Post Cycle Therapy 2.0

It’s already been 5 years since I wrote this post on PCT so that it would be clear for every practitioner who wants to do one or more cures. This post was picked up by many sites but it never evolved and some took it for granted! How many practitioners have I heard say “PCT doesn’t work”. I had to remedy this, In this world things change and so do the truths!!!

Recovery also called PCT (Post Cycle Therapy)
.

What is it for?

Simply to restore the HPTA (Hypothalamic Pituitary Testicular Axis) and also to try to keep our gains during a cure.

Small explicit diagram:

By User: Uwe Gille – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1319114

Functional representation of the gonadotropic axis in humans

The hypothalamic neurons secrete GnRH, which activates the release of FSH and LH from the gonadotropic cells of the adenohyphysis. FSH and LH, by acting on the testicles, allow to maintain constant the plasma concentration of testosterone, and thus the male sexual characteristics. Testosterone in turn limits the secretion of GnRH, FSH and LH.

What is a proper recovery made of?

Well, several adjuvants complementing each other. There are the famous “AI” (aromatase inhibitors), the “SERM” (selective estrogen receptor modulator) and HCG/HMG.

Aromatase inhibitors or Aromatase Inhibitors

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs), also known as anti-aromatase agents, are a class of drugs that inhibit the activity of aromatase, an enzyme that helps convert steroid hormones into estrogen, and therefore block the production of estrogen.

There are two types of aromatase inhibitors approved for the treatment of breast cancer:

Irreversible steroidal inhibitors, such as exemestane (Aromasine), which form a permanent deactivating link with aromatase.
non-steroidal inhibitors, such as anastrazole (Arimidex) and letrozole (Femara), which inhibit estrogen synthesis through reversible competition with other substrates used by aromatase to produce estrogen.

SERMs

Clomid and Nolvadex:

Clomid and Nolvadex are the two main SERMs (selective estrogen receptor modulators) used for the assisted recovery of testosterone production after anabolic steroid cycles.

Clomid and Nolvadex work by occupying estrogen receptor binding sites on cells, without activating the receptors. This reduces the limit at which estradiol can activate these receptors. In the case of the hypothalamus, this causes the hypothalamus to “conclude” that estrogen levels are low. If androgen levels are not high, as they should not be after a cycle of anabolic steroids, the hypothalamus is stimulated to produce LHRH (Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone). This will cause an increase in LH and restart the production of natural testosterone.

LH Replacement Therapy

H.C.G: Human Choronic Gonadotropin
Human Choronic Gonadotropin in English or in French, Hormone Chronique Gonadotrope Humaine, also named Human Gonadotropine.

Steroid use causes the hypothalamus to stop producing GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone or ). Without GnRH, the pituitary gland no longer delivers LH. Without LH, the testicles (or gonads) stop producing testosterone. For men, HCG closely resembles LH. If the testicles have shrunk after long term steroid use, they will probably begin to grow and start producing testosterone soon after HCG therapy is started. HCG stimulates the testicles to produce testosterone and increases their size.

Warning: HCG does nothing for sperm production, its only function is to increase testosterone levels. For this reason, many bodybuilders suffer from fertility problems.

H.M.G: Human Menoposal Gonadotropin

Unlike HCG, some HMGs(those composed of LH and FSH) have the distinct ability to maintain testosterone production and sperm production simultaneously. HMG does not rely on mimetics in order to achieve the desired result. On the contrary, it promotes production by natural means. HMG is a combination of two pituitary hormones known as LH and FSH(note that some HMGs are 100% FSH). LH is the hormone that simulates testosterone production, while FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) is the main hormone responsible for sperm production. Both hormones must be present to keep the testicles fully functional.

What? When and how?

So what should we use and when? I will try to explain why I prefer certain products over others at key moments. Some things work well, others better, but it’s like many things in our sport: Everyone is different!

Aromatase Inhibitors

So we have the two ranges that the athlete is interested in on this very specific point that is the recovery.

We have estrogen blockers (Arimidex and Letrozole) and killers (Aromasin). In my 1st thread about the raise, I didn’t quite understand why add an AI at the time of the raise.

As of today (2016), I’m listening to several schools: No IA, with blocking IA, or with killing IA. We are well advanced…

In fact, to simplify things, I think that for “light” cycles, a classic HCG/SERM boost can be sufficient. However, when is a cycle no longer “light”? For me, 19nor derivatives (Trenbolone, Decadurabolin etc…) are a nightmare for relaunching. Therefore, not only do I recommend SERM/HCG but also AI.

Ok but which one? This age-old question that I am asked quite regularly. I prefer Aromasin because the fact that it does not give a chance to estrogen rebound is reassuring but also because it is beneficial to increase IGF-1 levels, which is very useful during the recovery. However, Arimidex could do the job perfectly well but once the treatment is stopped, I fear that the “trapped” estrogens are only looking to re-emerge…that’s my take on it.

Thor49 recommended dosage: Aromasin 12.5mg to 25mg ED during PCT

In a future article, I will talk about the intrinsic differences of each of the AIs but for now this is not the topic!!!

