Tell me about testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) or cruising...

[electricred]

Tell me about TRT or cruising...

Just finishing up my first cycle of 500mg test, now on last week of post cycle therapy (pct). With the help of a 4k calorie diet I gained 15-18 lbs, but I've lost about 8 at this point. So if that levels off I kept about 50% of the gains, which is fine. I even lost a little waist size.

Anyways, it was a good experience, but now I'm thinking about what I'm doing next, Feb/March timeframe. I was originally thinking doing the same cycle with added a little deca or just a dbol kick start. But my main goal is strength for powerlifting and I've been reading many who blast and cruises on just test for very long periods of time, and don't bother with PCT, just taking Aromatase inhibitor (AI) if any unwanted symptoms pop up. I had no side effects on 500mg and used 12.5mg aromasin daily, although not sure if I really even needed that. I also took Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) throughout cycle until post cycle therapy (pct).

So would cruising on Test be beneficial for 'permanent' strength gains since I'm aiming more towards performance than physique? Most of the info around here is for cycling with physique goals in mind. I simply want to move more weight, and increase recovery so I can hit my body even harder. It's much more economical to cruise on test than to cycle with additional compounds.

Where can I get some information on how blasting and cruising works? Especially any concerns or side effects it could have over cycling.

 

[halfwit]

First off, a good portion of the weight you lost was likely water as your hormone levels started returning to their natural state. My guess is that you probably had slightly elevated estradiol levels and just aren't sensitive to the other side effects of it. This is why a pre-cycle, mid-cycle and post-PCT blood test are recommended; so you can verify with certainty not only where you're at hormone-wise, but also to know if you've fully recovered.

Cruising isn't something I would recommend if you have a healthy natural testosterone production, and 10lbs of LBM is still VERY good from a cycle, even if a few pounds of that are fat. I think the main problem folks have with cycling the first time is that they have really high expectations of what AAS will do for them, and have a predetermined concept of how they're going to blow up like the hulk, only to see a good portion of that deflate once done. Cruising is beneficial if you have exceeded your genetic potential (read: 300lbs at 5'10" @12% bf) and your body cannot support that muscle mass with your natural hormone levels. If you have good natural levels (you really should have it checked) and are not exceeding what your body can support with them, I would cycle off and on like the vast majority do.

TRT is a life-long commitment intended for those with sub-physiological testosterone levels. Many of us on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) are on replacement not necessarily because of AAS usage, but it is a potential risk as you do suppress your HPTA every time you cycle - potentially causing it to remain shut-down permanently. It is not something you PCT out of (with FEW exceptions), and will continue to inject exogenous testosterone for the rest of your life. Do not take that decision lightly. I have been on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for four years, and while the "perks" of not having to PCT are indeed a silver lining, I would gladly trade in my script for a healthy pair of testicles.

My .02c

 

[Mad- scientist]

Ya I think halfwit has a really good point. Me personally I am going to cycle as long as I can tell I either have to go on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) or if I get into competitive bodybuilding at a level were I need to blast and cruise and it is worth it financially.