Age 40 and considering first test cycle to break thru plateau...would like advice

Zymurgist

I am banned!
Hello everyone, I am considering starting my first test cycle and would like some input by the educated and experienced folks on this forum. I have been thinking about taking this step for a while and I am now ready to take my lifting to the next level.

I have actually never been stronger, but I seem to have hit a plateau and have been stuck for about a year. I am not looking to break any records, but would like to increase my strength by at least 20% over the next six months and continue to get lean.

I am not interested in supplementing with any AAS at this point other than test. After much reading and research it seems that 500mg of test enanthate or test cypionate per week, split up into two injections, is pretty standard. Is a lower dose such as 250mg or 300mg per week worth considering? Or will the gains be minimal?

I also want to make sure I offset any possible side effects with the appropriate meds. I still have hair, though it’s a bit thinner than it used to be, and would like to hang on to it for as long as I can. Also, I obviously want to keep as much of my gains as possible after cycling. I want to make sure I completely understand not only the cycling process, but also post cycle therapy (pct).

I have already read the sticky “Cycleing for beginners :- a guide to proper androgen cycling”….is this the best guide out there for someone in my situation?

Are there any other good/better alternatives to the proposed cycle/PCT below or anything else I should be conscious of?

First cycle:
Testosterone enanthate 500mg per week
Exemestane 12.5mg every day for 15 weeks
Hcg 500iu per week (250 IU on the dad you pin test, starting on week 5)
Hcg 1000iu every day for 10days leading up to your PCT

PCT:
Clomafene Citrate 50mg every day for 4 weeks
Tamoxifen citrate 40mg every day 2 for weeks followed by 20mg every day for 2 weeks


My stats/my story:

40 years old
6’4”
260 lbs.
Currently at about 20% body fat
38” waist
Never cycled before

Very experienced lifter - have been lifting on and off (mostly on) for 20+ years, have been lifting solidly the last 4 years after taking a few years off.

I had blood work done approximately six months ago and my test (total) level was checked twice. The first time it was roughly 350 ng/dl, the second time it was roughly 380 ng/dl. Based on my research both of those readings, though considered to be within the normal rage, are low for my age.

I am also currently doing a running program to train for an upcoming 5K. I don’t go crazy with the cardio because I do not want it affecting my gains, but my running program has helped me shed unwanted pounds so I plan on continuing with it as a means to getting and staying lean.

My diet is pretty solid, not perfect, but solid and consists of some combination of the following most days:

2 protein shakes per day usually mixed with ¼ - ½ cup egg whites
½ cup oatmeal
Chicken breast and/or tuna and/or other lean meats
Lots of raw veggies
Green beans or peas
Some fruit
Brown rice
Pasta/potato (try to keep to a minimum)
½ cup almonds
Coffee/water
Rarely eat out, never eat fast food, social beer drinker


Anything else you would like to know?....please ask!

Thanks!
 
Nice! Someone that has done some homework! Okay, for starters 500mg/wk is typically what is recommended as while 300mg might give you substantial gains, you'll be less apt for disappointment if you go with what might be slight overkill. While AAS is one of those things in life where more isn't necessarily better, this is a pretty good compromise based on the experiences of others.

Your cycle itself looks pretty well laid out, although I don't feel comfortable discussing the usage of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) as I personally have not used it myself - so I'll leave that for another to come in and give their feedback on. The only thing missing in my opinion would be expert diet advice, which I would head over to the diet section for. In fact, if you want the most from this cycle - I'd hit up 3J (He moderates the diet section) and see if his nutrition service is right for you. I have had nothing but great results so far, and can wholeheartedly recommend him to ANYONE about to run a cycle.

Good luck and welcome to 'ology!

My .02c :)
 
Go 500mg/week much better for a first cycle. and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is awesome.. I wouldn't run without it
 
First cycle:
Testosterone enanthate 500mg per week
Exemestane 12.5mg every day for 15 weeks
Hcg 500iu per week (250 IU on the dad you pin test, starting on week 5)
Hcg 1000iu every day for 10days leading up to your post cycle therapy (pct)

You really have done a lot of good investigation as everything looks laid out really well and this cycle will help you reach your goals. I only have a few things. You do not need exemestane every day for this cycle, you should be able to easily get away with 12.5 every other day. If you start retaining too much water or anything like that then you can definitely bump it up to every day! With the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) I usually do it opposite of what you plan on doing going with a high dose initially and then tapering down into your post cycle therapy (pct). Either way is fine though. Also, if you do the first week of your post cycle therapy (pct) with Clomid@ 100mgs every day then the last 3 weeks going down to 50mgs every day you will not need the Tamoxifen. All that I would recommend in that case is that you keep using the exemestane for 2 weeks into your post cycle therapy (pct) while your natural test levels rise to keep your estrogen levels down so you do not experience any adverse side effects from your estrogen being higher than your test. The reason I am not a big fan of Tamoxifen is because it still allows the production of estrogen, it just binds to the receptors so in theory the estrogen should not be able to bind to the estrogen receptors and cause any unwanted side effects. I skip the what if factor and just use exemestane and stop the conversion in my body all together until your body has sufficiently produced enough of its own test to ease off the aromatase inhibitor. Your cycle looks great and you will have a lot of fun with it! I hope this was helpful.

