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PLEASE READ BEFORE RESPONDING

This is intentionally a detailed and fairly long post.

I understand that it contains more information than is usually included in a cycle-advice thread, but I am taking this seriously and want anyone reviewing the plan to have as much relevant information as possible.

Rather than leaving out important details and having people make assumptions, I have included my background, goals, complete proposed protocol, supplement stack, baseline bloodwork, monitoring plan and primary concerns.

I appreciate anyone who takes the time to review it. You do not need to respond to every section or answer every question individually. General feedback, concerns and recommendations regarding the overall plan are equally welcome.

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REASON FOR POST

I recently started working with a coach who is guiding me through my first anabolic cycle. He appears knowledgeable and has taken a structured approach, but before fully committing, I wanted additional feedback from experienced members here.

Before recommending the protocol, he asked me to complete comprehensive baseline bloodwork. I had that testing completed, and the results are included below.

He also asked about my overall goal. I explained that I want to become leaner and drier while maintaining or building an athletic-looking physique, rather than simply gaining as much size as possible.

Based on my goals, current condition and bloodwork, he provided the cycle and supplement plan listed below.

I am posting the complete protocol, supplement stack, baseline bloodwork and proposed follow-up testing to get opinions on the overall structure, safety considerations and anything that may need to be reconsidered before I begin.

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BACKGROUND / CURRENT STATS

Age: 34
Height: 5'10"
Current weight: approximately 160 lbs
Estimated body fat: approximately 16-17%
Previous highest weight: approximately 280 lbs

Goal:
Fat loss and body recomposition while maintaining or gaining muscle and developing a lean, dry and athletic-looking physique.

Experience:
This would be my first anabolic-steroid cycle.

Planned cycle length:
20–24 weeks

TRAINING / CARDIO

• Weight training 3 times per week
• 2 upper-body days
• 1 lower-body day
• Biking on non-lifting days
• Bike routes generally involve substantial elevation gain

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PROPOSED 20–24-WEEK PROTOCOL

The plan is for every compound listed below to be used throughout the full 20–24 weeks.

TESTOSTERONE ENANTHATE

• Total: 300 mg per week
• Concentration: 250 mg/mL
• Monday: 100 mg / 0.4 mL
• Wednesday: 100 mg / 0.4 mL
• Friday: 100 mg / 0.4 mL

MASTERON ENANTHATE

• Total: 300 mg per week
• Concentration: 200 mg/mL
• Monday: 100 mg / 0.5 mL
• Wednesday: 100 mg / 0.5 mL
• Friday: 100 mg / 0.5 mL

ANAVAR / OXANDROLONE

• 20 mg before each workout
• Training days only
• Approximately 3 times per week

HCG

• Monday: 625 IU
• Friday: 625 IU
• Total: 1,250 IU per week

RETATRUTIDE

• 5.5 mg once per week
• Already used for approximately 7 months
• Gradually titrated to the current dosage

MOTS-C

• 1 mg per day
• Monday through Friday
• Total: 5 mg per week

CLENBUTEROL

• 20 mcg every morning

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POST-CYCLE PLAN

My coach has stated that he already has a post-cycle plan prepared, but he has not yet provided me with the specific details.

I plan to follow up with him again before beginning so I understand the complete post-cycle approach, including the medications, dosages, timing and whether the plan involves a traditional PCT or another strategy.

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SUPPLEMENT / SUPPORT SCHEDULE

Note:
The purposes listed below describe why these supplements were included. I understand that they do not guarantee protection from cycle-related side effects.

CURCUMIN

• Product: NOW CurcuBrain Longvida
• Dose: 400 mg every morning
• Purpose: General inflammation and cardiovascular support

VITAMIN D3

• Product: Nature Made Vitamin D3
• Dose: 4,000 IU every morning
• Two 2,000-IU softgels
• Purpose: Correcting my insufficient baseline vitamin D level of 25 ng/mL

VITAMIN K2 MK-7

• Product: Nature Made Vitamin K2
• Dose: 100 mcg every morning
• Purpose: Added alongside vitamin D3 for bone and calcium-metabolism support

POTASSIUM CITRATE

• Product: NOW Potassium Citrate
• Dose: Three 99-mg capsules with each meal
• Approximately 297 mg per meal
• Approximately 891 mg daily if eating 3 meals
• Purpose: Electrolyte support, particularly with clenbuterol, sweating and possible retatrutide-related dehydration

CREATINE MONOHYDRATE

• Product: Thorne Creatine
• Dose: 10 grams daily
• Two 5-gram scoops
• Purpose: Strength, workout performance, recovery and lean-mass support

