https://roidboard.to/ Mon, 19 Oct 2026 11:34:43 +0000 MyBB https://roidboard.to/thread-27.html Thu, 15 Oct 2026 13:32:00 +0000 admin]]> https://roidboard.to/thread-27.html Bloodwork for Lifters
Bloodwork is not optional. It is the only way to know what is actually happening inside your body. Running AAS without monitoring your blood markers is flying blind.

When to test

• Pre-cycle: Your baseline. Everything else is measured against this.
  
• Mid-cycle (week 6 to 8): Check that your levels are where you expect and catch problems early.
  
• Post-PCT (4 to 6 weeks after finishing PCT): Confirm your natural production has recovered.
  

What to test

Hormones

• Total testosterone
  
• Free testosterone
  
• Estradiol (use the sensitive/LC-MS assay, not the standard immunoassay)
  
• LH and FSH (pre-cycle and post-PCT, not mid-cycle since they will be suppressed)
  
• SHBG
  
• Prolactin (especially if running 19-nors like Deca or Tren)
  

Liver

• ALT and AST (elevated values suggest liver stress, especially relevant with oral AAS)
  
• GGT
  
• Bilirubin
  

Cardiovascular

• HDL and LDL cholesterol (AAS typically tank HDL and raise LDL)
  
• Triglycerides
  
• Hematocrit and hemoglobin (elevated hematocrit increases blood viscosity and stroke risk)
  

Other

• Complete blood count (CBC)
  
• Kidney function (creatinine, BUN, eGFR)
  
• Fasting glucose and HbA1c (especially if running growth hormone or insulin)
  
• PSA (prostate specific antigen, baseline and periodic)
  

Reading trends, not snapshots
A single blood test is a point in time. What matters is the trend across multiple tests. Your HDL dropping from 55 to 28 over 8 weeks tells a story. A single reading of 38 without context tells you much less.

Compare every result to your own baseline, not to the lab's reference range. Lab ranges describe the general population. Your pre-cycle values are what is normal for you.

If something looks significantly off, see a doctor. Bloodwork is a monitoring tool, not a substitute for medical advice.]]> Bloodwork for Lifters
Bloodwork is not optional. It is the only way to know what is actually happening inside your body. Running AAS without monitoring your blood markers is flying blind.

When to test

• Pre-cycle: Your baseline. Everything else is measured against this.
  
• Mid-cycle (week 6 to 8): Check that your levels are where you expect and catch problems early.
  
• Post-PCT (4 to 6 weeks after finishing PCT): Confirm your natural production has recovered.
  

What to test

Hormones

• Total testosterone
  
• Free testosterone
  
• Estradiol (use the sensitive/LC-MS assay, not the standard immunoassay)
  
• LH and FSH (pre-cycle and post-PCT, not mid-cycle since they will be suppressed)
  
• SHBG
  
• Prolactin (especially if running 19-nors like Deca or Tren)
  

Liver

• ALT and AST (elevated values suggest liver stress, especially relevant with oral AAS)
  
• GGT
  
• Bilirubin
  

Cardiovascular

• HDL and LDL cholesterol (AAS typically tank HDL and raise LDL)
  
• Triglycerides
  
• Hematocrit and hemoglobin (elevated hematocrit increases blood viscosity and stroke risk)
  

Other

• Complete blood count (CBC)
  
• Kidney function (creatinine, BUN, eGFR)
  
• Fasting glucose and HbA1c (especially if running growth hormone or insulin)
  
• PSA (prostate specific antigen, baseline and periodic)
  

Reading trends, not snapshots
A single blood test is a point in time. What matters is the trend across multiple tests. Your HDL dropping from 55 to 28 over 8 weeks tells a story. A single reading of 38 without context tells you much less.

Compare every result to your own baseline, not to the lab's reference range. Lab ranges describe the general population. Your pre-cycle values are what is normal for you.

If something looks significantly off, see a doctor. Bloodwork is a monitoring tool, not a substitute for medical advice.]]> https://roidboard.to/thread-26.html Thu, 15 Oct 2026 13:31:58 +0000 admin]]> https://roidboard.to/thread-26.html PCT Basics
Post-cycle therapy is how you help your body restart its own testosterone production after a cycle. Skipping it is not an option unless you are on TRT or blasting and cruising.

