Super's First Cycle - log

[superfluous]

Hey fellas.

I've finally decided to take the plunge into my first PED cycle and start this week. You can find my back story and motivations here https://thinksteroids.com/community/threads/first-cycle-researcher-making-an-intro.134433190/

I've been putting off the decision to go on cycle as I needed to sort out blood tests and also put on a lot more fat than I wanted over Christmas (about 2kg heavier from my leanest last year). But I decided screw it this weekend, I've recently started recovering strength in the gym and I figure I'll try cut for a month or two in the summer before vacation. I made some mistakes taking my bloods as well, but I'll describe that later.

My current stats are:
41,
5 ft 10 (178cm)
172lbs (78kg) - as of this morning, which is about 2lbs more than I've been steady.

The plan is 500mg test-c per week IM (had considered subq but changed my mind based on other's experience on this forum). I plan a cycle of 16 weeks leaving me stopping mid May (open to advice on 16 being too short/long). I took my first shot of 250mg Test C on Sunday 25th Jan.

Additions to my stack:
HCG 250iu EOD
Reta 5mg per week

I got my bloods done and ask for Male Hormone Profile (plus other health markers) but they didn't provide any E2 levels in the result, which is a mistake. I don't think I knew what I was asking for, but decided to carry on anyway with my first shot last weekend. When I do my next bloods I'll make sure to request a proper profile.

FSH) 2.7 IU/L
Luteinizing hormone (LH) 3.5 IU/L
Prolactin 253.4 mIU/L
Testosterone 22.7 nmol/L

ChatGPT tells me this is good for my age, but I haven't got much else to compare to. Other liver markers which might be relevant:

GOT/ AST 93.0 U/L - Males 1.0 - 37.0
GPT / ALT 128.3 U/L - Males 1.0 - 40.0
Gamma GT 44.0 U/L - Males 11.0 - 62.0
Alkaline phosphatase - 60.0 U/L
Total Bilirubin 5.1 umol/L - Reference Range 1.0 - 22.0
Albumin 44.0 g/L - Reference Range 38.0 - 54.0
Total Proteins 71.0 g/L

I was worried about those first 2 liver markets but according to the AI gods they can be indicative of high levels of resistance training and muscle protein breakdown in blood - and I had been in the gym 6 days straight before the test (but I'm open to other advice on those...) but yeah apparently the other markets invalidate a theory of liver damage (which I worry about as I drink).

Anyway that was my first mistake. My second mistake so far was (following a Youtube video) I did my first injection straight in my quad and while not painful going in, the injected oils felt erm, very uncomfortable to the point of giving me a muscle spasm for 30 minutes. I've been walking about for 2 days since as if I've destroyed my left leg in a leg extension i.e. it feels like muscle damage / discomfort - not nerves (but maybe I mix them up. I'm thinking I should go straight for the glute next time as that was not a comfortable experience (and again advice welcome).

My third (and hopefully final) mistake is I didn't order an AI when I got supplies - somehow I got it in my head that this was unlikely to be needed when reading a guide, but in between ordering I've now got the opinion it's probably needed. So I'll need to find an EU source for this in the coming days.

I think that's all I have. I will post some starting pictures I took today later once I get time to blare my face out.

Any advice so far welcome, I'm here to learn.

 

[stamdem]

Good luck!

 

[BabaJagga]

first two liver markers are basicly meaningless imo for lifters, ggt is one that you should look for.

you/we can see that you drink. i mad 0,37 in the middle of the anadrol run and ussually its under 0,15.

very simple solution, stop drinkin.

for eu sources there are few options that will deliver quickly, look for them in underground section. in about week you will have everything.

about pip, first few shots were painfull. virgin muscles, its normal. other than that, they will get used to oil. you should add 1-2 more muscles to rotation, with C ester its enough to pin 2x per week so 2-3 muscle groups x2 should get you covered for wuite a while.

buuut, if you wanna best results from first blast (you will never make that kind of progress again), stay at 250mg as cruise dose and cut hard. ive made mistake tryin to grow while fat and it backfired, i could have made double the progress... you can check my log.

when you are lean enough, you will have much better insulin sensitivity and be more metabolicly "ready" to start growing. also easier time with estrogen.

dont make the same mistake. good luck.

