New member, First cycle, 48 yrs old

[jkmola]

Greetings. I was nosing around this site (and others) researching test cycles. Liked the feel of this place, so I joined. Wondering if I could get any thoughts about my plan.

I've been in the gym off and on for about 30 years. After being away, every time I came back I would quickly recover to where I had previously been, then gains would slow down, but I was able to make progress, albeit slower. This last time I was away for maybe 3 years. Pudged up to about 210 lbs. Long story short, stressful job and went through a divorce. Threw all that shit aside and decided to get back in shape (great stress buster). Been lifting again for about a year, but man do the gains come slow at 48!

Had blood work done last July at my annual physical. My numbers all fall in the "great" range, except one: test. It was in the low 3's. Dr refused any thought of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) (it'll give you prostate cancer). FYI, currently researching new dr's. I'm also experiencing a somewhat lack of motivation, focus, and general well being.

My goals here are this:

to increase lean mass. I would like to be around a "solid" 185, give or take a few lbs.

to lean out. I've been doing hill sprints, and they have been great. But I have a kind of "soft" look, and what to look harder.

to increase my energy levels, sense of well being, motivation, and focus. I, by all accounts, am in excellent health, and would like to keep it that way and live a long, long time. I have 3 TREMENDOUS kids that I want to watch and share their lives.

to keep side effects minimized. I'm not above a little side or two, but want to absolutely keep them as manageable as possible - bang for the buck, so to speak.

Currently:

48
5'9"
170 lbs
Diet may not be "spot on", but is pretty damn good. Proteins are chicken, tuna, lean beef, eggs, and whey. Carbs are whole veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, yams), brown rice, almonds, oatmeal, and some fruit. Take some olive oil everyday. Supplements are zma, 1,000 ius of vit d, and 10g of creatine/day. Am going to start one aspirin/day.

I lift 4 times a week on a 5/3/1 program from Dave Wendler. It's been working pretty good for me, making gains and getting some size and definition. I bench around 275, squat and deadlift roughly the same. I also do hill sprints 2/week.

A good friend of mine (long time lifter, and test user) recommended that I start taking test c at 200mg every ten days. He thinks that I will PROBABLY not need any type of Aromatase inhibitor (AI) or sides with this low of a dose. See how my body responds. I pinned for the first time 3 days ago - 200mg in the quad.

After continuing my research, I see where it might be more beneficial to pin half the dose, twice as often as leads to more stable levels of test in the blood, and supposedly helps minimize any side effects. I also got nervous about NO Aromatase inhibitor (AI), and ordered some liquistane.

Questions:

Would it be best to pin 100mg every 5 days for 200mg/10 days - or pin twice for 200mg/week?

Is this enough of a dose to realize what I am trying to do? Or is it overly conservative?

Roughly how long should I wait to determine whether the results are there or not, and if I should increase my dosage?

Should I start the liquistane as soon as I get it (2 or 3 days), or wait to see if there is any signs of sides?

Any thing else I should add, gear or supplement wise?

Any other thoughts or comments are welcome. Even critical ones, I have thick skin - I can take it! Thanks for checking this out.

Mo

 

[Hrnyfckr]

Where do I begin..... You come up with alot of rationalizations for using seroids? Why? You're a big boy and you're definitely ready. Your diet and training are in check. If your blood pressure is normal, your PSA is normal, your cholesterol is ok, your blood sugar is normal.... Just go for it. And don't pussyfoot around at 200 mg/wk. You run the risk of incurring sides for vey little benefit. 500ml test e divided into two pins (Sun/Wed?) with adex .5mg eod all for about 12 weeks followed by a propper post cycle therapy (pct) will serve you much better. See how you do.
I did my first cycle at 50.... Best thing I ever did for myself.... For many reasons... And my bloodwork came back with better numbers than before I started--- including cholesterol!
Just keep it simple... Stay close to us here at Ology.... Ask for help if you need it.... And most of all... Enjoy the ride! ; )

 

[jkmola]

Thanks. I gave all the info because normally I see guys post with little, and then responders ask for more. Just trying to get it all out there to start with!

