32 Weeks + Test only First cycle ?

[LarrytheLobster]

Hi everyone!


---

Introduction

I’m a 31-year-old French powerlifter competing in the -105 kg (231 lbs) class.
My current numbers are:

Squat: 250 kg (551 lbs)

Bench: 160 kg (353 lbs)

Deadlift: 240 kg (529 lbs)

Total: 640 kg (1,411 lbs)


I’m planning to move from the IPF (if you saw the level of hypocrisy in that organization…) to an untested federation such as ABS Powerlifting or WRPF.

Goal:
Reach 500 Dots or more — basically, an 850 kg (1,874 lbs) total in the long term — something I don’t believe I can achieve naturally.
(Realistically, I might have been able to grind naturally up to 730–750 kg (1,609–1,653 lbs) total at best, probably by the time I’m 36.)

Background:

2.5 years in powerlifting

~8 years of serious bodybuilding

Training consistency has had its ups and downs due to work, buying a house, and family life (soon to have 3 kids).


I’m currently cutting:

Starting point: 108.2 kg (238 lbs) fasted

Current: 98.2 kg (216 lbs) fasted

Time: 10 weeks

Bodyfat: between 15% and 17%

Diet: High-fat, low-carb, ~2600 kcal/day average (training & non-training day variations)


Plan is to keep cutting until I reach 95 kg (209 lbs) or less before starting my cycle, aiming for ~12% body fat. Obviously, my total has taken a hit during the cut.

I’ve already done baseline bloodwork (attached). I was a bit surprised by my fasting glucose and borderline lipid profile, but that might be due to intermittent fasting and the nature of my diet.

After that i will probably never go up in +15% bodyfat ever again, will not do need chub strength gains anymore.


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The Cycle

This plan was heavily inspired by beginner protocols from Vigorous Steve and Chase Irons.

On hand (Soon) :

5 × 10 ml Test Enanthate

2 × 50 caps Anastrozole

1 × 50 caps Raloxifene
(All from Driada)


Administration:
Daily subq injections using BD Fine + Demi 30G / 0.3 ml.

Protocol:

Weeks 1–8: 250 mg/week (14.3 IU/day)
→ Bloodwork

Weeks 9–17: 300 mg/week (17 IU/day)
→ Bloodwork

Weeks 18–26: 350 mg/week (20 IU/day)
→ Bloodwork

Weeks 27–32: 400 mg/week (23 IU/day)
→ Bloodwork


After that, I’ll either:

- Cruise: 170–200 mg/week, or

- Continue the mini-blast and possibly add a DHT derivative depending on aromatization.


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Aromatization Concerns

I suspect I’m a heavy aromatizer. My brother and I were both chubby as kids, and we both developed gynecomastia between ages 12–15:

Him: Type 2 (had surgery)

Me: Type 1 (puffy nipples) — barely noticeable when cold


That’s why I have Raloxifene on hand.
That said, I’ll probably just get surgery one day regardless.

---

Support supps while on

EPA/DHA: 3–4 g/day

Citrus Bergamot: 1,000 mg/day

DIM: 200 mg/day

ZMA: Zn 30–40 mg / Mg 400–450 mg

Vitamin D3: 5,000–7,000 IU/day
---

Medical Follow-up

I have an appointment with my GP on September 5th. I plan to be upfront with her and hopefully get her to monitor me and prescribe regular bloodwork.

PS : I will not increase the dose if my bloodwork gets messy at some point.


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Any advice is welcome — thanks in advance, guys!

Larry the Lobster

 

[SalvatoreCorvus]

Hi friend
I won't have much to say. Except that it's nice to see someone who is concensied and organized.

The gradual increase in the dosage is correct, and as you say must be done according to the blood tests but also if you REALLY need it.
I mean that if you have a good progression with 300mg, 400mg is more but it won't make you progress much faster.

I also think that with time you won't stay with testostérone overtime (like everyone). You'll want to try something else . But the basic idea is a good one : Long cycles with less product is the best way to progress in the long term.

