+ 5 First Cycle - 35 years old
Stats:
35 year old
5’11
180lbs
12% BF
Currently on TRT of 80mg Test Cyp every week. 1.5 IU’s Pharma Grade HGH that I started 2 months ago.
Background:
12+ years lifting. Last two years have been bodybuilding focused. These last two years I’ve worked with a great coach and really locked in my plan and diet. We’ve already done one lean bulk, and one real cut. I got to 7%BF on that cut.
Blood Work (posting most relevant):
My baseline pre-trt test was 468ng/dl. That was 1 1/2 years ago.
Most recent blood work 1 month ago:
Test Total: 1270ng/dl
SHBG: 41 nmol/L
IGF-1 178ng/dl
Estradiol (E2): 58.0 pg/ml
Ferritin: 233.0 ng/ml
Cycle - 16- Weeks
Test Cyp to 500mg per week split either EOD or ED IM.
HGH 2-3IU’s ED (Sat/Sun off)
HCG 250 IUs 2xweek at the 18 week mark. - Dropping
My plan is to start out at 200mg first week, then adjust to 300mg for the first 4 weeks. I’ll do another blood work panel here to assess metrics. If all things are good, I’ll launch into 400mg then 500mg and test again there.
Total weeks: 20 (1-4 200mg-300mg) (16 weeks 400mg-500mg).
A-Dex (.25mg/1mg) on hand in case my Estridol gets too high.
PCT Plan (Taken ED)
Nolva - 40/40/20/20
Clomid: 100/100/50/50 -Dropping.
Questions:
I assume I’ll need a PCT to come down to my normal, 80mg TRT cycle. I’ll have A-Dex on hand for sides. Will I need anything on-cycle as preventative maintenance?
You know, looking at the cycle length 20 weeks seems long. I have a feeling it’s better to cut the loading up to 500mg/week. So 16 weeks for the entire cycle.
This is a cycle I really researched for, but as it’s my first, please rip it to shreds.
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Sounds like a well thought out cycle. As long as you stay healthy and are consistent I think you will get great results.
That’s a very solid first cycle, brother man… Well thought out and actually conservative, which is exactly how it should be. Big difference between a mature 35yo with 12+ years under the bar vs a 20yo jumping straight into Tren. Props to you for that !
Quick points from my side:
You don’t need a PCT. You’re already on TRT, so there’s nothing to “restart.” Just cruise back down to your 80mg … way smoother and honestly healthier than blasting + PCT rollercoaster.
I like your ramp-up approach. Smart way to monitor bloods and not overshoot. Just keep in mind Test Cyp half-life is 7–8 days, and it takes about 4–5 weeks to fully stabilize. So every dose change takes time to truly reflect in bloodwork … don’t rush adjustments based on short-term readings.
Personally, I prefer exactly what you’re thinking: start lower and build up, instead of jumping straight into 500mg. Much easier to control E2, hematocrit, BP, etc.
Like I said I don’t think you need post cycle therapy… so Instead of doing it , just taper down toward cruise over a few weeks at the end … smoother transition, less hormonal shock.
On-cycle support: you’re already doing a lot right. Just keep an eye on E2 (don’t crash it), hematocrit, lipids, and BP. Adex only if needed … don’t preemptively nuke estrogen.
Only thing I’d say: 20 weeks is on the longer side for a first run. You’ll get 90% of the gains in 12–16 weeks anyway, with less systemic stress. But if bloods stay clean and you feel good, it’s not crazy …just something to be aware of.
Overall … this is how a first cycle should look. Controlled, data-driven, and patient.
That’s just my opinion, but hope it helps a bit.
Thank you, good sir!
I’ll be doing a 300mg start for the first 3-4 weeks. Then getting bloodwork and going from there. I’ll be posting my cycle in the cycle log area. Going to start in about 3 weeks.
Looks solid, brother … can’t go wrong with that. Keep us posted… you’re gonna crush it
Thank you for posting a responsible first cycle. This is solid.
Thank you! I really tried to do my homework.
My first cycle was sust 250 and 100mg deca ew also 15 dbol. Loved it strength blew up and so did my body and I felt amazing a lot of people don’t realize how powerful aas are. Learn all u can and be safe all the best.
DocMcGainsTextbook. Bases covered and well conceived. Well done!
Skip the PCT and just lower the test dose gradually back down to your TRT cruise in a way that mirrors your titration up at the start of the cycle. I took about 8 weeks to get from my TRT base of 100mg/wk to 525mg. It takes about 10-12 days for you to reach blood saturation after increasing your dose, longer if you are pinning EOD or ED, so that allowed me to gauge physiological and psychological response (no acne, no gyno, good mood, killer libido, solid gains - full speed ahead) and stop at a place where I felt like I was getting the most out of my dose. Before my current cycle I had pushed to 300 and 400mg/week for 16 weeks at a time so I knew basically how I would respond at those doses.
Keep on your bloods and monitor your BP and you should be good to go. Happy gains!
