Q & A with John Connor Expert AAS advisor

[heavyiron]

500mg test e wk...

cruised 6wks at 250mg test e wk upped to 500mg 2wks ago..

been off the tren for 8wks..

side effects of tren raised blood pressure with occasional nose bleeds when i added tren e with the tren a..

Ok, good to know. I think timing your tren is very important. Basically you are on week 2 of the cycle so that puts the tren ace at week 9. This is ideal timing as gains tend to stall out around that week in a typical cycle.

I love Nandrolone and Test up front in a cycle. It's a great mass combo and the joint relief is a welcomed aspect for heavy lifting.

I know you have been dieting and this is also ideal timing to rebound out of the diet and add mass and strength. If you are open to it I would up my cals a bit and push your body for growth.

You will grow easily since you are newly back into training again. I like the cycle, timing and compounds brother. You have done your homework.

 

[Rednack]

Ok, good to know. I think timing your tren is very important. Basically you are on week 2 of the cycle so that puts the tren ace at week 9. This is ideal timing as gains tend to stall out around that week in a typical cycle.

I love Nandrolone and Test up front in a cycle. It's a great mass combo and the joint relief is a welcomed aspect for heavy lifting.

I know you have been dieting and this is also ideal timing to rebound out of the diet and add mass and strength. If you are open to it I would up my cals a bit and push your body for growth.

You will grow easily since you are newly back into training again. I like the cycle, timing and compounds brother. You have done your homework.

Thank you for your time SIR..Your advice is greatly appreciated..

I'll up the cals and we'll see..

Keep up the good work my brother..

 

[fit4life]

Hey Heavy i researched forum for this info but truely value your expertise. With that said i am planning on doing a heavy bulker which includes test cypionate. The issue is that the substantial amount of cypionate i recieved hade frozen crystals in it. I have heated the compound as reccomended and the solution appears to be holding. 1) In all honesty does this hurt the POTENCY at all because the gear has crashed already once! I mean even a little bit? 2) Does the amount of crystals frozen in vial show a determining factor of the amount of steroid chemical thats in the specific the vial? Thank you.

 

[IAMLEGEND1]

Been off since Oct, Pct ended Jan, Bloodwork couple days ago, what you think?

Test Serum - 189 348-1197
LH - 4.2 1.7-8.6
FSH - 3.4 1.5-12.4
Estro - 19.4 7.6-42.6
AST - 44 0-40
ALT - 81 0-55

 

[nick52]

thanks heavy, im glad this section now exists, thanks for taking the time to answer my questions, im 52 and i have hep c but i take care of myself i dont drink, i dont use narcotic drugs, plenty water and alot of exercise has enabled me to live healthy, i just have to be careful with what i use, i would love to use tren a, i dont think the benefit outweighs the risk
thanks

 

[spartan1]

1. IT varies widely as diet, cardio and body fat greatly can effect BP. However within 1-2 months BP should return to normal if all things are equal. I use CQ-10 year around along with Hawthorne and Celery seed extract in IML's Advanced Cycle Support. This is a product that has worked very well for me in regards to BP.

IronMagLabs Bodybuilding Supplements & Prohormones: Advanced Cycle Support

2. Most users prefer to have at least some Testosterone in their stacks because you do not produce Testosterone naturally while on steroids. Testosterone helps with improved, mood, energy and libido therefore using testosterone after discontinuing other steroids will make the cycle more comfortable. I like sex so for me testosterone is a HUGE benefit in almost any stack.

Thank you, I will be checking out the Advanced Cycle Support as recommended.

 

[Doogsy]

Heavy,

Ive done 5/6 cycles in the past but have never gone over 600mg/week of test. I like to be cautious at all times when cycling and dont want to saturate my receptors/become reliant on heavy dosages. Im 24y/o, 200lbs, 14%bf.

For my next cycle, I was thinking of doing 750 test e and 600eq for 14-16 weeks in an effort to "lean bulk".

