DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
MT Lives!
HTML https://mtlives.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: Testosterone, Steroids and Performance Enhancing Dr...
*****************************************************
#Post#: 530--------------------------------------------------
Beginners Steroid Use – FAQs (Extensively Updated June 2019)
By: PartyBoy Date: June 3, 2019, 5:49 am
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]Beginners Steroid Use – FAQs (Extensively Updated June
3rd 2019)[/center]
Article by PartyBoy (MT Lives Administrator and former
MuscleTalk Moderator) and Crackaddict (fomer MuscleTalk
Pro-Member)
So, you’ve had enough! You’ve been training your guts out. You
have got your diet nailed. You sleep like a log every night. But
you just can’t grow no matter what you do. So you have decided
to turn to the ‘Dark side’ for some help.
This article is a designed to help you by providing information
and suggestions that will increase basic Anabolic/Androgenic
Steroids (AAS) usage knowledge. You will then have a much better
understanding of what is being suggested in topics on the forum
and the reasons behind the advice. Please bear in mind that
there is very often no right or wrong answers when discussing
AAS usage and a variety of possible solutions/cycles/answers may
be given. Ultimately, it is your body, so it stands to reason
that personal knowledge is imperative.
As I’m sure you can appreciate, there are a range of recurring
questions which tend to be asked by every prospective steroid
user:
•
•
•
•
•
•
At this point we assume you’ve taken the decision to use
steroids, but have no idea what they are and what they do. Read
on…
What are Steroids?
Testosterone is the main male sex hormone which is naturally
produced by the human body. Steroids are a synthetic form of
testosterone or its derivatives. Bodybuilders will often use
testosterone. Testosterone is what you can thank for Strength
and Size. (You can read more in the article 'Testosterone as an
Anabolic Steroid.'
Am I old enough?
There's no hard and fast rule is the simple answer. It becomes a
pressing issue the younger you are. Using steroids as a late
teenager or even into the early twenties can lead to the
premature closue of growth plates. This means you may not attain
the overall height, or shoulder clavicle width that would have
otherwise been the case. As a young trainer, your endocrine
system is also at a vital stage in your life, which should
incidentally provide you with plenty of natural testosterone
anyway!
Of course there are other considerations such as training
experience of the individual. For example, it would be unwise
for a 25 year old who has been training only a few months to
want to use steroids. Their training and diet knowledge are
likely to be limited (these should be 100% in check to make
‘proper use’ of a steroid cycle). Not only that, but there will
be massive potential for natural gains, without the need to even
think about steroids.
Which steroid should I take?
By spending time browsing through old posts as well as learning
from current ones, you will start to become familiar with not
only the different steroid names and typical dosages, but also
how they are used towards a particular goal. This will provide
you with a ‘shortlist’ of possible steroids that can be further
researched to ascertain whether the effects/side effects are
acceptable to you.
I hate needles, can I just take tablets?
Should take tablets or inject? What’s the difference? Let’s look
at each in turn: Well the obvious difference is that one is
swallowed, the other is injected. But let’s be more specific;
most oral steroids are hepatotoxic (i.e. toxic to the liver). As
the tablet/pill travels through the body it passes through the
gastrointestinal tract, then to the liver which has a mission to
destroy it, thus preventing the steroid from entering the
bloodstream. As a result, scientific boffins replaced the
hydrogen atom with a carbon atom to the 17th position of the
steroid molecule, which for the most part, will enable the
steroid to survive the first pass hepatic metabolism. This
process is commonly referred to as 17-alpha alkylation (17-AA or
C-17).
Whilst this alkylation is desirable for the athlete in terms of
improving the bio-availability of the oral steroid, it does
however, place undue stress on the liver. Liver values (a set of
markers which are used to assess liver function) may be elevated
whilst using 17-aa steroids and as such, they are generally used
sparingly to compliment an injectable cycle. Certain nutritional
supplement products are often used for liver protection:
•
•
•
Injectable Steroids are not for intravenous use (injected into
the vein). Doing this could result in serious injury or possibly
even cardiac arrest from an oil embolism reaching the heart.
They must instead be injected intra-muscularly (into the
muscle). Administration via the injectable route avoids the
‘first pass’ through the liver; though some the harsher steroids
will place a strain on the kidneys during exctretion in large
doses.
There are two main different types of injectable steroids: Water
or oil based. Water based steroids are metabolised quickly,
requiring frequent (often daily) injections. Much more commonly
as it happens, Oil based ones are released more slowly into the
bloodstream and are generally injected once or twice weekly.