Rob
 
Go 500mg/week much better for a first cycle. and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) is awesome.. I wouldn't run without it

HCG is looking more and more enticing. I started with the idea to minimize the number of compounds for my first cycle but the more I read up on Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG), the more I hear about the benefits of reducing recovery time for one's test levels.
 
Thanks everyone for all the helpful information.

It sounds like I'm definitely on the right track as far as the amount of test.

But it seems there are some varying opinions on Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG), Clomid vs. Tamoxifen, extending the usage of Exemestane into PCT and the usage of nolva and adex. I will need to do more research on the latter two as I am not familiar enough with their usage vs. other alternatives.

Zeedubs, when you specifiy "50/50/50" and "20/20/10", is that in "mg" and does that translate into week 1, week 2, week 3 etc.?

Also, in between a cycle and PCT, which according to Zeedubs should be 14-20 days, it seems that I won't be taking anything...is that the case?

My head is still a flood of questions. Like a lot of other things, the more you learn the more questions you have.
 
Zymurgist, This is the first cycle laid out in the sticky thread. I have been following it for 2 weeks now (did my 5th pin today) and things are fine.

As suggested, I started taking the Aromatase inhibitor (AI) 12.5 mg ed from the start and for me that was really bad !!
It was way too much Aromatase inhibitor (AI) way too soon. I crashed my estrogen and ended up with very achy joints, super low energy, zero libido and low but constant feeling of anxiety.
A few days off of the Aromatase inhibitor (AI) cured all of this, but I must admit that I am now a bit confused (and reluctant) about how to reintroduce the Aromatase inhibitor (AI) in a sensible way.
When your estro is too low you really feel bad, believe me.

I am a newby at this, so I do not know if you would experience the same thing I did, but just so you know...
 
Zymurgist, This is the first cycle laid out in the sticky thread. I have been following it for 2 weeks now (did my 5th pin today) and things are fine.

As suggested, I started taking the Aromatase inhibitor (AI) 12.5 mg ed from the start and for me that was really bad !!
It was way too much Aromatase inhibitor (AI) way too soon. I crashed my estrogen and ended up with very achy joints, super low energy, zero libido and low but constant feeling of anxiety.
A few days off of the Aromatase inhibitor (AI) cured all of this, but I must admit that I am now a bit confused (and reluctant) about how to reintroduce the Aromatase inhibitor (AI) in a sensible way.
When your estro is too low you really feel bad, believe me.

I am a newby at this, so I do not know if you would experience the same thing I did, but just so you know...
Yeah man everyones body is different, 12.5mg ed for Aromatase inhibitor (AI) works perfect for me. My estro was very slightly elevated from my blood work but not in the hundreds like some people taking 12.5 are at. I would consider upping my dosage to 25mg ed but then I take the chance of lowering my estro too much as it isn't super high with 12.5. Safe bet for anyone is to start at 12.5 ed get bloodwork at 4-6weeks then adjust as needed.
 
Good information. Speaking of blood work, what is the recommended blood work schedule when cycling?....immediately before, during - say half way through, and then after PCT?

Turkey 535i, how do you know those symptoms were due to your estrogen crashing? Did you get your level tested or are you basing it on the fact that once you went off of Aromatase inhibitor (AI) you felt better?

Thanks!
 
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I think you are talking to me, not Turkey :-)

No blood work. But after 5 days at 12.5 mg from the start of my cycle, there was obviously something wrong.

To start with I had terrible joint pains in my knees and hips. I am a very solid guy psychologically and I found myself having this ball of anxiety in my stomach for absolutely no reason. My dick went to sleep and I had no energy.

I posted this and was told that i had probably lower my estro way too much, so I went of aromasin. I would say that within 24 hours the anxiety was gone. It took a couple more for my joints to stop hurting and dick to wake up.

So obviously too much Aromatase inhibitor (AI). as I said, 15 days into the cycle now I am starting to get oily skin and a bit of acne and my nipples are a bit sensitive, but my blood pressure is fine. So not quite sure what to do next. It is a learning experience !!
 
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