Do You Recommend Testosterone Only Cycles?

Q: I have two 10ml bottles of testosterone enanthate (200mg/ml). Is this enough for a cycle? I read that you should always use testosterone as a base, but that you need to stack it with other drugs too. How do you feel about a testosterone only cycle like this?

A: Two bottles of testosterone enanthate can certainly be enough for a cycle, especially if you are like most steroid users and take moderate doses for physique enhancement, and are not trying to win a major bodybuilding show. If it were I, I’d probably consider taking 400mg (2ml) per week for 10 weeks. This would be a nice length of time for good gains to accrue, and a sufficient dose of testosterone to support these gains. In general, I view testosterone as one of the safest and most effective anabolic/androgenic steroids. It seems to support all of the general actions required for mass gains. Testosterone possesses significant anabolic and androgenic activity, measurable anti-catabolic properties, and a moderate level of estrogenicity. All play their own role in supporting growth.

Testosterone is also not a c-17 methylated (alkylated) steroid, and is therefore readily broken down in the liver. This is a trait that allows it to also be far less stressful to serum lipids (HDL/LDL cholesterol) and hepatic enzymes than methylated steroids. Its moderate estrogenicity also helps to minimize the negative impacts on HDL/LDL cholesterol that can come with steroid administration. Studies have shown that in doses under 600mg per week, negative cholesterol alterations are noticed, but not “dramatic”. In many instances an individual can take 300-400mg of testosterone ester per week and not notice an HDL/LDL ratio shift outside of what is considered the normal range. Don’t get me wrong; there are always risks with steroid use, and even with these moderate doses of a mild drug you will still be shifting your cholesterol levels in a negative direction to some extent. If one is cautious, however, a testosterone-only cycle cannot only be effective, but it can be far safer than almost any multi-drug stack one might consider.

About the author

William Llewellyn

William Llewellyn is a research scientist and writer in the field of human performance enhancement. He is the author of several books including Underground Anabolics and Anabolics 10th Edition, one of the most widely read titles on the subject of performance enhancing substances.