Where do I inject?
Normally, users will opt to inject into the gluteus maximus
muscle (the muscle under your flabby bum!). A good, sterile
technique is well worth emphasising as this can avoid adverse
experiences including abcesses and skin/tissue infection. If the
proper procedure is implemented, then the occurrence of abcesses
can be reduced substancially.
Aside from the glutes muscles, the quads (thigh muscles), and
deltoids (shoulders) are often utilised as injection sites,
particularly for heavier steroid cycles, where the volume of oil
administered each week is considerable.
What is an Ester?
A Steroid Ester refers to the chain of carbon atoms attached to
the steroid molecule at the 17th position. The longer the chain,
the greater the time taken for the steroid to be released into
the bloodstream. Testosterone propionate, for example, is a
relatively short chain ester and therefore makes the parent
hormone fast acting and requiring more frequent injections. The
opposite is the case for longer chain esters e.g. enanthate,
cypionate, undecanoate.
What should I take?
There are wide variances of opinion, but just one example of a
beginner's cycle might be 8 weeks of testosterone at 500mg per
week and 4 weeks of Dianabol at 25mg daily. This utilises one
injectable (testosterone) and one oral (Dianabol or D-Bol). The
testosterone would be injected twice per week, i.e. one ampoule
of 250mg on Monday, the other on Thursday or Friday. The oral
dosages are normally split largely evenly throughout the day
since oral half lives are short (a drug half life describes the
time taken for half of the drug dosage to be utilised by the
body). They are also usually taken with means, in an effort to
avoid any gastro-intestinal discomfort. (You can read more in
the Dianabol/Methandrostenolone) Article.
What time of day should I inject?
It makes absolutely no difference what time of day you inject.
Whatever suits you. Some users find that taking a hot bath or
shower immediately following their injection helps with oil
dispersion within the muscle whilst also helping ease any muscle
discomfort.
Injection frequency
Aim for Mon/Thu for longer acting esters (Sustanon, enanthate,
cypionate, decanoate (Deca)). These could reasonably be injected
just once per week for the needle-shy, though twice is normally
the preferred option in an attempt to maintain even blood plasma
concentration levels.
Should I buy steroids online from a website?
Never buy from an online website offering steroids. Almost all
online websites either have nothing to sell ie. are scammers, or
supply fake or counterfeit steroids. This becomes much more of a
problem for novice users who will not yet have the experience
required in order to spot a counterfeit product. Keep yourself
safe and from losing your hard earned cash -always have your
prospective source checked first. This can be done by messaging
an Administrator of the board that you trust. They are in the
best position to know which sources are to be trusted, and which
sources and websites are to be avoided like the plague.
What will I gain?
Almost impossible to answer, as there are umpteen variables at
play, aside from the steroids employed. Diet is by far the most
important factor, though there are others such as training
intensity and routines, and just as importantly, that amount of
quality sleep and recouperation periods one enjoys. Remember -
you are tearing down your muscle fibres in the gym.....at rest
is when the repair and muscle anabolism (growth) occurs. All
things being equal, (which they never are!) the direct factors
which will determine gains include:
•
•
•
gains purely because there is greater scope for those gains
•
normal Testosterone levels through the HPTA
(Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Testicular-Axis)
What’s a Frontload / Kickstart?
A ‘frontload’ is used to reach peak blood concentration levels
much sooner than would otherwise be possible. It is achieved by
a doubling of the normal weekly dose in the first week
(occasionally the first two weeks). So if your cycle was to use
500mg testosterone enanthate weekly, you would inject 1000mg
during the first week. 500mg on Moday, 500mg on Thursady or
Friday.
An oral ‘kickstart’ instead describes the use of a fast acting
oral steroid whilst your injectables are reaching their peak,
i.e. 30mg of Dianabol daily, taken for the first 4 weeks.
What are Anti-Es?
Anti-Es are anti-oestrogens (or as the Americans say
‘estrogens’). Certain steroids aromatise to oestrogen through
the aromatase enzyme which can lead to undesirable side-effects.
Oestrogen, after all is the dominant female hormone.