 

[superfluous]

first two liver markers are basicly meaningless imo for lifters, ggt is one that you should look for.

you/we can see that you drink. i mad 0,37 in the middle of the anadrol run and ussually its under 0,15.

very simple solution, stop drinkin.

for eu sources there are few options that will deliver quickly, look for them in underground section. in about week you will have everything.

about pip, first few shots were painfull. virgin muscles, its normal. other than that, they will get used to oil. you should add 1-2 more muscles to rotation, with C ester its enough to pin 2x per week so 2-3 muscle groups x2 should get you covered for wuite a while.

buuut, if you wanna best results from first blast (you will never make that kind of progress again), stay at 250mg as cruise dose and cut hard. ive made mistake tryin to grow while fat and it backfired, i could have made double the progress... you can check my log.

when you are lean enough, you will have much better insulin sensitivity and be more metabolicly "ready" to start growing. also easier time with estrogen.

dont make the same mistake. good luck.

Interesting about going the lean route, I wasn't sure it was a wise option - but it's an attractive one. I wasn't happy with my fat levels in my selfies (even though I'm 30kg+ lighter than 3 years ago) and I did think maybe if I kept my calories down I could hope for a recomp into a harder/solid look vs going for the maximum muscle/strength gains at the expense of pilling on the beef. In saying that I'm not even sure if I can ever achieve a proper cut look given where I came from (abs will certainly always be a struggle). Also thanks for the tips and I will check your log.

Anyway here's some awkward selfies for the purposes of keeping the thread more interesting with a before and after reveal in 16 weeks...

 

[BabaJagga]

Interesting about going the lean route, I wasn't sure it was a wise option - but it's an attractive one. I wasn't happy with my fat levels in my selfies (even though I'm 30kg+ lighter than 3 years ago) and I did think maybe if I kept my calories down I could hope for a recomp into a harder/solid look vs going for the maximum muscle/strength gains at the expense of pilling on the beef. In saying that I'm not even sure if I can ever achieve a proper cut look given where I came from (abs will certainly always be a struggle). Also thanks for the tips and I will check your log.

Anyway here's some awkward selfies for the purposes of keeping the thread more interesting with a before and after reveal in 16 weeks...

cut down on lower dose first and thank me later. you can recomp on lower doses after. you will have much much better results for sure mate.

with availability of glp1 peptides, cheap gh, its very easy to cut down. on 250 test you wont loose gram of muscle, probably even gain some.

after that you will be in much better position for adding new tissue + it will be summer time and you will be blasting 500mg, lookin and feelin much better.

 

[superfluous]

My first week was complete on Sunday. I decided to inject glutes subsequent times and had a much less traumatic experience.

No measurable weight changes. I'm coming off a very boring Dry January (alcohol free for a month) in which I worked out a crap ton so my gym sessions were good, regardless of starting T in the last week.

I've decided to stick to my original dosing of 500mg T / week as I just want to play it straight and easy on my first ever cycle and see how it works out. I intend to PCT after 16 weeks and not do another blast this year hoping my body goes back to pre-cycle hormone levels naturally at some point, so I'll just use the oils I've already purchased and try to learn how my body responds this time around.

I'm easing myself back into trying to eat the 2,500 calories. I'm not a huge eater despite being a natural fatty (we do exist!) so trying to get the calories in is a bit of a challenge - I don't usually eat lunch or breakfast so even just trying to find a regular lunch option beside my office is a new experience. I do actually feel a bit hungrier than usual the past week, but no idea if that's the T.

I realise I might leave a lot of gains off the table if I don't go for 3k calories+, but then I'm looking too fat so I think I'll likely just continue with what some would consider maintenance calories (although as a natural chubby I've tended to need to go much lower than 2.5k to lose fat in the past). I'll see if I start to recomp while hopefully gaining strength.

Now I have a new challenge as I'm traveling internationally this weekend for a week - at least within the EU so no customs checks to stress about the T in my suitcase. I need to figure out how I keep the HCG refrigerated though at short notice - maybe I just chuck it in a thermal flask with a few ice cubes...

 

[Rawk86]

Good luck, I'm following your progress! Considering my first PED cycle as well and our stats seem to be pretty similar. Gotta admit, your T-levels (at 41) look alot better than mine (at 39), my total T is at 12.4 NMOL/L and calculated free T at 0.288 NMOL/L.
I'm seeing an endo tomorrow to adress some low T symptoms I've been experiencing, so we'll see if TRT is on the cards or not.

 

[superfluous]

Good luck, I'm following your progress! Considering my first PED cycle as well and our stats seem to be pretty similar. Gotta admit, your T-levels (at 41) look alot better than mine (at 39), my total T is at 12.4 NMOL/L and calculated free T at 0.288 NMOL/L.
I'm seeing an endo tomorrow to adress some low T symptoms I've been experiencing, so we'll see if TRT is on the cards or not.

