The Truth about Low Dose Cycles

[SourGrapes]

I´ve been strength training for many years and have no history of steroid use. For some years now, I have encountered quite a few people that have had positive experiences with low dose testosterone cycles. I wanted to do some research and find reliable info on low dose testosterone cycles without digging through every steroid article and resource out there. Just to clarify, I´m not looking for anything spectacular or rapid. Just that little edge that a little testosterone therapy might provide.
So I´m wondering if anyone would help with a push in the right direction as to what you need to know before trying something like that?
By the way... I realize this is an old thread but since it was so relevant to my question, I figured it was alright...

EDIT: It might be worth mentioning that I live in a country where testosterone therapy definitely is something you don´t talk to your physician about, it´s a battle even getting your levels checked if your not dying, basically. I´m 30 and have been strength training since I was 19. But have strong reasons to believe that my hormone levels were affected in my younger years due to severe eating disorders, high volumes of training and other stress factors.......
Thanks again....

[BEAST]

Problem with your situation is not being able to find a steady source. By getting on and off of test you'll probably mess up your hormone levels more.

I suggest you get on some hcg or maybe some clomid or nolva to bring your own test levels up instead of doing a yo yo with outside stuff.

[TennesseeMuscle]

Came across this thread and wanted to share my experience. First, you will hear all over the internet from "steroid users"(abusers) that 200mg will do nothing but shut you down. That is bunk.

Here is my back story:
I was told about trt(hrt) and went into the clinic with my workout buddy. We both filled out the paperwork, had blood drawn for blood test's and got our first shot. Was told our test results would be in the following week.

Starting weight: 155 lbs
Height: 5'9"

The following week we both returned for our second shot. The tests came back and my levels were in the 200 range. My buddies levels were in the 600 range and they turned him away. I was able to go ahead and start trt based on my levels.

I was started on 200mg every week. Every six weeks my blood was drawn and I was given the results. Basically this is what happened after 6 weeks:

PSA level went down a bit. -Which is good
Estrogen (estridol) level elevated a little. -not bad, but needed control
Testosterone level was at 829. - good and high normal for my age

My buddy and I had basically the same body type and were the same age. Same height, same starting weight, comparable body fat.

During the first 12 weeks I gained a little weight but nothing significant in my mind. Something around 4 pounds gained. My energy, strength and sex drive went up. I was not making incredible gains but felt good and was recovering well from working out.

I continued my workout routine, trt, and diet.

At about 18 weeks of me being on trt my workout buddy stopped coming to the gym with me.(I think it was jealousy of my gains). I started gaining more weight and getting noticibly bigger. By 24 weeks I had put on a solid 10 lbs total and my waist was still a size 30w.

Around this time I complained about being tired, so the Doctor bumped me to 250mg every week. Stayed at that dose for about 6 weeks until my next blood work. Around 24 weeks my blood results showed a significnt spike in hematocrit levels(upper end of normal), and my test levels were up in the 900-950 range now on the day of my next injection.

This is the rest of my experience-

Over the course of a year of trt of an average dose of 200mg every week, my weight went from 155 to 183. My waist went from a 30w to 32w, I noticed some body fat but I intentionally was trying to gain weight and bulk up.

Results:
-27 lb gain in a year.
-My hair started thining and receding.
-Some acne when my dose was at 250mg.
-High hematocrit levels.
-Lower PSA levels
-No change in cholestorol
-Elevated estrogen (started an AI from the Dr.)

Concerns:
-Elevated estrogen
-High hermatocrit levels

The positives- It was great to hear people say I was looking younger and looking healthier. I felt better about myself, had more energy, and a positive attitude towards life. Towards the end of the first year people at the gym would come up to me and tell me "Bro, you know steroids are bad for you." Peoeple will notice. Yes even on the low dose, with a proper diet, good training and rest, you will see results. It takes dedication. It will not happen over night, it is a slow steady progress.

I'm a huge believer in TRT(HRT). I was always a hard gainer, and would lift weights and never ever put on anything. People say - "it's your genetics."

I could talk more about this but I think you get an idea of my experience. I would happily answer any questions.

One more thing. I think that a dose of 160mg to 180mg every week is amazingly effective as a maintenace dose. Meaning, If you take a break from lifting for a month or so you will see very little loss in size or strength. From my experience it's as if the trt at that dose just maintains what you already have. I think that is a fantastic bonus. It's a safe dose, so when life happens and you have to take a break from the gym, you can feel good about not losing much of your gains.