DANDELION ROOT

• Product: NOW Dandelion Root
• Morning: 500 mg
• Evening: 500 mg
• Total: 1,000 mg daily
• Purpose: Intended to reduce temporary water retention and support a drier appearance

BERBERINE

• Product: Thorne Berberine Dual Action
• Morning: 1 capsule
• Evening: 1 capsule
• Total: 2 capsules daily
• Full daily serving contains 450 mg berberine HCl plus 550 mg berberine phytosome
• Purpose: Blood-sugar, insulin-sensitivity and metabolic support

MILK THISTLE

• Product: Thorne Milk Thistle Phytosome
• Morning: 180 mg
• Evening: 180 mg
• Total: 360 mg daily
• Purpose: Liver support while using oral Anavar

NAC

• Product: NOW NAC
• Morning: 600 mg
• Evening: 600 mg
• Total: 1,200 mg daily
• Purpose: Antioxidant and liver support while using Anavar

ASTRAGALUS EXTRACT

• Product: NOW Astragalus Extract
• Morning: 1,000 mg
• Evening: 1,000 mg
• Total: 2,000 mg daily
• Purpose: Intended kidney and cardiovascular support, although evidence for cycle protection is limited

RED YEAST RICE

• Product: Thorne Red Yeast Rice
• Dose: 900 mg daily
• Monacolin K content is not disclosed on the label
• Purpose: Intended LDL-cholesterol support because my LDL and ApoB are already elevated and may worsen on cycle

COQ10 / UBIQUINOL

• Product: Qunol Mega Ubiquinol
• Morning: 100 mg
• Evening: 100 mg
• Total: 200 mg daily
• Purpose: Cardiovascular and muscle support, particularly alongside red yeast rice

CITRUS BERGAMOT

• Product: Double Wood Citrus Bergamot
• Morning: 500 mg
• Evening: 500 mg
• Total: 1,000 mg daily
• Purpose: Additional LDL, non-HDL and ApoB support during an androgenic cycle

MAGNESIUM BISGLYCINATE

• Product: Thorne Magnesium Bisglycinate
• Dose: 200 mg elemental magnesium every evening
• One scoop
• Purpose: Electrolyte, muscle, sleep and heart-rhythm support, particularly while using clenbuterol

OMEGA-3

• Product: Sports Research Triple Strength Omega-3
• Morning: 2 softgels
• Evening: 2 softgels
• Total: 4 softgels daily
• Approximately 4,160 mg actual omega-3 daily
• Approximately 5,000 mg total fish oil daily
• Purpose: Triglyceride, inflammation and general cardiovascular support

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RETATRUTIDE BACKGROUND

Retatrutide is not being introduced as a new compound at the beginning of this cycle.

I have already been using retatrutide for approximately 7 months. I began using it at approximately 280 lbs and gradually titrated the dosage upward on a monthly basis.

My current weight is approximately 160 lbs, and my current retatrutide dosage is 5.5 mg per week. I plan to continue that dosage throughout the proposed 20–24-week cycle.

The bloodwork listed below was completed before starting any anabolic steroids. However, I may of have retatrutide in my blood while the bloodwork was taken, but i did stop taking it for a week before the bloodwork was taken.

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MOST RECENT FASTING BLOODWORK

Collection date:
July 9, 2026

Important context:
These results were obtained before starting any anabolic steroids, but while I was already using retatrutide.

LIPIDS / CARDIOVASCULAR

• Total cholesterol: 175 mg/dL
• LDL cholesterol: 121 mg/dL — high
• HDL cholesterol: 38 mg/dL — low
• Triglycerides: 72 mg/dL — good
• Non-HDL cholesterol: 137 mg/dL — slightly high
• ApoB: 102 mg/dL — high
• Lipoprotein(a): 76 nmol/L — slightly above the laboratory’s optimal range
• Cholesterol/HDL ratio: 4.6
• hs-CRP: 2.3 mg/L

Summary:
My primary baseline concern is that LDL, ApoB and non-HDL cholesterol are already elevated, while HDL is already low. Triglycerides are currently good.

LIVER FUNCTION

• AST: 18 U/L
• ALT: 21 U/L
• Alkaline phosphatase: 63 U/L
• Total bilirubin: 0.6 mg/dL
• Albumin: 4.9 g/dL
• Total protein: 7.5 g/dL

Summary:
Baseline liver enzymes and liver-function markers were normal.