All tests are normal, and mostly better than normal. B/P 100 over 65, psa normal, hdl higher than avg, ldl lower than avg (can't remember the exact #'s), no sugar issues.

You recommend Adex. Why do you like that better than exemestane? My understanding is that exemestane lowers e better, less harsh, less side effects. More costly, though. I'm not stating, asking. I already have the stane, but can pick up adex if needed.

Also, already have test c.

 

[Hrnyfckr]

No, stane should be fine... You do want some estrogen. ED issues on cycle are often caused my too little estrogen. If this starts happening, tweek your stane dose first before backing off of test.
I started with 500 test e/ 250 decca every week. My only bad sides were elevated BP... Which I reversed easily by cutting all salt from my diet, and an uncomfortably (at 8 to 10 wks) but not unhealthfully enlaged prostate, which completely resolved itself off cycle.
I reccomend doing the full 500 mg/wk so you can experience the full ride and understand what the sides my be for you. You need to see that your body can still make a full recovery after PCT. Adjust future cycles accordingly. Save Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for later... It has it's own issues.

 

[Jack Tors]

Questions:

Would it be best to pin 100mg every 5 days for 200mg/10 days - or pin twice for 200mg/week?
1 shot 200 per week (i prefer every 5 days) pinning 100 twice a week is not going to make a difference.

Is this enough of a dose to realize what I am trying to do? Or is it overly conservative?
TRT dosages are 250 every 2 weeks. I'd probably go with 250 a week. how long you gunna run it?

Roughly how long should I wait to determine whether the results are there or not, and if I should increase my dosage?
5 weeks you will notice the test anytime after that should be your gauge

Should I start the liquistane as soon as I get it (2 or 3 days), or wait to see if there is any signs of sides?
id keep Nolva on hand and run adex at a low dose EOD start at .25. ive never needed much of an Aromatase inhibitor (AI) while on cycle but aromisin should be fine. i think you take 12.5mg eod (look it up I never used it b4)

Any thing else I should add, gear or supplement wise?
HGH, IGF1-lr3 or GHRP6- pick one
I'd run HCG with it and blast at the end b4 post cycle therapy (pct) (in that case def. run aromisin the entire time to control estrogen sides

Any other thoughts or comments are welcome. Even critical ones, I have thick skin - I can take it! Thanks for checking this out.

 

[Hrnyfckr]

So you've got two responses.... Mine telling you to go for it, Jack Tors advising a more conservative yet complex approach more related to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) protocols. I'll be interested to know which direction you choose. I'm surprised Crazy Mike and Cashout haven't added their opinions.

 

[crazyfmike]

Welcome to Sology.

Here is my .02.

Take labs now and post them here or PM me with them. Once you look g2g on blood work then here is what I recommend.

Run the 200 E10D's for 10 weeks and assess your results. At ten weeks take blood work again (Hormone Panel for Females) and see where your Hemo and lipids are. That is the smartest safest plan.

I'll close with this: I trained Natty 12-42 years old. My point being you must a foundation that just restored to your late 20's would make you very impressive on low mgs that simulate your peak testosterone levels of your youth.

 

[Hrnyfckr]

Crazy Mike is fast for an old guy! Good point CM! My point, however, is that this guy has done his bloods... And he's in great shape... With no health issues... He's an athlete. 500mg/wk test only is moderate dose. He'll probobaly never want to go higher than that. He can always back off later. He should know how is body reacts, and what the sides are, and how he recovers while he's still young!

 

[iwannabod]

I am 47 and just completed my first cycle, 500mg test E divided in two doses. I am glad I did. Whose kidding who, I did it to help regain my lost youth. Since I was fat when I started, 6' 0" and 250lbs. I had some issues with estrogen and was doing 25mg aromasin daily. That seemed to get my dick working again.

I wish I could afford HGH, that would be the ticket for old f***s like ourselves. I gained 3" in my chest and 2.5" in my arms and everwhere else too; Need to buy new suits. Since I had test issues before my cycle, my doc put me on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) so I do not anticipate losing anything. I also plan on doing one more cycle in a couple months.