Having read your threads both here and at RXmuscle, Im now trying to decide what would be more beneficial. The above cycle, or the cycle you recommend:

Week 1-5 600mg Testosterone weekly
Week 6-8 800mg Testosterone weekly
Week 9-10 1 gram Testosterone weekly

Thanks in advance!
​

 

[HAASMASS]

Hi Heavy, My mother is 52 years old in decent shape and wants to know if she could use a low dose of anavar or winstrol with moderate exercise to lose body fat and increase LBM? If you think this would be ok for a healthy 52 year old woman what dose would you recommend?

Thanks a lot!

 

[Pork Chop]

Hi Heavy, My mother is 52 years old in decent shape and wants to know if she could use a low dose of anavar or winstrol with moderate exercise to lose body fat and increase LBM? If you think this would be ok for a healthy 52 year old woman what dose would you recommend?

Thanks a lot!

He will need to see naked pics first sir. that is the only way to tell if Winny or Var will work on females over 49 years of age. But his e-mail is not working at this time so please post them here. he will be the only one to view the naked pics. the rest of us will look away as we scroll down this, ok?

if you dont know how to post pics, please PM me and I will tell you how sir.

 

[squigader]

Hi Heavy, My mother is 52 years old in decent shape and wants to know if she could use a low dose of anavar or winstrol with moderate exercise to lose body fat and increase LBM? If you think this would be ok for a healthy 52 year old woman what dose would you recommend?

Thanks a lot!

I'm not heavy, but unless she's been training for many years, I wouldn't recommend it and they wouldn't do anything for her that natural training wouldn't (unless she has been training a long time of course).

 

[Pork Chop]

I'm not heavy, but unless she's been training for many years, I wouldn't recommend it and they wouldn't do anything for her that natural training wouldn't (unless she has been training a long time of course).

BULLSHIT!!!!!
Must see some naked pics first,,,


LOL

 

[heavyiron]

Hey Heavy i researched forum for this info but truely value your expertise. With that said i am planning on doing a heavy bulker which includes test cypionate. The issue is that the substantial amount of cypionate i recieved hade frozen crystals in it. I have heated the compound as reccomended and the solution appears to be holding. 1) In all honesty does this hurt the POTENCY at all because the gear has crashed already once! I mean even a little bit? 2) Does the amount of crystals frozen in vial show a determining factor of the amount of steroid chemical thats in the specific the vial? Thank you.

1. No, potency will not be affected if the hormone "falls" out of solution and then is put back into solution with heat.

2. The crystals are very likely hormone that have "fallen" out of solution.

 

[heavyiron]

Been off since Oct, Pct ended Jan, Bloodwork couple days ago, what you think?

Test Serum - 189 348-1197
LH - 4.2 1.7-8.6
FSH - 3.4 1.5-12.4
Estro - 19.4 7.6-42.6
AST - 44 0-40
ALT - 81 0-55

Testosterone levels are very low if that is ng/dl. Looks like your testes are not producing much T at this time. I would retest in 4 weeks. Try to do labs around 10:00 am after a good nights sleep.

Liver enzymes are slightly elevated. This may be due to dehydration and/or weight training. Do no weight lifting for 10 days before your next labs and stay well hydrated.

 

[heavyiron]

thanks heavy, im glad this section now exists, thanks for taking the time to answer my questions, im 52 and i have hep c but i take care of myself i dont drink, i dont use narcotic drugs, plenty water and alot of exercise has enabled me to live healthy, i just have to be careful with what i use, i would love to use tren a, i dont think the benefit outweighs the risk
thanks

I think using Tren Ace may be possible but given your history I would strongly advise labs during the cycle to see if you are causing additional stress to your organs. 225mg of Tren Ace weekly is plenty for a new user of Tren. You may consider stacking with 300mg Testosterone weekly to maintain libido. If your labs come back at a level you are uncomfortable with I would stop using the Tren and continue with just the Testosterone however you need to seriously weigh the risks yourself.

 

[heavyiron]

Heavy,

Ive done 5/6 cycles in the past but have never gone over 600mg/week of test. I like to be cautious at all times when cycling and dont want to saturate my receptors/become reliant on heavy dosages. Im 24y/o, 200lbs, 14%bf.

For my next cycle, I was thinking of doing 750 test e and 600eq for 14-16 weeks in an effort to "lean bulk".