KIDNEY FUNCTION / ELECTROLYTES

• Creatinine: 0.98 mg/dL
• eGFR: 104 mL/min/1.73m²
• BUN: 20 mg/dL
• Urine albumin/creatinine ratio: 2 mg/g
• Sodium: 137 mmol/L
• Potassium: 4.3 mmol/L
• Calcium: 10.0 mg/dL
• RBC magnesium: 5.4 mg/dL

Summary:
Kidney function, urine albumin and measured electrolytes were normal.

CBC / BLOOD COUNT

• Red blood cells: 5.17 million/uL
• Hemoglobin: 15.3 g/dL
• Hematocrit: 46.8%
• Platelets: 240,000/uL
• White blood cells: 5.5 thousand/uL

Summary:
No baseline erythrocytosis, anemia, platelet abnormality or major white-blood-cell abnormality.

GLUCOSE / METABOLIC HEALTH

• Fasting glucose: 88 mg/dL
• Hemoglobin A1c: 5.4%
• Fasting insulin: 11.8 uIU/mL

Summary:
No evidence of diabetes or prediabetes.

THYROID

• TSH: 0.74 mIU/L
• Free T4: 1.2 ng/dL

Summary:
Measured thyroid markers were within range.

BASELINE HORMONES

• Total testosterone: 360 ng/dL
• Free testosterone: 41.6 pg/mL
• Ultrasensitive estradiol: 18 pg/mL
• SHBG: 35 nmol/L
• LH: 2.5 mIU/mL
• FSH: 2.2 mIU/mL
• Prolactin: 3.3 ng/mL
• PSA: 0.46 ng/mL

Summary:
Total and free testosterone were within the laboratory range but toward the lower end. Estradiol, SHBG, prolactin and PSA were within range.

VITAMINS / NUTRITION

• Vitamin D: 25 ng/mL — insufficient
• Vitamin B12: 265 pg/mL — low-normal
• Folate: 3.6 ng/mL — borderline low
• Ferritin: 189 ng/mL
• Iron saturation: 33%

Summary:
Vitamin D was insufficient, folate was borderline low and B12 was low-normal. Iron markers were normal.

OVERALL BASELINE SUMMARY

• Liver function: normal
• Kidney function: normal
• Electrolytes: normal
• CBC and hematocrit: normal
• Blood glucose and A1c: normal
• Triglycerides: good
• Primary concern: elevated LDL, ApoB and non-HDL combined with low HDL
• Nutritional concerns: insufficient vitamin D, borderline-low folate and low-normal B12

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MONITORING PLAN

• Check blood pressure at least once per week
• Check fasting blood sugar at least once per week under similar conditions
• Update my coach weekly with blood pressure, blood sugar, side effects and overall progress
• Repeat comprehensive bloodwork after the first month of the cycle

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PLANNED REPEAT BLOODWORK AFTER MONTH ONE

COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT

• CBC with differential and platelets
• Red blood cell count
• Hemoglobin
• Hematocrit
• White blood cell count
• Platelet count

COMPREHENSIVE METABOLIC PANEL / KIDNEY / ELECTROLYTES

• Fasting glucose
• BUN
• Creatinine
• eGFR
• Sodium
• Potassium
• Chloride
• Carbon dioxide
• Calcium
• Total protein
• Albumin
• Globulin
• Albumin/globulin ratio

LIVER AND MUSCLE MARKERS

• AST
• ALT
• Alkaline phosphatase
• Total bilirubin
• Direct bilirubin
• GGT
• CK

LIPIDS / CARDIOVASCULAR

• Total cholesterol
• LDL cholesterol
• HDL cholesterol
• Triglycerides
• Non-HDL cholesterol
• Cholesterol/HDL ratio
• Apolipoprotein B
• Lipoprotein(a)
• hs-CRP

GLUCOSE / METABOLIC HEALTH

• Hemoglobin A1c
• Fasting insulin

THYROID

• TSH
• Free T4

HORMONES

• Total testosterone by LC/MS
• Free testosterone
• Ultrasensitive estradiol by LC/MS/MS
• SHBG
• Prolactin
• LH
• FSH

PROSTATE

• PSA

IRON STUDIES

• Iron
• TIBC
• Iron saturation
• Ferritin

VITAMINS / NUTRITION

• Vitamin D
• Vitamin B12
• Folate
• RBC magnesium

URINE / KIDNEY SCREENING

• Complete urinalysis
• Random urine albumin
• Random urine creatinine
• Urine albumin/creatinine ratio

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MAIN CONCERNS / QUESTIONS

1. LIPIDS AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK

My LDL is already 121, ApoB is 102, non-HDL cholesterol is 137 and HDL is only 38 before starting any anabolic steroids.

