On test cyp, hcg and now letro

[Valdred]

Hello, i'm new here, but I've read some on trt things, so not a complete noob. I got put on trt about a month ago, so since then, I've had more curiosities build up. I hope to leverage some further perspective with you all.

I'm currently on the following:

280 mg test cypionate (split X2 injections)
500 mcg HCG w B12 (split X2 inject)
Letrozine - 1.62 mg every 2 weeks (just got prescribed, havent seen blood work yet)

My questions are:

1. It seems so many crap on estrogen with AIs but I can't really find any literature on how estrogen affects muscle growth other than a study done on women or just anecdotal articles.
So many seem to be referencing each other, which isn't good science - when the common source has loose correlations.

2. Letrozole is painted with a very bad light due to its extreme effect on estrogen. The community seems to regard it well in relation to gyno treatment, but that seems like about the only good use compared to other AIs. Though, a lot of people seem to over do things with letro...

I am taking such a small amount per week, that it doesn't seem like it would be all that bad. If anything, with its 2 day half life in the body, it would seem to me to give a chance to rebound for benefit - growth. Consistency in the body taken to absurdum is probably not always a good thing, so letting your body go through seasons of higher estrogen may be beneficial somewhat? Minus gyno considerations though, but perhaps letting your body go through seasons of slight gyno is ok - when the goal is muscle gain?

3. Can I maintain a 280 dosage consistently without adverse effects? My doc will probably pump down after 6 more weeks.

4. Is taking letro with HCG a particularly good combo, (as HCG is known to aramotize)? Perhaps it's an exceptional/ideal choice when on HCG?

5. Would increasing fat stores (eating more) indirectly inflate estrogen production thus countering some effect of the letrozole or AIs in general?

6. Does hypertrophy training respond more so on test - than low rep strength?

Thanks

 

[Megatron28]

Hello, i'm new here, but I've read some on trt things, so not a complete noob. I got put on trt about a month ago, so since then, I've had more curiosities build up. I hope to leverage some further perspective with you all.

I'm currently on the following:

280 mg test cypionate (split X2 injections)
500 mcg HCG w B12 (split X2 inject)
Letrozine - 1.62 mg every 2 weeks (just got prescribed, havent seen blood work yet)

My questions are:

1. It seems so many crap on estrogen with AIs but I can't really find any literature on how estrogen affects muscle growth other than a study done on women or just anecdotal articles.
So many seem to be referencing each other, which isn't good science - when the common source has loose correlations.

2. Letrozole is painted with a very bad light due to its extreme effect on estrogen. The community seems to regard it well in relation to gyno treatment, but that seems like about the only good use compared to other AIs. Though, a lot of people seem to over do things with letro...

I am taking such a small amount per week, that it doesn't seem like it would be all that bad. If anything, with its 2 day half life in the body, it would seem to me to give a chance to rebound for benefit - growth. Consistency in the body taken to absurdum is probably not always a good thing, so letting your body go through seasons of higher estrogen may be beneficial somewhat? Minus gyno considerations though, but perhaps letting your body go through seasons of slight gyno is ok - when the goal is muscle gain?

3. Can I maintain a 280 dosage consistently without adverse effects? My doc will probably pump down after 6 more weeks.

4. Is taking letro with HCG a particularly good combo, (as HCG is known to aramotize)? Perhaps it's an exceptional/ideal choice when on HCG?

5. Would increasing fat stores (eating more) indirectly inflate estrogen production thus countering some effect of the letrozole or AIs in general?

6. Does hypertrophy training respond more so on test - than low rep strength?

Thanks

1. I don't have a study handy for how estrogen affects muscle growth in males, but I can tell you from a lot of experience that males do need healthy levels of estrogen. Most guys on TRT like their estradiol to fall between 20-40pg/ml.

2.letro is usually avoided because it is so powerful. Being even slightly off in the dosage can crash your E2. Most guys prefer Arimidex or Aromasin. They are usually better for your lipids too; with Aromasin being the best from a lipids standpoint. But it costs more than Arimidex

3. Typically 280mg per week will out you at supraphysiological levels for TT. So no, the long-term effects of this would not be healthy. A typical TRT dose is 100-200mg/week.

4. hCG itself does not aromatize. It can cause your testicles to produce testosterone even while on exogenous test. It is the testosterone that aromatizes. But I personally don't notice much of a chance in my TT levels despite taking 1000iu of hCG per week. Some guys may see 200-300 points.

hCG can result in Intratesticular Aromatization. AI's cannot inhibit this type of aromatization -- even Letro.

5. Yes, higher body fat results in more aromatization and would thus require a higher AI dose all things equal. The Aromatase Enzymes are found in body fat (among other places).

6. No. Both respond equally well to testosterone.

 

[Milton]

Welcome to the boards!

 

[Gainjin260]

3. Can I maintain a 280 dosage consistently without adverse effects? My doc will probably pump down after 6 more weeks.
J

I've seen other doctors start folks with initially higher doses seemingly to front load. Why would they prescribe such a protocol?