.
Due to all of the above factors, I’m very hesitant to do the typically recommended 350mg - 500mg / week testosterone dosage as I have a feeling the hair loss and acne will come back to bite me in the ass AND I don’t seem to need a lot of hormones to grow really well. Orals also aren’t an option because of the accutane and its effect on liver values, and my general desire for this not to negatively impact my health due to a complicated health history I won’t bore you with.
I also really don’t want to do a more traditional cycle with, say, deca because I’m blessed with a girlfriend who would MURDER ME if I couldn’t have sex with her. No amount of gains are worth fucking up my sex life, either.
All that said, here are the three cycles I’m considering, and would love feedback:
Option 1, 16 weeks
- Test Cyp / Prop (70/30 blend) @ 250mg to 300mg / week
- Equipose @ 200mg - 300mg / week
- Anastrozole @ 0.5mg 2-4x / week (based on bloods and feel, since I’m already familiar with dialing this in during TRT)
Concerns: I can’t give blood due to the Accutane, and I’m worried about hematocrit going too high. Otherwise this seems like a perfect fit for me as the EQ is supposed to be very mild. Maybe this is the move and I can simply drop the EQ if hematocrit climbs too much?
Option 2, 20 weeks
- Test Cyp / Prop (70/30 blend) @ 300 - 350mg mg / week
- Primobolan @ 200mg - 500mg / week
- Anastrozole @ 0.5mg 2-4x / week (based on bloods and feel, since I’m already familiar with dialing this in during TRT)
Concerns: Cost, getting real Primo, and side effects from higher testosterone required to make up for primo being a “weak” steroid mg per mg. If I dose the Primo higher and keep T lower, maybe that won’t be too big of a concern.
Option 3, 16 Weeks
- Test Cyp / Prop (70/30 blend) @ 250mg to 300mg / week
- 1-Testosterone (DHB) @ 200mg - 300mg / week
Concerns: Finding DHB, I just can’t get it. Same potential hematocrit issues as Equipose apparently as well.
Obviously no PCT is required – I’ll just reduce dosages and continue training. Let me know your thoughts guys!