Take care of your HDL which is already low now and will suffer later.
So a diet adapt to that, You can add krill oil if you have the budget for it (2gr), gentle cardio on an empty stomach

For the use of anastrozol does the according to the blood e2 values. It's good to have it on hand but never take it without it being a necessity (not just by feeling)

I think you're going to handle it like a chef, you seem to me to know where to go and don't want to consume an execissive product.

 

[dr. Doping]

Salvatore already said alot, I'd just add some more things to keep an eye on: blood pressure. Especially for powerlifters, blood pressure can be an issue, so stay on top of it. Bloodwork looks good, keep an eye on lipids and liver enzymes and you'll be fine

 

[dr. Doping]

I’m planning to move from the IPF (if you saw the level of hypocrisy in that organization…) to an untested federation such as ABS Powerlifting or WRPF.

Was it the stiff knee sleeves ban that pushed you over the edge? Asking because I started my powerlifting journey in the WRPF because they have a few things I prefer over IPF: 24 hour early weigh ins, deadlift bar on deadlifts, better atmosphere on lifts, monolift, etc.

 

[LarrytheLobster]

Hi friends,
Thanks for the support !

Hi friend
I won't have much to say. Except that it's nice to see someone who is concensied and organized.

The gradual increase in the dosage is correct, and as you say must be done according to the blood tests but also if you REALLY need it.
I mean that if you have a good progression with 300mg, 400mg is more but it won't make you progress much faster.

I also think that with time you won't stay with testostérone overtime (like everyone). You'll want to try something else . But the basic idea is a good one : Long cycles with less product is the best way to progress in the long term.

Take care of your HDL which is already low now and will suffer later.
So a diet adapt to that, You can add krill oil if you have the budget for it (2gr), gentle cardio on an empty stomach

For the use of anastrozol does the according to the blood e2 values. It's good to have it on hand but never take it without it being a necessity (not just by feeling)

I think you're going to handle it like a chef, you seem to me to know where to go and don't want to consume an execissive product.

Wise words — I think I might get my lipids rechecked before starting (just a couple of bucks). There were too many trans fats in my diet before that bloodwork, but I’ve since switched to better dietary choices.

For E2 management, I’ll definitely go by the bloodwork results. If I notice any high E2 symptoms (high BP, excessive water retention, nipple sensitivity) before the scheduled labs, I’ll get tested to confirm.

I think this cycle and its pacing will be good for learning how to manage estradiol, and I hope the daily subq administration will give me even more control.

Good point — if I find a sweet spot without sides, I might just stay on it. I’ll let you know.

Great physique, by the way, you’re killing it.

Salvatore already said alot, I'd just add some more things to keep an eye on: blood pressure. Especially for powerlifters, blood pressure can be an issue, so stay on top of it. Bloodwork looks good, keep an eye on lipids and liver enzymes and you'll be fine

I didn’t mention it before, but yes — that’s crucial. I’ll be monitoring it as needed.
My blood pressure ranges from a minimum of 116/61 to a maximum of 136/83 first thing in the morning, depending on nicotine (ex smoker) /caffeine intake. It fluctuates quite a bit — don’t you think? I’m using a cheap arm cuff that’s slightly too tight for me.

Was it the stiff knee sleeves ban that pushed you over the edge? Asking because I started my powerlifting journey in the WRPF because they have a few things I prefer over IPF: 24 hour early weigh ins, deadlift bar on deadlifts, better atmosphere on lifts, monolift, etc.

There’s definitely some of that going on (they’re pushing SBD over other brands), and the drug testing is laughable. Around 15–20% of the top IPF (FFForce) nationals here are basically juicing — even a female lifter got caught and was covered up by the French federation. Not a single urine test has been done at the national championship since 2021.

I think they’re letting it slide because the sport is growing fast. The downside is that young guys in the gym end up with completely unrealistic goals and a delusional view of what’s achievable naturally, at least for them, real freaks are quite rare.