SERMs

We have seen that Clomid and Nolvadex had the same action on LH production. They boost the natural production of testosterone. Which one to choose if they are identical? Clomid acts on the pituitary gland, stimulating it to signal to the pituitary gland LH, which in turn stimulates the testicles to activate (spermatogenesis, testosterone). After the treatment, the natural mechanism (pituitary gland, pituitary gland, testicles) must resume and Clomid has a direct effect on this level. However, it is not as good an anti-estrogen as Nolvadex. It is important to know that the hypothalamus “looks” as much at the presence of estrogen as at the presence of androgens and that both are suppressive of natural testosterone production. Thus, the combination of Clomid and Nolvadex combines a direct stimulating effect on the hypothalamus-pituitary-testicular axis with an effective blocking of estrogens at this level, which would otherwise be detrimental to the revival process. There again several schools, the “Old School bodybuilders” preferred just Clomid or just Nolvadex but then we worked to use both together…

Well, he continues to not help us this Thor49!!!

As above, for “light” cycles, one or the other can work very well. If I were to use only one, my choice would be Nolvadex because it is better tolerated and has very few side effects compared to Clomid but…yes there is a but, why not take both and cover every angle of MDT i.e. increase LH/FSH/Testosterone levels…?

For me, one cannot go without the other because they are complementary.

Recommended dosage by Thor49 (during MDT):

Day 1: 150 to 300mg Clomid + 40mg Nolvadex

Day 2 to 11: 100mg Clomid + 20mg Nolvadex

Day 12 to 21: 50mg Clomid + 20mg Nolvadex

LH Replacement Therapy

H.C.G: Human Choronic Gonadotropin

As we have seen, HCG increases LH levels. To be more precise, this product is a mimetic on the effects of LH on the system and stimulates the Leydig cells to produce more testosterone and therefore it has the effect of restoring the size of the testicles. This peptide has its place DURING the treatment and AFTER the treatment. HCG simulates LH while the pituitary gland rests during the cycle, being saturated with hormones it suspends its signal to the testicles. So hCG replaces LH during the cycle, keeping the Leydig and other cells in the testicles active.

Caution: At too high a dose, it can have the opposite effect…

Recommended dosage per Thor49 (during the cycle):

From week 3 to the end of the treatment: 250 to 500ui E3D

Recommended dosage per Thor49 (after the treatment): if no hcg during

1500ui to 2500ui every 4 or 5 days in a row after the treatment, for 2 or 3 weeks, followed by SERM MDT with or without AI

FSH Replacement Therapy

H.M.G: Human Menoposal Gonadotropin

Luxury? So I wouldn’t necessarily go that far but…well actually I would. This peptide stimulates the production of LH but also of FSH. Where hcg finds its limit, hmg finds its place depending on its composition (just fsh or fsh/lh).

Recommended dosage per Thor49 (just FSH): Fertility aid

Monday: 1000 to 1500ui HCG + 75ui HMG

Wednesday: 75ui HMG

Friday 1000 to 1500ui HCG +75ui HMG

Recommended dosage by Thor49 (just FSH): Before pct

75ui HMG ED for 14 days + HCG 1000ui E4D for 14 days

Note from Thor49: Aromasin can be used during the MDT

When to start the relaunch?

The half-lives of the products must be taken into account in order to start the protocol in time.
As an example, we will take a testo enanthate/boldo treatment: the PCT will start 21 days after the end of the injections. Why is this? Because the half life of testo is about 14 days but that of boldo is 21 days so…

Anadrol/Anapolan: 24 hours after last administration
Deca: 21 days after the last injection
Dianabol: 24 hours after the last administration
Equipoise: 21 days after the last injection
Fina: 3 days after the last injection
Primobolan deposit: 14 days after the last injection
Sustanon: 18 days after the last injection
Testosterone Cypionate: 18 days after the last injection
Testosterone Enanthate: 14 days after the last injection
Testosterone Propionate: 3 days after the last injection
Testosterone suspension: 24 hours after the last administration
Winstrol: 24 hours after the last administration

The different protocols used:

The classic 22-day protocol
(perhaps the one that circulates the most on the net)

HCG during the 250ui E3D treatment then
Day 1: 150 to 300mg Clomid + 40mg Nolvadex

Days 2 to 11: 100mg Clomid + 20mg Nolvadex

Days 12 to 21: 50mg Clomid + 20mg Nolvadex

The SERM + AI protocol

HCG during the 250ui E3D treatment then

Day 1: 150-300mg Clomid + 40mg Nolvadex + 12.5mg Aromasin

Day 2 to 11: 100mg Clomid + 20mg Nolvadex + 12.5mg Aromasin EOD

Day 12 to 21: 50mg Clomid + 20mg Nolvadex + 12.5mg Aromasin EOD

Dr. Scally’s protocol

Days 1 to 16 HCG 2500Iu EOD
Days 1 to 30 Clomid 100mg ED
Days 1 to 45 nolva 20mg ED

Note from Thor49: I really like this “Power PCT”, it really works.

For a seasoned practitioner and after a blast and cruise or a full prep, I would recommend this:

Days 1 to 14: 75ui HMG ED + HCG 1000ui EOD

Days 1 to 30: 100mg Clomid

Days 1 to 45: 20mg Nolvadex + 12.5mg Aromasin EOD
Supplements can also help.

Which ones?

Anti cortisol

Vitamin C (1.5grs/day) can lower cortisol levels, as can Phosphatidylserine (800mg/day), 7-Hydroxy-DHEA etc… a non-exhaustive list.

Helps with LH production

Vitamin E will reinforce the effect of Hcg, dose 1000ui/day.

Boosters of testo

: dhea 12.5mg, tribulus 750mg etc…

The addition of peptides, such as HGH, IGF1-LR3, GHRP-6 + CJC1295 combos are also a winning cocktail to a good MDT.

Of course, if you want to keep maximum gains, you have to do these various protocols, but you also have to keep eating and training well because many people are cutting back or eating less. However, it is necessary to keep the same assiduity as during the cycle!