By employing anti-estrogens when necessary, you can reduce the
occurence of estrogenic side-effects such as water retention and
gynecomastia (gyno for short). Gynecomastia is the formation of
male breast tissue following activation of the male breast
estrogen receptor (ER). Anti-estrogen drugs such as Tamoxifen
(brand name Nolvadex or Nolva for short) effectively compete for
the Estrogen Receptor (being a very weak estrogen themselves)
and thereby blocki its activation by the much stronger
circulatory aromatised estrogen. Such Anti-E drugs are also
commonly referred to as SERMS (Selective Estrogen Receptor
Modulators).
What are AI's?
These include drugs which inhibit the formation of estrogen in
the first instance. They achieve this by blocking the action of
the enzyme responsible for the aromatization process (5-ar or
5-alpha reductase enzyme). Anastrozole (brand name Arimidex),
Letrozole and Exemestane (brand name Aromasin) are examples of
Aromatase Inhibitors (AI's).
Whether you include AI's or SERMS in your steroid cycle is a
matter for personal choice, usually driven by the users'
susceptibility to the effects of estrogen. Of course, the choice
of steroid, together with the associated dosage and cycle length
will also influence the need for such precautionary drugs.
Whilst it is prudent to have such drugs in your posession to use
immediately if required, it is generally not advisable to use
them as a matter of course, in an almost paranoid or fearful
fashion. After all, we all don't pop paracetamol every day, just
in case we might develop a headache!
How do I avoid Gyno?
The condition Gynecomastia is often referred to by the slang
term ‘b1tch t1ts’. Puffy, itchy or sore nipples are often early
symptoms. If left untreated, pea-like lumps of glandular tissue
can develop underneath the nipple and at this stage it may be
hard to reverse, even with the use of AI and SERM drugs. In
extreme cases, surgical removal of the offending breast tissue
is the only effective treatment, so as always - listen to your
body!
What exactly is PCT?
PCT stands for Post Cycle Therapy, and is the process you
undertake through ancilliary drug use in an attempt to restore
your naturally produced testosterone (Endogenous production).
This is essential if you want to stand a good chance of
retaining your muscular gains. Nolvadex, Clomid and sometimes
HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) are the drugs typically used
during, or in anticipation of, the PCT. However, it is important
to realise that when you complete PCT it does not mean that
recovery is fulfilled. You are simply using the PCT drugs to
kickstart your body into action, with the actual recovery
process takes many weeks, sometimes months to complete. Some
like to gauge recovery from subjective factors such as libido,
though ultimately for a much more accurate picture, a blood test
for endocrinology marker levels will be required.
What about pre-steroid use blood tests?
It cannot be stressed enough the importance of obtaining certain
blood test results prior to commencing steroids. These personal
baseline readings serve multiple purposes. Firstly, they can
prove vital in uncovering any underlying medical issues that may
not be already known. Should this be the case, it will determine
whether the individual feels that they should avoid steroids
completely, or delay use until such time where it appears health
is optimal. Also, as many facets of blood readings can be
affected by steroids, it is vital that you have pre-steroid use
values so that comparisons can be made to baseline, which will
provide a valuable insight into how ‘recovery’ is progressing.
Will this cycle have any effect on my sex drive? Gotta keep the
missus happy!
You’ll turn into a p0rn star and feel like a Sex God! Joking
aside, you should generally experience an increase in libido
especially if using strong androgens, though effects between
individuals do vary. If do you experience any loss of interest,
or you experience problems maintaining an erect1on (notorious
with certain androgenically weak steroids), the drug Proviron is
often used as a counter measure.
Summary
This FAQ article is not in any way designed to deter the posting
of further questions on the MT Lives forums. However, by
extending your knowledge, the above will provide you with a much
better understanding of any further advice given in response to
a question.
It would be very helpful when requesting information regarding a
cycle, to include details such as you age, stats, training
experience, previous cycle experience and goals and aspirations.
This will greatly assist members answering the query, as most,
if not all, of these factors are taken into consideration when
providing suggestions.
If you already have steroids and are merely asking for
assistance in designing a cycle, it is imperative that you list
not only the actual AAS you intend to use and ml volume of each,
but also the mg/ml ratio of each as this varies with different
manufacturing labs.
Should you be concerned about anything at all – just ask. Other
experienced members and the MT Lives expert Administrator team
are here to help and provide guidance to ensure that your
steroid usage is as safe and productive as possible.
Warning! Articles related to the use of performance enhancing
drugs are for information purposes only and are the sole
expressions of the individual authors opinion. We do not promote
the use of these substances and the information contained within
this publication is not intended to persuade or encourage the
use or possession of illegal substances. These substances should
be used only under the advice and supervision of a qualified,
licensed physician.
*****************************************************