Testosterone, Masteron and especially Anavar may worsen these markers.

Planned lipid support:

• Red yeast rice
• Citrus bergamot
• Berberine
• Omega-3
• CoQ10
• Curcumin

I understand that omega-3 is generally more effective for triglycerides than for LDL or HDL, and my triglycerides are already 72. I also understand that the monacolin K content of the red yeast rice is not disclosed.

Question:
Considering my baseline results and planned support supplements, how concerning is the potential for further LDL/ApoB elevation and HDL suppression?

2. CLENBUTEROL + RETATRUTIDE / CARDIOVASCULAR STRESS

Retatrutide is intended to provide most of the appetite control and sustained fat loss.

Clenbuterol would be taken at 20 mcg every morning throughout the full 20–24 weeks. It may provide additional stimulant-related fat-loss effects, but it may also increase heart rate, blood pressure, arrhythmia risk and electrolyte stress.

Retatrutide may also increase heart rate and can cause reduced food intake, vomiting, diarrhea or dehydration.

Planned support:

• Magnesium
• Potassium
• CoQ10
• Omega-3

I understand that these supplements do not prevent tachycardia, arrhythmias or high blood pressure.

Question:
Does clenbuterol provide enough additional benefit alongside retatrutide to justify using it every day for the entire 20–24 weeks?

3. ANAVAR + RED YEAST RICE / LIVER AND MUSCLE STRESS

My baseline liver markers are normal.

Anavar would be taken at 20 mg before approximately 3 weekly workouts throughout the full 20–24 weeks.

Anavar may worsen lipids and place stress on the liver. Red yeast rice may act similarly to a low-dose statin when it contains a meaningful amount of monacolin K, potentially adding liver-enzyme or muscle-related risk.

Planned support:

• NAC: 1,200 mg daily
• Milk thistle phytosome: 360 mg daily
• Curcumin: 400 mg daily
• CoQ10: 200 mg daily

I understand that these products do not guarantee protection.

Question:
Is combining Anavar with red yeast rice reasonable, or does red yeast rice create unnecessary liver and muscle overlap while attempting to manage Anavar-related lipid changes?

4. HEMATOCRIT AND BLOOD PRESSURE

My baseline hematocrit is 46.8%, hemoglobin is 15.3 and RBC count is 5.17, so I am not starting with erythrocytosis.

Testosterone and Masteron may still increase red-blood-cell production and blood pressure over a 20–24-week cycle.

Planned cardiovascular support:

• Omega-3
• Magnesium
• CoQ10
• Curcumin

I understand that none of these directly prevents androgen-related erythrocytosis.

Question:
Is repeating the CBC after the first month early enough to identify a meaningful rise in hematocrit, and what increase would be considered concerning?

5. FULL 20–24-WEEK DURATION AND OVERALL COMPLEXITY

The current plan is for testosterone, Masteron, Anavar, HCG, retatrutide, MOTS-c and clenbuterol to all be used throughout the full 20–24 weeks.

Anavar would be taken before approximately 3 weekly workouts. Clenbuterol would be taken every morning. HCG would be taken twice weekly, MOTS-c Monday through Friday and retatrutide once weekly.

Retatrutide is not new for me. I have already used it for approximately 7 months while reducing my weight from around 280 lbs to approximately 160 lbs, and I gradually titrated to my current dosage of 5.5 mg per week.

Question:
Is running all of these compounds throughout the entire 20–24 weeks appropriate for a first anabolic cycle, or are Anavar, clenbuterol, MOTS-c or any other components better limited or removed because of cumulative lipid, liver, cardiovascular or other health concerns?

6. POST-CYCLE PLAN

My coach has told me that he has a post-cycle plan prepared, but I have not yet received the specific protocol.

I plan to follow up with him before starting so I understand exactly what is intended after the 20–24-week cycle.

Question:
What information should I make sure is included in the post-cycle plan, and should the complete plan be established before beginning the cycle?

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TL;DR

You do not need to answer each specific question above individually. They are mainly included to show the areas I am most concerned about.

General feedback on the proposed cycle, dosages, duration, supplement stack, baseline bloodwork, training structure, monitoring plan and post-cycle planning would be greatly appreciated.

I am especially interested in whether the overall plan appears reasonable for a first anabolic cycle, whether anything seems unnecessary or overly complicated, and whether any changes should be made before I commit to it.

Any honest advice, concerns or suggestions are welcome.

Thanks ahead of time for spending your time on this post!