And yeah, having the Euro Truck Simulator 2 main menu theme playing throughout the meet really put me off.

Anyway, thanks a lot, guys!
Let’s keep in touch.

 

[dr. Doping]

depending on nicotine (ex smoker)

Yes, I have found the same thing myself, how drastically nicotine influences blood pressure. Stopping nicotine is not just a health decision, it's also a financial decision, since now I spend less on snuss and less on blood pressure meds. It's also worth noting nicotine quite heavily decreases HDL and also worsens insulin sensitivity.

There’s definitely some of that going on (they’re pushing SBD over other brands), and the drug testing is laughable. Around 15–20% of the top IPF (FFForce) nationals here are basically juicing — even a female lifter got caught and was covered up by the French federation. Not a single urine test has been done at the national championship since 2021.

I think they’re letting it slide because the sport is growing fast. The downside is that young guys in the gym end up with completely unrealistic goals and a delusional view of what’s achievable naturally, at least for them, real freaks are quite rare.

And yeah, having the Euro Truck Simulator 2 main menu theme playing throughout the meet really put me off.

I am quite sure most of top athletes (in all sports) are doping, I used to be a high level competitive fencer (before starting powerlifting) and we had a guy doping in fencing of all sports. They actually started testing the open category (in fencing) in my country, but the only guy who failed the drug test was my old coach, because he smokes too much weed.

The brand favoritism in the IPF is laughable, not to mention all lifting gear used must be approved by them which drives up the cost by alot. Also the same thing that was happening in our fencing federation is happening in IPF sanctioned national federations: internal politics and favourite athletes: the strongest female powerlifter Agata Sitko is banned from competing, because she pulled out of a meet because they didn't allow her coach to go with her and the strongest sub120 lifter in the world Rondel Huinte is banned because of their internal politics (also the bullshit about competing in other federations being treated the same as doping is just retarded - they used this against him, because IPF didn't sanction any federation in his country for a few years and he went to the USAPL, which is afaik on the same level of strictness as IPF, but the IPF didn't care and banned him for 2 years).

About the music though, the WRPF in my country played some random metal playlist from soundcloud which was fine.

 

[tornpt]

Any specific reason for going SubQ instead of IM?

 

[dr. Doping]

Support supps while on

EPA/DHA: 3–4 g/day

Citrus Bergamot: 1,000 mg/day

DIM: 200 mg/day

ZMA: Zn 30–40 mg / Mg 400–450 mg

Vitamin D3: 5,000–7,000 IU/day

As far as supps go, fish oil is overhyped IMO, I never saw much difference on bloodwork.
Citrus bergamot is the 2nd best supp for lipid control, if it wasn't so expensive I'd run it year round. If you need more stuff for lipid control, look into red yeast rice extract, I lowered my cholesterol while hopping on cycle using it.
I'd use DIM for minor corrections in estradio levels and probably not run it all the time.
I'd also test my vitamin d3 levels and adjust dosing based off that. Too much d3 can cause problems, so I'd do as Jordan Peters (look him up, the biggest british mass monster) and aim to be at the top of reference range.

 

[LarrytheLobster]

Yes, I have found the same thing myself, how drastically nicotine influences blood pressure. Stopping nicotine is not just a health decision, it's also a financial decision, since now I spend less on snuss and less on blood pressure meds. It's also worth noting nicotine quite heavily decreases HDL and also worsens insulin sensitivity.

I use 6 mg nicotine pouches (Zyn, etc.). I knew they affected blood pressure, but I didn’t realize they also impacted insulin sensitivity and had a negative effect on HDL. I’m afraid I’ll probably have to at least cut down, if not stop altogether, which is going to be tough.

I don’t have much to add on the IPF politics, you’ve summed up the core of the problem very well here.

Any specific reason for going SubQ instead of IM?