Good luck to you too! Others more experienced than me might comment but if you're struggling with lower T maybe there's little risk in going doses higher than TRT, if you're wanting some proper newbie muscle gains as well from your first cycle.

I was expecting lower natural T levels for myself when I tested to be honest - that's the first time I've got tested and had been struggling for strength after heavy dieting and weight loss for 3 years straight. I suspected age and the dieting had got to me.

It almost threw me off in fact - a lower T score would have justified my decision to do what I had already decided to do. Now I feel as I'm risking natural production by being too impatient with gains... Anyway now I've put my chips on the table, time to see the gamble out!

 

[superfluous]

Just a quick check in. I'm 3.5 weeks into my first cycle. I had a bad gym week last week - only managed 1 session as I had to travel for work then got rerouted in a storm to a different country on my way home...

Anyway weighing in this morning at 180lbs - so about 8lbs weight gain in 3.5 weeks. I haven't been over-eating, in fact I'm probably under eating - be surprised if I'm getting 2.5k calories. But in just trying to eat 3 meals a day I've eating more than I have done for years. It feels like I'm getting fat more than muscle mass though - probably more water weight. I'm considering upping the reta from 5mg per week to 7.5mg as I am feeling hungrier than I've been in years.

My gym sessions this week have been good... my first session of the week it knew I was going to be a great one before I even started. I walked in with a swagger and went straight heavy. I'm not quite getting close to 1RM PBs yet on the big compounds, but I'm certainly on my way back to my strongest (when I weighed about 20kg heavier...) and I'm easily sneaking extra reps in.

There's a chance it's either placebo or just actually eating properly giving me strength back at this early stage, but it feels good.

 

[Slowww]

3 weeks is enough to notice strength gains and weight gain from glycogen, nitrogen, water etc.
test will also make you feel hungrier, and so will growing. Try to reel it in and stick to whatever intentional plan you had set.

When you first start it’s better to stick to something consistent rather than ad hoc it based off of what you might feel the body wants, because it’s a lot of new info and hormonal changes will change your hunger, work capacity etc.

Earlier you said people can be fat but not eat a lot. How much cardio do you do, and would you consider yourself active or sedentary?

 

[superfluous]

3 weeks is enough to notice strength gains and weight gain from glycogen, nitrogen, water etc.
test will also make you feel hungrier, and so will growing. Try to reel it in and stick to whatever intentional plan you had set.

When you first start it’s better to stick to something consistent rather than ad hoc it based off of what you might feel the body wants, because it’s a lot of new info and hormonal changes will change your hunger, work capacity etc.

Earlier you said people can be fat but not eat a lot. How much cardio do you do, and would you consider yourself active or sedentary?

I'm a software engineer by trade so I spend too much time on my ass - but I tend to get the 6k+ steps in mostly via walking in normal life. Believe it or not I'm a 40+ year old and I don't have a driving license (not hugely uncommon in Europe). I live in a walkable city and get around by foot.

I am definitely fat but I have been my entire life and it takes me extra effort to keep it off. I've worked physical jobs before (10 hours in construction per day) and was still a chunk. The skinniest I've been is when I ran marathons in my 20s but it went back on as soon as I got injured (which happened).

I do understand the laws of physics and calories in / calories out - but somehow I'm even different to one of my own children (who is stick skinny) - the other one is more like myself... despite the same food environment.

 

[superfluous]

3 weeks is enough to notice strength gains and weight gain from glycogen, nitrogen, water etc.
test will also make you feel hungrier, and so will growing. Try to reel it in and stick to whatever intentional plan you had set.

When you first start it’s better to stick to something consistent rather than ad hoc it based off of what you might feel the body wants, because it’s a lot of new info and hormonal changes will change your hunger, work capacity etc.

Earlier you said people can be fat but not eat a lot. How much cardio do you do, and would you consider yourself active or sedentary?

Also thanks for the guidance on what I should expect in terms of body changes. I am aware of my own ignorance at this stage and this is exactly why I'm posting here, to get advice from those more experienced than myself.

 

[Slowww]

I'm a software engineer by trade so I spend too much time on my ass - but I tend to get the 6k+ steps in mostly via walking in normal life. Believe it or not I'm a 40+ year old and I don't have a driving license (not hugely uncommon in Europe). I live in a walkable city and get around by foot.