Having read your threads both here and at RXmuscle, Im now trying to decide what would be more beneficial. The above cycle, or the cycle you recommend:

Week 1-5 600mg Testosterone weekly
Week 6-8 800mg Testosterone weekly
Week 9-10 1 gram Testosterone weekly

Thanks in advance!
​

I'm a very big fan of Testosterone because it just plain works very well. I don't really like EQ because it's so weak. Therefore I would much rather do the increasing dose Testosterone cycle instead.

Nutrition and training will drive the goal of lean bulking so eat and train with that in mind brother.

 

[fit4life]

1. No, potency will not be affected if the hormone "falls" out of solution and then is put back into solution with heat.

2. The crystals are very likely hormone that have "fallen" out of solution.

^ gotcha, thank you again your a plethura of knowledge!

 

[heavyiron]

Hi Heavy, My mother is 52 years old in decent shape and wants to know if she could use a low dose of anavar or winstrol with moderate exercise to lose body fat and increase LBM? If you think this would be ok for a healthy 52 year old woman what dose would you recommend?

Thanks a lot!

Both Anavar and Winstrol will significantly lower HDL cholesterol so she needs to know this and assess her threshold for risk. Nutrition and training are far more important for her to reach her goals but once those are dialed in a simple Anavar cycle at 10mg daily for 8 weeks is what I recommend for first time female users.

The following is an excellent post by Sassy69 on Anavar. Sassy is by far one of the best female advisers on AAS. She is one of a very few that I trust with female applications.

Women & Anavar by Sassy69

*Note: * caveat about this is general information & not medical recommendations *
Overview
Anavar is the preferred and most commonly recommended cycle for beginners and for women looking for a "fitness girl look" versus a bodybuilder look. The sides are generally the most predictable and mild of all the AAS available, while producing good quality and maintainable results. Anavar does not aromatize so there is little or no water retention due to converted estrogen.

Typical Use
Anavar is probably the most commonly used AAS by women, for physique competition or by women who "want to go to the next level". It might be used by figure competitors for off-season building with an appropriate diet, or during contest prep for cutting, preservation of muscle during a cutting diet, and improved recovery.

Anavar promotes lean muscle mass with minimal sides and occasional water retention. It is a oral steroid, though used in small enough doses that its impact on the liver is minimal for women. It is also attractive to women and beginners who are not interested in dealing with needles. The predictable and minimal sides are also attractive points to those not wanting to deal with the more individual and androgenic sides of most other AAS.

Typical Cycle
Dose: 10 mg / day - split the dose 1/2 in the AM, 1/2 in the PM
Duration: 10-14 weeks
No need to taper down the dose or follow with post cycle therapy (PCT).
Generally suggested to start the cycle at 5 mg / day (splitting doses as above) for the first 10-14 days to identify any adverse reaction. After that time, can increase to 10 mg / day.
Suggested maximum dose is 20 mg / day (though more is not better - often 10 mg is sufficient). As the dose increases, sides may increase and results don't necessarily increase. Anecdotally, if the cycler is interested in going to doses above 20 mg, the sides become comparable with those of more aggressive AAS, such that it might actually be better to go to one of those compounds for better results.


Typical Sides
- interrupted period / flow - may take a few months for the flow to come back as normal. (This is common for most any AAS.)
- may still experience usual menstrual sides (cramps, bloating, etc.) on your regular menstrual schedule
- mild acne
- oily hair
- some experience water retention (though not due to aromatization)
- may cause vaginosis / yeast infection (most any AAS has this potential)

 

[littlekev]

Ok Heavy, need some guidance on how to dry up, and even stay dry. I have been cutting hard and doing great but cannot seem to shed that last bit of water. i am off cycle now to try and dry up because i seem to aromatize at a high rate weather its 300 or 1500 mg test. looked into diuretics, wondering your thoughts, tricks, etc. See guys running 2 grams of test a week and are shredded?? im missing something. Thanks, rep

 

[HAASMASS]

thanks so much heavy!

 

[swollen]

Sup heavy
I'm think'n in a way that this is a dumb ques., but would like to know your thoughts...
On takin' T3 & dbol at the same time?