The common SERMs

• Nolvadex (Tamoxifen): The most widely used PCT drug. Typical protocol: 20mg per day for 4 to 6 weeks. Stimulates LH and FSH release from the pituitary.
  
• Clomid (Clomiphene): An alternative to Nolvadex. Typical protocol: 25 to 50mg per day for 4 to 6 weeks. Some users report more mood-related side effects with Clomid compared to Nolvadex.
  

You do not need to run both. Pick one. Most experienced users lean toward Nolvadex for its milder side effect profile.

Timing
When you start PCT depends on the ester you used:

• Short esters (Propionate, Acetate): start PCT 3 to 5 days after your last injection
  
• Medium esters (Enanthate, Cypionate): start PCT 14 to 18 days after your last injection
  
• Long esters (Undecanoate, Decanoate): start PCT 21 to 28 days after your last injection
  

The idea is to let the exogenous hormone clear your system before you start stimulating natural production. Starting too early means the SERM competes with the remaining exogenous testosterone. Starting too late means you spend extra time in a suppressed state.

What recovery looks like
Energy and mood often dip in the first two weeks of PCT. Libido may drop. Strength in the gym may stall or decrease slightly. This is normal. Your body is recalibrating. It gets better. By week 4 to 6, most users feel close to baseline.

Post-PCT bloodwork
Get bloods 4 to 6 weeks after finishing PCT to confirm recovery. Compare LH, FSH, total testosterone and free testosterone to your pre-cycle baseline. If values are still significantly suppressed, consult a doctor. Read the bloodwork guide for what to test and how to interpret it.]]> PCT Basics
Post-cycle therapy is how you help your body restart its own testosterone production after a cycle. Skipping it is not an option unless you are on TRT or blasting and cruising.

The common SERMs

• Nolvadex (Tamoxifen): The most widely used PCT drug. Typical protocol: 20mg per day for 4 to 6 weeks. Stimulates LH and FSH release from the pituitary.
  
• Clomid (Clomiphene): An alternative to Nolvadex. Typical protocol: 25 to 50mg per day for 4 to 6 weeks. Some users report more mood-related side effects with Clomid compared to Nolvadex.
  

You do not need to run both. Pick one. Most experienced users lean toward Nolvadex for its milder side effect profile.

Timing
When you start PCT depends on the ester you used:

• Short esters (Propionate, Acetate): start PCT 3 to 5 days after your last injection
  
• Medium esters (Enanthate, Cypionate): start PCT 14 to 18 days after your last injection
  
• Long esters (Undecanoate, Decanoate): start PCT 21 to 28 days after your last injection
  

The idea is to let the exogenous hormone clear your system before you start stimulating natural production. Starting too early means the SERM competes with the remaining exogenous testosterone. Starting too late means you spend extra time in a suppressed state.

What recovery looks like
Energy and mood often dip in the first two weeks of PCT. Libido may drop. Strength in the gym may stall or decrease slightly. This is normal. Your body is recalibrating. It gets better. By week 4 to 6, most users feel close to baseline.

Post-PCT bloodwork
Get bloods 4 to 6 weeks after finishing PCT to confirm recovery. Compare LH, FSH, total testosterone and free testosterone to your pre-cycle baseline. If values are still significantly suppressed, consult a doctor. Read the bloodwork guide for what to test and how to interpret it.]]> https://roidboard.to/thread-25.html Thu, 15 Oct 2026 13:31:56 +0000 admin]]> https://roidboard.to/thread-25.html Your First Cycle
If you have never used AAS before, this is the guide to read before you do anything else. A first cycle should be simple, controlled and well-documented.

Testosterone only
Your first cycle should be testosterone and nothing else. No stacking, no orals alongside, no "just a little Deca." The reason is straightforward: if you run one compound, you know exactly what is causing any effect or side effect you experience. If you stack three compounds your first time, you learn nothing about how your body responds to any of them individually.