TRT(HRT) May not be right for you, But I think everyone should get checked because it changes life. It changed my life. Best of luck to everyone thinking about TRT or trying a low dose cycle. Give it a chance.

[brutalx]

Very interesting read. I'm also on trt but only on 100mg per week and believe it or not I've gotten shredded after 3 months. I've dropped from 190lbs to 170lbs.
Now I'm trying to get back up again. My doctor will never give me 200mg per week. That's why I'm thinking of doing a cycle of 400 mg per week for 10 weeks.

But at the same I'm debating should I just do 250 per week for longer like 20 weeks.any input on this?

Came across this thread and wanted to share my experience. First, you will hear all over the internet from "steroid users"(abusers) that 200mg will do nothing but shut you down. That is bunk.

Here is my back story:
I was told about trt(hrt) and went into the clinic with my workout buddy. We both filled out the paperwork, had blood drawn for blood test's and got our first shot. Was told our test results would be in the following week.

Starting weight: 155 lbs
Height: 5'9"

The following week we both returned for our second shot. The tests came back and my levels were in the 200 range. My buddies levels were in the 600 range and they turned him away. I was able to go ahead and start trt based on my levels.

I was started on 200mg every week. Every six weeks my blood was drawn and I was given the results. Basically this is what happened after 6 weeks:

PSA level went down a bit. -Which is good
Estrogen (estridol) level elevated a little. -not bad, but needed control
Testosterone level was at 829. - good and high normal for my age

My buddy and I had basically the same body type and were the same age. Same height, same starting weight, comparable body fat.

During the first 12 weeks I gained a little weight but nothing significant in my mind. Something around 4 pounds gained. My energy, strength and sex drive went up. I was not making incredible gains but felt good and was recovering well from working out.

I continued my workout routine, trt, and diet.

At about 18 weeks of me being on trt my workout buddy stopped coming to the gym with me.(I think it was jealousy of my gains). I started gaining more weight and getting noticibly bigger. By 24 weeks I had put on a solid 10 lbs total and my waist was still a size 30w.

Around this time I complained about being tired, so the Doctor bumped me to 250mg every week. Stayed at that dose for about 6 weeks until my next blood work. Around 24 weeks my blood results showed a significnt spike in hematocrit levels(upper end of normal), and my test levels were up in the 900-950 range now on the day of my next injection.

This is the rest of my experience-

Over the course of a year of trt of an average dose of 200mg every week, my weight went from 155 to 183. My waist went from a 30w to 32w, I noticed some body fat but I intentionally was trying to gain weight and bulk up.

Results:
-27 lb gain in a year.
-My hair started thining and receding.
-Some acne when my dose was at 250mg.
-High hematocrit levels.
-Lower PSA levels
-No change in cholestorol
-Elevated estrogen (started an AI from the Dr.)

Concerns:
-Elevated estrogen
-High hermatocrit levels

The positives- It was great to hear people say I was looking younger and looking healthier. I felt better about myself, had more energy, and a positive attitude towards life. Towards the end of the first year people at the gym would come up to me and tell me "Bro, you know steroids are bad for you." Peoeple will notice. Yes even on the low dose, with a proper diet, good training and rest, you will see results. It takes dedication. It will not happen over night, it is a slow steady progress.

I'm a huge believer in TRT(HRT). I was always a hard gainer, and would lift weights and never ever put on anything. People say - "it's your genetics."

I could talk more about this but I think you get an idea of my experience. I would happily answer any questions.

One more thing. I think that a dose of 160mg to 180mg every week is amazingly effective as a maintenace dose. Meaning, If you take a break from lifting for a month or so you will see very little loss in size or strength. From my experience it's as if the trt at that dose just maintains what you already have. I think that is a fantastic bonus. It's a safe dose, so when life happens and you have to take a break from the gym, you can feel good about not losing much of your gains.

TRT(HRT) May not be right for you, But I think everyone should get checked because it changes life. It changed my life. Best of luck to everyone thinking about TRT or trying a low dose cycle. Give it a chance.

[Beserker]

In all honesty in my 12 yrs of cycling aas I have gone up to 2 grams of various compounds combined but am making great gains off of 500mg test, 250mg deca, 50mg proviron. No need for huge cycles but this also depends on the individual user too...trial and error as to what will work best for you