 

[heavyiron]

Ok Heavy, need some guidance on how to dry up, and even stay dry. I have been cutting hard and doing great but cannot seem to shed that last bit of water. i am off cycle now to try and dry up because i seem to aromatize at a high rate weather its 300 or 1500 mg test. looked into diuretics, wondering your thoughts, tricks, etc. See guys running 2 grams of test a week and are shredded?? im missing something. Thanks, rep

It would be interesting for you to get labs. Some guys have higher than normal E2.

Carbs and sodium can really make you hold water as well. Might try sodium and water manipulation.

Diuretics work but I would not take them long term. Might look into OTC diuretics first brother.

 

[heavyiron]

Sup heavy
I'm think'n in a way that this is a dumb ques., but would like to know your thoughts...
On takin' T3 & dbol at the same time?

Its perfectly fine brother.

 

[r00kie]

Thank you Heavy! This thread is epic!

What is your opinion about ghrp-6? What are the side effects? Can it be used in place of hgh?

 

[sofargone561]

thoughts on dbol at 30mgs a day for 10 weeks?

 

[_LG_]

Heavy, did you know that you are my gear hero?

 

[littlekev]

It would be interesting for you to get labs. Some guys have higher than normal E2.

Carbs and sodium can really make you hold water as well. Might try sodium and water manipulation.

Diuretics work but I would not take them long term. Might look into OTC diuretics first brother.

Yes i plain to have my labs drawn in about a week, i believe my test is pretty low, i was blasting and cruising for 1.5 years and decided i should cycle as im still young. I believe recovery is possible for me but will be tough. Surprisingly im on day 10 and still feel good, did a shot of 100mg prop 11 days ago, and all long esters have been stopped for a couple months so i am nerviously awaiting the crash lol. My estro was high last test so i decided to go off run good pct and let body chill. Im going to look into sodium and water manipulation for sure. Im only running 100 g carbs a day and low sodium and lots cardio so i believe its estro related. Thanks for the help! Will post labs when received.

 

[squigader]

I typically like guys to use a SERM for recovery but we do have some good science on Aromatase Inhibitors like Arimidex and Letrozole reversing Hypogonadism. AI's can increase LH and FSH as well as the more obvious raising of free Testosterone and the lowering of Estradiol.

However with that said, most studies on reversing hypogonadism using AI's use much longer durations than your proposal. 4 weeks to 6 months are the ranges in the studies I have read, therefore at least a 4 week AI treatment would be advised.

Here are a few studies for you to look at on the topic brother;

Effect of aromatase inhibition on lipids and inflammatory markers of cardiovascular disease in elderly men with low testosterone levels.

Dougherty RH, Rohrer JL, Hayden D, Rubin SD, Leder BZ.
Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.

OBJECTIVE: Although androgen replacement has been shown to have beneficial effects in hypogonadal men, there is concern that androgens may deleteriously affect cardiovascular risk in elderly men.

DESIGN: Anastrozole is an oral aromatase inhibitor that normalizes serum testosterone levels and decreases oestradiol levels modestly in elderly men with mild hypogonadism. Thirty-seven elderly hypogonadal men were randomized to receive either anastrozole 1 mg daily (n = 12), anastrozole 1 mg twice weekly (n = 11), or daily placebo (n = 14) for 12 weeks in a double-blind fashion.

PATIENTS: Men aged 62-74 years with mild hypogonadism defined by testosterone levels less than 350 ng/dl.

MEASUREMENTS: Serum levels of fasting lipids, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) scores were measured at 4-week intervals.

RESULTS: Treatment with anastrozole did not significantly affect fasting lipids, inflammatory markers (IL-6, CRP), adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1) or insulin sensitivity (HOMA). There was, however, a positive correlation between changes in serum triglycerides and changes in serum oestradiol levels (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS: While short-term administration of anastrozole is an effective method of normalizing serum testosterone levels in elderly men with mild hypogonadism, it does not appear to adversely affect lipid profiles, inflammatory markers of cardiovascular risk or insulin resistance.

PMID: 15670201 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005 Oct;90(10):5717-22. Epub 2005 Jul 26.

Comparative assessment in young and elderly men of the gonadotropin response to aromatase inhibition.