Will do! Thank you for the response!
I really like your cycle design. You do not need to pct if you plan on just cruising after at 80mg a week.
Seems well thought out. Good luck and happy gains man.
Thanks for the comment! Really excited about my first cycle.
Looks like a solid plan
Swap clomid for hcg. Run it as long as you can with good/healthy blood work. Don’t skimp on bloodwork! Period! That tells you far more than the mirror and the mindset. 12 weeks is the suggested first blast but you could end up shorter or longer depending on blood work. You’re already starting in a good spot with low body fat and years of training. Keeps us updated with progress and labs! Always love living vicariously through others first blast! Which I could go back to the first round bro.
Thanks, dude! Yea, I’ll be getting labs after the first couple of weeks at 300mg. Then bumping up to 500mg. More labs. The taking another look at the cycle.
Its almost scary how similar our first cycles are. I'm 35 187, starting my first blast in 2 weeks.
Weeks 1-4: Test 300mg/wk | HGH 3 IU/day
Weeks 5-11: Test 400mg/wk | HGH 4 IU/day
Weeks 12-16: Test 500mg/wk | HGH 5 IU/day | Anavar 25mg/day
Weeks 17-20: Test 500mg/wk | HGH 5 IU/day | Anavar 50mg/day
Wild card will be the length and HGH. I've never ramped that high so we'll see how I tolerate it (its prolly fine). Someone else makes a really good point...if at the end of 20 weeks my tests come back with minimal stress, might keep pumping.
Damn bro that’s gonna be a wild first cycle, if everything goes through smoothly for you, and diet in check, you’re gonna blow the fuck up! Definitely looking forward to hearing how it turns out for you. You gonna do a before and after photo?
Will DM you a half bricked nude now!
Only half bricked?
its not like you'd even be able to tell the difference
Not a grower, just a big time shower
I’m pretty sure you don’t need pct after a blast, cause you will then just go back to your cruise dose of 80mg of trt each week, that already has you over 1200 ng/dl. You ain’t going to need the clomid at all and the nolva is only needed if your tits start to grow. The adex keep on hand with you, cause if your are already at that high of a test level at 80mg, and you wanna go to 500mg a week. Then there is a good chance your probably going to experience some kinds of e2 sides from your aromatization of the test.
Appreciate the reply!
I was reading more from people like @Aggieguy mentioning that if the intent is to just go back to baseline TRT, the a PCT isn’t really required.
Would you suggest ‘leaning’ off the test at the end? I’ll drop the clomid.
I’m not married to 500mg. I really want to hit 200-300 and get the bloodwork to measure the metrics. No reason to add more drugs if it’s already doing the work.
PCT is only if you are going to stop testosterone all together and go back to natural. In your case you are blasting, then going back to 80mg a week for TRT a PCT is not needed.
Keep an eye on your E2 so it is a very good idea to have an Ai and a Serm on hand. If the nipples get sore or puffy take a Serm if you get other sides like water retention and all take an Ai. Everyone's body is different it all depends on how much you aromatase. When you are blasting on 500mg a week you probably will need an Ai once in a great while.
Now let's talk about the Clomid. If you want your balls to be normal and still functioning then taking Clomid is ok but HCG works better. I would start at 250 iu of HCG 3 x a week or try like me 300iu 2x a week of HCG. If it works stay there, you can always adjust your dose. If you take HCG stop Clomid.
Than you @Aggieguy! I really tried to do my homework here.
hCG aside, does the cycle plan look good? Or are there any holes I need to fill?
It looks good, if you have been running test just go ahead and start blasting at 300mg and see how you feel and go from there. If sides develop cut it back some if all is good up to 500 and see how it goes.
Muchos gracias.
I’ll move this to the Cycle Log and start posting my results.
As long as your blood markers are looking good, you feel good, and you ain’t having any crazy side effects from the test. Then I don’t see the point in tapering the test down, try to grind out ass much gains as you can in your first blast cycle. A question I have as well is, have you already been taking hcg this whole time, or was you planning on using it for pct only? If you haven’t already been taking hcg while on trt already, I also don’t see the point in adding that in.
The point of adding HCG in during cycle is to get your balls back to functioning and normal size. If you want them tiny like a pea then yeah dont take HCG during blast or cycle or TRT.
I haven’t been taking any hCG at all. I added it as a preventative measure for the visual effects of the twig and berries.
But I also understand it’s more compounds, and less is more for the first cycle.
If you want your balls to stay somewhat alive you can take it, but hcg is stimulating your testicals to produce natural testosterone, this will also be converted to estradiol as well.
Sounds good. Everything else look clean? Plan look fine?
...and this is why you always keep an Ai on hand. I blast and hardly have to use one just once in a great while and the more lean you become the less it will be needed.
Yeah plan seems legit, you defiantly know how to train considering you been in this life for 12 years. I’m sure the same goes with diet. Listen to @Aggieguy go to 300mg see how that settles with you, and how much you aromatize to, then get a general idea on your ai usage and dosing.