+ 2 Bloodwork Insight
Looking for some input on how to approach the next adjustment in my current cycle.
Background / recent history:
-Ran Test C + Primo (1:1) for ~10 weeks
-Ended around 140 mg/week Test C + 140 mg/week Primo (ED injections)
-Switched on 4/17/2026 to: Test Prop: 120 mg/week; Mast Prop: 120 mg/week
Still running 1:1 ratio, ED injections
I’m aware I’m still early in the transition and that levels likely aren’t fully stable yet given the ester change.
Recent labs (4/20/2026):
Total Test: 1197 ng/dL
Free Test: 311 pg/mL
Estradiol (sensitive): 72 pg/mL (ref <29)
DHT: 61 ng/dL (upper end of range)
HDL: 44
LDL: 82
ApoB: 71
Hematocrit: 49%
Ferritin: 32 (low)
For additional context:
My E2 has been trending up during the cycle (baseline ~16 → ~47 → peak ~85 previously)
Lipids took a hit during Anavar but have mostly recovered
BP, glucose, liver markers all look good overall
Current situation / thought process: Main variable I’m trying to manage right now is estradiol being on the higher side (72 pg/mL).
I see a few potential levers:
Lower Test dose → reduce aromatization directly
Increase Mast dose → leverage its anti-estrogenic / androgenic effect
Do nothing yet → wait for prop esters to fully stabilize before making changes
My concerns: I’m intentionally running this conservatively (1:1, relatively low dose) to learn how I respond.
If I increase Mast, I’m aware:
DHT is already near the top of range (61 ng/dL)
Could push into higher androgenic side effects territory
If I lower Test, I’m potentially:
Reducing the main anabolic driver
But possibly bringing E2 into a more manageable range
What I’m trying to figure out: If you were in this position—mid-transition from Test C/Primo → Test P/Mast P, E2 elevated, DHT already high-normal
What would be the most appropriate “first lever” to pull?
Hold steady and reassess after stabilization?
Slight Test reduction?
Slight Mast increase?
Or adjust ratio entirely (e.g., 1:1 → Mast dominant)?
Goal: Dial things in methodically (“low and slow”), understand response to each compound, and avoid overcorrecting too early.
I appreciate any experienced input.
- Bookmark
- 2
- 0
Honestly wouldn’t leave my e2 that high. Eventually you will get e2 sides. Mast won’t lower the e2, it may stop gyno from forming but the other high e2 monsters will show up (oily skin,and eventually libido).
Are you totally against taking an AI once or twice a week? Seems like this could be a good opportunity for you to learn how you respond to these as well if you plan to blast harder in the future. You are aromatizing pretty heavily for relatively lower test doses
The shedding is 100% the mast that may get worse just a heads up.
You bring up a good point about experimenting with an AI. I do have Arimidex on hand, just haven’t cracked it open yet. Part of my approach so far has been trying to see how far I can go without introducing an AI, just to understand my baseline response first.
I agree it probably makes sense at some point to at least experiment with a low dose and see how I respond, especially if I ever plan to push things further down the line.
As far as how I feel right now, I actually feel really good on the Mast. No E2-related sides that I can notice. That’s why I’ve been hesitant to start adjusting too aggressively.
The only downside so far has been the hair shedding, which is definitely a bit of a bummer if that’s the tradeoff here. Still trying to figure out where that balance is between performance/feel and long-term tradeoffs.
Curious how you personally approach introducing an AI. More reactive based on sides or proactive based on numbers?
Honestly my e2 got to 105 I didn’t even notice bc of the Mast I was running until it was too late. The oily skin and acne took over and my back was a pizza map.
I ended up managing with 12.5mg of Aromasin on Monday and Friday and that took me from 105 down to 32ish.
As I increased my test over my cycle I was able to start feeling when e2 was going up I also checked blood work every 4 weeks and adjusted Aro based off numbers and feel. My libido would immediately come back same day of taking the Aro.
I’d consider this more of TRT+ than a cycle, but it’s definitely smart to learn how your body reacts to the different compounds.
What are your goals? Bulk, cut, recomp?
Are you having any side effects you’d consider could be from high e2 or DHT? Low libido/enlarged prostate/hair loss? If not, I wouldn’t worry about being “in range”. E2 is a bit high but everyone reacts/feels differently.
Appreciate the response. That’s how I’m looking at it too, more of a TRT+ experiment than a true cycle.
Goal right now is a lean bulk, nothing aggressive. Just trying to grow steadily while really dialing in how I respond to each compound.
As far as sides, I’m actually not experiencing anything I’d associate with high E2. No low libido, no nipple sensitivity, no mood swings. The only thing I’ve noticed is some hair shedding, which I’m assuming is more tied to the higher DHT.
That’s kind of why I’m hesitant to overcorrect anything. I’m trying to take a slow and steady approach, learn my response, and make adjustments gradually instead of chasing numbers.
At the same time, I’m trying to keep bloodwork as in-range as realistically possible. I know it’s not going to be perfect running these compounds, but just trying to manage things intelligently rather than letting markers drift too far.
I'm just curious how others would approach it from that angle.
If it was my body I’d personally not worry about the e2 yet if you’re not experiencing any negative side effects as you say. BUT you’re kinda teetering the edge of where side effects usually start, which I’m sure you know and is why you bring it up.
I’d get bloods again in a few weeks as a new data point with the Test C out of your system and only the Prop working. See what your e2 is at that point. Then moving forward you’ll know you’re pretty much at your test max before needing an AI (or compound that’ll directly lower e2).
I’d love to say up the Mast to help with your recomp, but if you’re shedding some hair already there’s a good chance it could get worse. How much do you value that hairline? Lol
Yeah we need more info kind of like what Oscar said, knowing what your goals are is pretty important to try and give any advice. I see that e2 is the biggest worry for you, but at 72 pg/ml then I wouldn't worry to much about it unless you are having high e2 sides. Are you moody, or do you have ED? I seen you also said Mast is like an AI, but it acts more as a SERM. Mast works on masking e2 sides at the receptor site, in this case your tits, its very good at being anti gyno. Other then that from how I see it, is you could always up your Primo dose to a 1:2 ratio or a 1:1.5 instead of doing 1:1. You could always leverage Eq as well, I didn't see you mention that. Eq is very good at being a AI, now that's not true for everyone, but it is for most. Not only that, but its so damn cheap in comparison, running Primo for AI effects is crazy, unless you are rich. With Eq most guys who run it to lower e2 typically start at a 2:1 ratio, its pretty effective. Maybe this way in the future you could increase your Test dosage, if that's what you would want?
Thanks man. that makes sense. For context, my goal right now is a lean bulk, and I’m approaching this more as a TRT+ experiment than a full-blown cycle. Just trying to learn how I respond to each compound and dial things in over time.
As far as sides go, I’m not experiencing any classic high E2 issues. No ED, no mood swings, no nipple sensitivity. The only thing I’ve noticed is a bit of hair shedding, which I’m assuming is more tied to DHT being on the higher side.
I get what you’re saying about Mast too. I’ve heard similar, more of a SERM-like effect at the receptor rather than actually lowering serum E2.
EQ is definitely on my radar, but I was planning to run the course with Mast first and really understand how I respond to it, then potentially give EQ a shot after. My only hesitation with EQ is hematocrit. I’ve already had some elevation there in the past, so I want to be careful before introducing something that could push that further.
At the end of the day, I think where I’m at is just trying to figure out what ratios actually work best for me with each compound. I know this takes time and some trial and error, but that’s kind of the whole point of running things conservatively like this.