Mainly for convenience for micro-dosing on a daily schedule and reducing scar tissue build-up. It also slightly prolongs the ester release.

 

[dr. Doping]

Any specific reason for going SubQ instead of IM?

It prolongs how long the drug releases from the injection depot, which the provides more stable blood levels. Personally, I think this is a bit excessive when pinning everyday with a medium ester. Also it can cause some lumps under the skin which can look weird and the injection volume is quite low. I'd use it on cruise in winter months, if at all.

 

[LarrytheLobster]

As far as supps go, fish oil is overhyped IMO, I never saw much difference on bloodwork.
Citrus bergamot is the 2nd best supp for lipid control, if it wasn't so expensive I'd run it year round. If you need more stuff for lipid control, look into red yeast rice extract, I lowered my cholesterol while hopping on cycle using it.
I'd use DIM for minor corrections in estradio levels and probably not run it all the time.
I'd also test my vitamin d3 levels and adjust dosing based off that. Too much d3 can cause problems, so I'd do as Jordan Peters (look him up, the biggest british mass monster) and aim to be at the top of reference range.

Jordan Peters....... Did you seen his INSANE back on that deficit deadlift video ? Alright, i'm sat down, taking notes.
I'll let you know if the Subq administration and how it goes.

 

[dr. Doping]

Jordan Peters....... Did you seen his INSANE back on that deficit deadlift video ? Alright, i'm sat down, taking notes.

Yeah, he's insane. I base a lot of my training/programming off of him. I think he is the only modern bodybuilder who can say he trains, not works out

 

[LarrytheLobster]

And guys, regarding the side effects of anastrozole use, especially its impact on lipid levels — do we know if these are caused by the compound itself, or rather by low estradiol levels?

 

[SalvatoreCorvus]

And guys, regarding the side effects of anastrozole use, especially its impact on lipid levels — do we know if these are caused by the compound itself, or rather by low estradiol levels?

Mostly related to the compound.

Exemestan is better and less hard for lipids

 

[LarrytheLobster]

Mostly related to the compound.

Exemestan is better and less hard for lipids

Alright, so i really need to work for improving my lipid profile beforehand then. And implement 4 times/week 120-140 bpm half hours sessions and maybe some HIIT-type short sessions too in between as weel.

 

[dr. Doping]

Alright, so i really need to work for improving my lipid profile beforehand then

Lipids are my limiting factor so I had to figure out what helps. In no particular order:
Statins (or red yeast rice extract, which has a naturally occuring statin monacolin K - they prevent the synthesys of cholesterol in your body and raise HDL to an extent)
Ezetimibe (probs the best medication beacause of nonexistent side effect profile, if you have a source for it - blocks uptake of cholesterol in the intestine)
Low fat diets (the leaner the meat, the better)
Citrus bergamot (apparently flavonoids work quite synergystically with statins)
Coenzyme Q10 (atleast 100mg per day from what I've heard)
Removing nicotine
Cardio
Apparently retatrutide works on the lipids, altough I haven't researched this further

There are some other medications, usually used if statins/ezetimibe aren't tolerated and are quite hard to source.

 

[LarrytheLobster]

Lipids are my limiting factor so I had to figure out what helps. In no particular order:
Statins (or red yeast rice extract, which has a naturally occuring statin monacolin K - they prevent the synthesys of cholesterol in your body and raise HDL to an extent)
Ezetimibe (probs the best medication beacause of nonexistent side effect profile, if you have a source for it - blocks uptake of cholesterol in the intestine)
Low fat diets (the leaner the meat, the better)
Citrus bergamot (apparently flavonoids work quite synergystically with statins)
Coenzyme Q10 (atleast 100mg per day from what I've heard)
Removing nicotine
Cardio
Apparently retatrutide works on the lipids, altough I haven't researched this further

There are some other medications, usually used if statins/ezetimibe aren't tolerated and are quite hard to source.

Plenty of information and options here, thank you very much ! I will monitering it closely as weel.