Cutting: Reta and cycle?

[LondonBoyUK]

Hey all,

26, 89Kg, 175cm. Gym 4/5 days a week.

Looking for some advice, I have started taking reta to assist me with a fairly steep cut. I’m currently sitting around 20% fat, looking to cut to 10-15%. On my frame this will be around 70kg territory, perhaps less.

In 2024, I cut from 94kg to 76kg in three months while on tirz but I lost a surprising amount of muscle. It took all of 2025 to regain size and strength lost in that cut.

I would like to preserve as much muscle this time. I’m more clued into diet now, making sure I’m hitting my macros while on the cut, but my question is this - is it worth running some gear while I do to help preserve muscle mass?

I have some left over test c from abandoned TRT so I would look to use that. What is the minimum quantity would help here?

Thank you all.

 

[Cyp180]

Most you lose fat and water, no muscle mass. It looks like you have more mass, but most you lose in cut is fat and water. When on 8-10% you see what your mass is, and gain lean after reaching that %.
As for test use, i would do low dose at 200mg week

 

[LondonBoyUK]

Most you lose fat and water, no muscle mass. It looks like you have more mass, but most you lose in cut is fat and water. When on 8-10% you see what your mass is, and gain lean after reaching that %.
As for test use, i would do low dose at 200mg week

Thanks so you think I should just cut to a very lean (8-10%) position then lean bulk without using TRT?

 

[Cyp180]

Thanks so you think I should just cut to a very lean (8-10%) position then lean bulk without using TRT?

I would only take 200mg a week Testo

 

[Manualtrt]

Why did you stop TRT? Depending on your reasons, I would be looking to restart TRT, potentially with a period of TRT+ during the aggressive period of your cut

 

[LondonBoyUK]

Why did you stop TRT? Depending on your reasons, I would be looking to restart TRT, potentially with a period of TRT+ during the aggressive period of your cut

I stopped as it was costing a fortune through a clinic, and I had to focus on work so training took a back seat.

My understanding is taking some test will help retain muscle lost when cutting - is that right?

If so, I have most of a vial of Test C left, what do you think a sensible amount would be to take weekly?

Thank you!

 

[Manualtrt]

Ah. Yes crazy expensive to go via a clinic. I’m still with a clinic but I’m going to go ugl this year.

Going by bloodwork is the best way to do it. I would start at 160mg that is TRT+ territory, give that 8 weeks. Do bloods and see where you are. A more sustainable (TRT) dose will be around 100-120mg. But everyone is different that’s why you need to be guided by your bloods (test, lipids) and BP.

It will help retain it, but what happens when you stop and pct? You will invariably lose muscle and potentially reduce your test levels.

So if you don’t want to TRT and you don’t want to cycle at supraphysiological levels, I would cut natty

 

[LondonBoyUK]

Ah. Yes crazy expensive to go via a clinic. I’m still with a clinic but I’m going to go ugl this year.

Going by bloodwork is the best way to do it. I would start at 160mg that is TRT+ territory, give that 8 weeks. Do bloods and see where you are. A more sustainable (TRT) dose will be around 100-120mg. But everyone is different that’s why you need to be guided by your bloods (test, lipids) and BP.

It will help retain it, but what happens when you stop and pct? You will invariably lose muscle and potentially reduce your test levels.

So if you don’t want to TRT and you don’t want to cycle at supraphysiological levels, I would cut natty

Nice, thanks that’s really useful.

Interestingly, my T came right back after I stopped TRT, but I was on a fairly low dose. Have a decent idea of my normal bloods from the bloods taken for the clinic.

I’m open to sourcing UGL and maintaining at the minimum dosage needed to keep progressing - need to cost it all up and decide. Meanwhile the vial I have is burning a hole in me everytime I see it haha.

 

[Athleticfreak]

Nice, thanks that’s really useful.

Interestingly, my T came right back after I stopped TRT, but I was on a fairly low dose. Have a decent idea of my normal bloods from the bloods taken for the clinic.

I’m open to sourcing UGL and maintaining at the minimum dosage needed to keep progressing - need to cost it all up and decide. Meanwhile the vial I have is burning a hole in me everytime I see it haha.

You can buy 4 vials of test cyp from a good source here on Meso for $140 total and be set for a year.

 

[LondonBoyUK]

You can buy 4 vials of test cyp from a good source here on Meso for $140 total and be set for a year.

Yeah the UGL cost wasn’t prohibitive, rather the clinic costs.

So do you agree with ManualTRT that l it would be sensible to run 160mg a week while on Reta?