First Bulk Cycle, 20 weeks planned. Any Tips?

[Smokeythabear]

I’d try to keep that z score under 3. but your labs look pretty decent bro!

I agree and I’ve never had it above high 2s. I was stoked to know that the HYB GH I’ve been pinning is doing its job haha. From everything I’ve read, it’s ok to be elevated at these levels short term for the bulk but not where I want it to stay beyond that.

 

[Smokeythabear]

Are you taking anything for cholesterol?

10mg Ezetimibe and 5mg Rosuvastatin. I also take 4-5g of Fish Oil a day and eat pretty clean. I’m happy to see the HDL where it’s at. Even with those few weeks of Var in there. My cholesterol now on gear and ancillaries is way better than my baseline.

 

[Photon]

I took bloodwork in week 7 and I was waiting on the sensitive E2 results to update the log with my bloodwork but of course Labcorp is lagging on those. I’ll update with those when I get them back but I expect that my sensitive E2 is in a good spot. I have no low E2 symptoms compared to when Primo crushed it to 12.8. I think EQ converting to estrone (E1) is throwing off the standard E2 results. I will opt for the uncapped Testosterone test next go around (in another 6 weeks) and add a CMP.

Scale is at a weekly avg of 206lbs right now. Chest, arms, lats and quads are all feeling and looking bigger and firmer. Measurements confirm the same. Vascularity is great and I’m only slightly more watery/softer than the start. Lifts are climbing and strength is still picking up. Being more on the intermediate side has allowed me to do a 6 day split of full body push pull (Eric Helms style). So far, I am able to push to mechanical/proper form failure and be recovered/ready for the next session on those body parts. Im running the split on an alternating ABC (days) schedule for push and for pull. Tracking progressive overload with an app. Logbook looks great and I feel good. Not much else to say at this point fellas.

I’ll link some bloodwork resources below for pricing comparisons and a 20% off discount if you use the code FhbPz5

@Primal_Pharma Test C 250mg/ml (P10 & P12) and EQ 300mg/ml (P12 batch). Everything is pinned daily:
Test 50mg (350 week)
EQ 20mg (140 week)
4IU HGH
1mg Reta twice a week

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Bloodwork Pricing comparison

20% off discount if you use the code FhbPz5

HelloGoodLabs - Best Bloodwork Option (no subscription for great pricing)

Nice ggt
apoB and LDL tracks very closely, you can probably skip the apoB
CMP is really cheap, I'd recommend including it all the time even tho you do have ggt
No harm monitoring cystatin C as well for kidneys

 

[Smokeythabear]

Nice ggt
apoB and LDL tracks very closely, you can probably skip the apoB
CMP is really cheap, I'd recommend including it all the time even tho you do have ggt
No harm monitoring cystatin C as well for kidneys

Good points and thank you. It was definitely an oversight on my part with missing the CMP. That fasting glucose number would’ve been good to see but with hbA1c still at 5 and fasting insulin under 8, the Reta is clearly helping keep the insulin sensitivity high, despite that relatively large amount of carbs. I’ll skip the ApoB and probably add in the Cystatin C and CRP next go around. I like to rotate those numbers in and out, especially with different compounds in play.

Oh and it hasn’t been mentioned but my blood pressure is averaging around 119/66. I do take 5mg Tadalafil and 40mg Telmisartan. Those aren’t just in play for BP at this point but also for the secondary and tertiary benefits.

 

[Smokeythabear]

I got the results back for sensitive estradiol and I was wrong. They are actually lower than the estradiol assay. I’m guessing that the high amount of testosterone and total androgens in my system is what made me feel fine, despite the tanked E2. If I reflect on any potential flags, I could say my erection quality is a bit less firm and my left shoulder has been somewhat crunchy. I’ve been doing scapular wall slides, band pull aparts, and paying closer attention to properly retracting my scaps during certain lifts and that’s helped a lot. I’m sure raising my E2 will help with both issues and obviously aid in muscular growth/strength, plus I will get those critical cardio protective benefits of higher e2.

I pinned 60mg of Test Prop last night and will do the same for a couple of more days. My first thought for the long term plan is to adjust EQ down to 105mg and Test up to 420mg weekly. Another option is to bring on low dose NPP for the rest of the bulk and I do have Dbol on hand to help with the tanked E2 for a few days if recommended.

Let me know what you bros think I should do. I’m 8 weeks in and plan to adjust and move forward.

 

[Smokeythabear]

@Dial It In @RockyP @Oldhand @Civdiv @adrenalytic @Photon @trynagains

 

[Dial It In]

Goo

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@Dial It In @RockyP @Oldhand @Civdiv @adrenalytic @Photon @trynagains

Good with your E2 that low? Not everyone “functions” well when it gets too low.

 

[Smokeythabear]

Goo

Good with your E2 that low? Not everyone “functions” well when it gets too low.

That’s the interesting part, I feel pretty good. I don’t feel “off” or emotionally/socially numb, like I would expect. I can have sex easily with the wife, I am always ready. The main worry to me is the lack of cardio protection and staying low while trying to add mass.

 

[dinfar1337]

I am always ready. The main worry to me is the lack of cardio protection and staying low while trying to add mass.

you should probably be wary of your joints & bones short term while you're fixing your estrogen.

dont want to get injured in these stupid 2-4 weeks your estrogen is low.

lower volume and get your estrogen right if you're banging 20-30 sets a muscle a week good time to deload volume in half

 

[trynagains]

That’s the interesting part, I feel pretty good. I don’t feel “off” or emotionally/socially numb, like I would expect. I can have sex easily with the wife, I am always ready. The main worry to me is the lack of cardio protection and staying low while trying to add mass.

How is your blood pressure? Mine’s off the charts when e2 gets that low.

 

[Smokeythabear]

How is your blood pressure? Mine’s off the charts when e2 gets that low.

All good. Just took it this morning and it’s right around where it usually is. My ring has my avg RHR at 68.

 

[Oldhand]

G

All good. Just took it this morning and it’s right around where it usually is. My ring has my avg RHR at 68.

Glad to hear everything is working out!

When my E gets low it’s not a good time. Amazing how different everyone is.