I am definitely fat but I have been my entire life and it takes me extra effort to keep it off. I've worked physical jobs before (10 hours in construction per day) and was still a chunk. The skinniest I've been is when I ran marathons in my 20s but it went back on as soon as I got injured (which happened).

I do understand the laws of physics and calories in / calories out - but somehow I'm even different to one of my own children (who is stick skinny) - the other one is more like myself... despite the same food environment.

Did you check your thyroid function? Those are important for a healthy metabolism especially as we age but I didn’t notice them in your blood assay results. Some people might need to use thyroid meds just like trt. Also steps might want to increase— a bit higher is recommended for health outcomes and it will definitely help weight-loss and be low stress. I still didn’t see you mention of cardio, and like you said with training for marathons and then being able to lose weight— a bit of cardio it will go a long way.

Also thanks for the guidance on what I should expect in terms of body changes. I am aware of my own ignorance at this stage and this is exactly why I'm posting here, to get advice from those more experienced than myself.

Yeah man no problem, it’s good to see youre on the right track. Don’t worry too much about initial weight coming on as thats par for the course, just have to note changes after and adjust your plan to make the changes align with the goal

 

[superfluous]

Did you check your thyroid function? Those are important for a healthy metabolism especially as we age but I didn’t notice them in your blood assay results. Some people might need to use thyroid meds just like trt. Also steps might want to increase— a bit higher is recommended for health outcomes and it will definitely help weight-loss and be low stress. I still didn’t see you mention of cardio, and like you said with training for marathons and then being able to lose weight— a bit of cardio it will go a long way.


Yeah man no problem, it’s good to see youre on the right track. Don’t worry too much about initial weight coming on as thats par for the course, just have to note changes after and adjust your plan to make the changes align with the goal

i didn't know to check thyroid functions but I do understand I'm complaining about being a natural chunk like a lady who has thyroid issues now I'm genuinely curious what markers to look for?

To answer the cardio question the answer is no, I do almost exclusive resistance training these days. I did however spend much of my youth trying to run and doing quite well at that - but at a certain point I found resistance training better for maintaining weight (and I have honestly put years of effort into both individually)

 

[Slowww]

i didn't know to check thyroid functions but I do understand I'm complaining about being a natural chunk like a lady who has thyroid issues now I'm genuinely curious what markers to look for?

To answer the cardio question the answer is no, I do almost exclusive resistance training these days. I did however spend much of my youth trying to run and doing quite well at that - but at a certain point I found resistance training better for maintaining weight (and I have honestly put years of effort into both individually)

Go test for t3 & t4. It’s not uncommon for them to decline as we age and it will affect metabolic health. Personally I like to supplement it to keep them in high natural range, and people with actual thyroid diseases do need it. Cardio will also help with metabolism beyond just burning calories and LISS or minimal HIT will not impede upon resistance training. If youre reqlly trying to get a better body composition and health you ought to seriously consider adding cardio, at a minimum 20 min 5x a week.

 

[thejumpingsheep]

Fellow dad and IT dude here.

Its a good starting cycle but you need to check your E2. Not good that you didnt have a baseline. One month in is a good point to pull them. 500mg should get you up to the 50s and over reference range. Dont panic if its over reference range. E2 isnt as bad as the internet makes it out to be. I wouldnt worry unless you get gyno symptoms or you are over 60. At least thats when I would start to worry.

Suggestion. Avoid fancy blood panels like "male hormone" or "body builder." Believe it or not, its usually cheaper to select tests separately anyway. I know its stupid, but thats how it is. Not sure where you get your tests from, but I really like Fitomics.

During cycle I usually just pull Total T, E2 sensitive, lipid panel, metabolic panel, IGF1. Dont need to pull everything every time unless you detect a problem. For instance if you feel fatigued a lot, might want to check ferratin and a few other things. Keep an eye on LDL. This is the one that usually skyrockets especially if you dont cardio. I suggest you do cardio (lol).

If you dont have one, get a fitness tracking watch with good battery life. Monitor RHR, HRV, HR and sleep. Gear impacts all these and bad sleep is not good. Not all watches can do HR. Do some digging. If you want a good inexpensive one, get a 1st gen Amazfit Balance and when you sign up, pick Brazil to avoid legal restrictions on HR monitoring. These can be had for under $100 and have 14 day battery. 7 if you turn on HR monitoring and sleep stuff.

As reference only, my AST/ALT are generally in the 30s and 40s even during cycle. Not sure I would ignore these just because you lift... never seen them climb that high unless I am sick.

Best of luck. Im interested in seeing progress. I did this cycle just over a year ago.