T'Sjoen GG, Giagulli VA, Delva H, Crabbe P, De Bacquer D, Kaufman JM.
Department of Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium. guy.tsjoen@ugent.be

Abstract

CONTEXT: Aging in men is associated with a decline in serum testosterone (T) levels.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to assess whether decreased T in aging might result from increased estradiol (E2) negative feedback on gonadotropin secretion.

DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a comparative intervention study (2004) in the Outpatient Endocrinology Clinic, Ghent University Hospital.

PARTICIPANTS: Participants included healthy young and elderly men (n = 10 vs. 10).

INTERVENTIONS: We used placebo and letrozole (2.5 mg/d) for 28 d, separated by 2 wk washout.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We assessed changes in serum levels of free E2, LH, and FSH, free T, SHBG, and gonadotropins response to an i.v. 2.5-microg GnRH bolus.

RESULTS: As assessed after 28 d of treatment, letrozole lowered E2 by 46% in the young men (P = 0.002) and 62% in the elderly men (P < 0.001). In both age groups, letrozole, but not placebo, significantly increased LH levels (339 and 323% in the young and the elderly, respectively) and T (146 and 99%, respectively) (P value of young vs. elderly was not significant). Under letrozole, peak LH response to GnRH was 152 and 52% increase from baseline in young and older men, respectively (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: Aromatase inhibition markedly increased basal LH and T levels and the LH response to GnRH in both young and elderly men. The observation of similar to greater LH responses in the young compared with the elderly does not support the hypothesis that increased restraining of LH secretion by endogenous estrogens is instrumental in age-related decline of Leydig cell function.


PMID: 16046582 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Eur J Endocrinol. 2008 May;158(5):741-7.

Letrozole once a week normalizes serum testosterone in obesity-related male hypogonadism.

Loves S, Ruinemans-Koerts J, de Boer H.
Department of Internal Medicine, Ziekenhuis Rijnstate, Wagnerlaan 55, 6800 TA Arnhem, The Netherlands.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) is frequently observed in severely obese men, probably as a result of increased estradiol (E(2)) production and E(2)-mediated negative feedback on pituitary LH secretion. Aromatase inhibitors can reverse this process. This study evaluates whether letrozole once a week can normalize serum testosterone in severely obese men and maintain its long term effect.

DESIGN: Open, uncontrolled 6-month pilot study in 12 severely obese men (body mass index>35.0 kg/m(2)) with obesity-related IHH and free testosterone levels <225 pmol/l, treated with 2.5 mg letrozole once a week for 6 months.

RESULTS: Six weeks of treatment reduced total E(2) from 123+/-11 to 58+/-7 pmol/l (P<0.001, mean+/-s.e.m.), and increased serum LH from 4.4+/-0.6 to 11.1+/-1.5 U/l (P<0.001). Total testosterone rose from 5.9+/-0.5 to 19.6+/-1.4 nmol/l (P<0.001), and free testosterone from 163+/-13 to 604+/-50 pmol/l (P<0.001). Total testosterone rose to within the normal range in all subjects, whereas free testosterone rose to supraphysiological levels in 7 out of 12 men. The testosterone and E(2) levels were stable throughout the week and during the 6-month treatment period.

CONCLUSION: Letrozole 2.5 mg once a week produced a sustained normalization of serum total testosterone in obese men with IHH. However, free testosterone frequently rose to supraphysiological levels. Therefore, a starting dose <2.5 mg once a week is recommended.

PMID: 18426834 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Wow, thanks for the excellent response! I looked up the studies on pubmed and will be taking them into account. Will try an AI-based PCT for a good 4 weeks and see how it goes. If the science holds up (and the studies really do seem to be pointing this way), an AI alone should work great (and more "naturally," in regards to the mechanism, and with less side effects), but I'll have a backup regular-style PCT lined up in case.

Perhaps a completely AI-based PCT may work better than one which includes SERMS, and without the sides.

 

[PJ BRAUN]

I go away for 1 weekend and your Q and A has more views then mine!? Not acceptable!!

 

[heavyiron]

I go away for 1 weekend and your Q and A has more views then mine!? Not acceptable!!

Haha, you better get to work!

 

[Night_Wolf]

Heavy, what is better for hard, dry and vascular look on low bf - EQ or Mast? (along with Test E).

What dosage do you recommend for that purpose?