I already look pretty bad ass but why not take it over the top?

P.S. My blood pressure which was borderline before went down but my triglycerides went up. My doctor says I should exercise more.

 

[Jack Tors]

I am 47 and just completed my first cycle, 500mg test E divided in two doses. I am glad I did. Whose kidding who, I did it to help regain my lost youth. Since I was fat when I started, 6' 0" and 250lbs. I had some issues with estrogen and was doing 25mg aromasin daily. That seemed to get my dick working again.

I wish I could afford HGH, that would be the ticket for old f***s like ourselves. I gained 3" in my chest and 2.5" in my arms and everwhere else too; Need to buy new suits. Since I had test issues before my cycle, my doc put me on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) so I do not anticipate losing anything. I also plan on doing one more cycle in a couple months.

I already look pretty bad ass but why not take it over the top?

P.S. My blood pressure which was borderline before went down but my triglycerides went up. My doctor says I should exercise more.

run the peptides IGF1-lr3, GHRP6

 

[jkmola]

Here's my bw, all the tests she would agree to run. As for the hemoglobin, I was eating about 95% chicken breasts at the time, and the dr felt it was strictly a result of not enough red meat in my diet. Did not have to tell me twice! Although, I have not been retested. If there is anything on here that is cause for concern or that I need, please let me know. Also, crazyfmike - would not let me pm you, as I do not have enough posts.

(Apparently, not enough posts to link pics, either)

Cholesterol, total 147 Range: 125-200
hdl 60 Range: > or = 40
ldl 80 Range: <130
Triglycerides 37 Range: <150
Chol/HDLC ratio 2.5 Range: < or = 5.0

Glucose 95 Range: 65-99

TSH 1.57 Range: .40-4.5
T4, free 1.2 Range: .8-1.8

WBC 4.9 Range: 3.8-10.8
RBC 4.1 Range: 4.2-5.8 out of range
Hemoglobin 12.6 Range: 13.2-17.1 out of range
Hematocrit 38.5 Range: 38.5-50.0
MCV 93.8 Range: 80-100
MCH 30.8 Range: 27-33
MCHC 32.9 Range: 32-36
RDW 15.1 Range: 11.0-15.0 out of range
Platelet Count 208 Range: 140-400

Test, total 412 Range: 241-827

PSA .6 Range: < or =4.0

 

[Hrnyfckr]

Ok, you're healthy as an ox... Anything out of range is just barely out of range. Now you have to decide weather you want to do a steroid cycle, or Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Do one or the other. Personally, I vote for a modest cycle (test only 500/wk). But you must choose here. Don't go in between--- you risk having sides w/ little benefit. And READ ALL THE STICKIES at the top of this page before you stick yourself with anything!!!!!!!

 

[jkmola]

Thanks for all the info, guys. Really appreciated. I am continuing to pour over threads and info. Wealth of knowledge on this site is overwhelming. And as usual, a fair amount of sifting through to separate the wheat from the "chaff".

I'm thinking at this point that I am gonna go with the more conservative approach (sorry hrnyfckr!). I'm gonna go with the lower dose and check bw after a coupla months. Evaluate my progress at that point and kinda get a baseline of what it does for me. Thinking of a longterm blast and cruise. With my lower natural levels, I wanna see how I react and feel. Then, see about a long term blast and cruise - which I may never come off of (ok, maybe not never - but for a really long time.) I'm looking at his as a long term strategy and keeping my health as my number one priority. My opinion on this could change, depending on results.

Goal here would be to focus on being in great shape for this summer and overall well being. Then, depending on bw and progress, possibly blast and shoot for some real gains over the winter - once again leaning out for next summer.

I'm REALLY new and uneducated about peptides - so will continue and try to learn all that I possibly can and integrate them as I learn more and am able to make educated choices. I will keep you informed on results/progress, as well as continue to ask questions.

Thanks again for all your input. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.