Dose and duration
Testosterone Enanthate or Cypionate at 300 to 500mg per week for 12 to 16 weeks is the standard recommendation. Pin twice per week to keep blood levels stable. There is no benefit to going higher on a first cycle. Your receptors are fresh. You will grow.

Ancillaries on hand
Have an aromatase inhibitor (Anastrozole or Aromasin) ready before you start. You may not need it, but if estrogen-related sides appear (bloating, sensitive nipples, mood swings), you want to be able to act immediately. Do not run an AI preemptively. Use it only if sides present.

Bloodwork
Get bloodwork done before you start. This gives you a baseline to compare everything against. Test at minimum: total testosterone, free testosterone, estradiol (sensitive assay), LH, FSH, liver enzymes (ALT, AST), lipids (HDL, LDL, triglycerides), CBC with hematocrit. Get mid-cycle bloods around week 6 to 8 to check where your levels are.

PCT
Plan your post-cycle therapy before you take your first pin. Read the PCT guide. Knowing how you will recover is not optional.

Track everything
Consider running a cycle log here on the board. It keeps you accountable, gives you a record to look back on and helps others learn from your experience.

A first cycle done right teaches you more about your body than anything else in this hobby. Take it seriously.]]> Your First Cycle
If you have never used AAS before, this is the guide to read before you do anything else. A first cycle should be simple, controlled and well-documented.

Testosterone only
Your first cycle should be testosterone and nothing else. No stacking, no orals alongside, no "just a little Deca." The reason is straightforward: if you run one compound, you know exactly what is causing any effect or side effect you experience. If you stack three compounds your first time, you learn nothing about how your body responds to any of them individually.

Dose and duration
Testosterone Enanthate or Cypionate at 300 to 500mg per week for 12 to 16 weeks is the standard recommendation. Pin twice per week to keep blood levels stable. There is no benefit to going higher on a first cycle. Your receptors are fresh. You will grow.

Ancillaries on hand
Have an aromatase inhibitor (Anastrozole or Aromasin) ready before you start. You may not need it, but if estrogen-related sides appear (bloating, sensitive nipples, mood swings), you want to be able to act immediately. Do not run an AI preemptively. Use it only if sides present.

Bloodwork
Get bloodwork done before you start. This gives you a baseline to compare everything against. Test at minimum: total testosterone, free testosterone, estradiol (sensitive assay), LH, FSH, liver enzymes (ALT, AST), lipids (HDL, LDL, triglycerides), CBC with hematocrit. Get mid-cycle bloods around week 6 to 8 to check where your levels are.

PCT
Plan your post-cycle therapy before you take your first pin. Read the PCT guide. Knowing how you will recover is not optional.

Track everything
Consider running a cycle log here on the board. It keeps you accountable, gives you a record to look back on and helps others learn from your experience.

A first cycle done right teaches you more about your body than anything else in this hobby. Take it seriously.]]> https://roidboard.to/thread-24.html Thu, 15 Oct 2026 13:31:54 +0000 admin]]> https://roidboard.to/thread-24.html Guides Index
Reference guides written by staff and experienced members. Start here and follow the links.

• Your First Cycle Testosterone only, sensible dose, what to have on hand and why bloodwork comes first.
  
  
• PCT Basics Post-cycle therapy protocols, timing and what recovery actually looks like.
  
  
• Bloodwork for Lifters What to test, when to test it and how to read the results.
  
  
• How to Run a Cycle Log Template and guidance for logging your cycle from start to finish.
  

More guides will be added as the community grows. If you have deep experience with a topic and want to write a guide, reach out to staff.]]> Guides Index
Reference guides written by staff and experienced members. Start here and follow the links.

• Your First Cycle Testosterone only, sensible dose, what to have on hand and why bloodwork comes first.
  
  
• PCT Basics Post-cycle therapy protocols, timing and what recovery actually looks like.
  
  
• Bloodwork for Lifters What to test, when to test it and how to read the results.
  
  
• How to Run a Cycle Log Template and guidance for logging your cycle from start to finish.
  

More guides will be added as the community grows. If you have deep experience with a topic and want to write a guide, reach out to staff.]]>