Beginner Mistakes in Health Management

[The Mentor]

Common Beginner Mistakes in Managing Health During a First AAS Cycle​

One of the biggest problems with a so-called “light first cycle” is that athletes often underestimate how complex their own physiology actually is. A first cycle is not just about muscle growth — it is a stress test for the entire endocrine, cardiovascular, and hepatic systems.

Below are the most common and most damaging mistakes beginners make.

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1. No Blood Work Before the First “Light” Cycle​

The most common scenario:
testosterone + oxandrolone (or another anabolic, sometimes injectable) — and zero lab testing beforehand.

As a result, the athlete has no idea about their baseline physiology, including possible pre-existing issues such as:

• elevated ALT / AST
• Gilbert’s syndrome (chronically elevated bilirubin)
• lipid profile abnormalities:
  • chronically elevated LDL (significant vascular risk on cycle)
• high baseline aromatization (elevated estradiol)
• stress-reactive pituitary function (elevated prolactin)

When these markers are not monitored, any existing imbalance almost always worsens during the cycle, which can lead to:

• serious cardiovascular and vascular risks
• liver stress or injury
• poor subjective well-being, often driven by elevated estradiol and prolactin

In other words, the cycle doesn’t create the problem — it amplifies what was already there.

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2. Unrealistically High Expectations From a “Light” Cycle​

Another major health-relevant mistake is expecting too much from a mild first cycle.

A very typical expectation looks like this:

• 250 mg testosterone enanthate per week
• • 20 mg oxandrolone
    (or 20 mg RAD-140)

Many beginners expect dramatic, almost transformational results — which is not realistic.

What usually happens next:

• the athlete becomes disappointed and abandons AAS completely, never reaching their desired physique
  or
• they panic and start increasing dosages mid-cycle or extend the cycle irresponsibly

A classic example:

• Planned:
  • 250 mg testosterone enanthate
  • 20 mg oxandrolone
  • 12 weeks
• After 8–10 weeks with “not enough progress”:
  • testosterone increased to 500 mg
  • oxandrolone increased to 40 mg
  • nandrolone decanoate added at 250 mg
  • cycle extended by another 10 weeks

The result:
significantly more health damage compared to the original plan — with no proportional benefit.

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3. Ignoring Supplements and Supportive Medication on the First Cycle​

This group often overlaps with the first mistake: athletes who don’t run labs usually also don’t run any support.

Consequences commonly include:

• chronic muscle cramps due to magnesium deficiency
• sleep deterioration from lack of calming agents such as:
  • niacinamide
  • taurine
  • ashwagandha
  • lion’s mane
• worsening blood rheology due to:
  • no statins (when indicated)
  • no citrus bergamot
• rising blood pressure due to:
  • no sartans
  • no taurine
  • no magnesium

Supportive therapy is not “optional” — it is part of responsible pharmacology.

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4. Skipping PCT After the First Cycle​

Last, but absolutely not least:
no post-cycle therapy (PCT).

This is especially common among younger athletes who believe:

“Everything will recover on its own.”

Yes — recovery can happen spontaneously.
But realistically, it often takes 3–4 months, and during that time:

• testosterone is low
• mood is poor
• libido is unstable
• training quality collapses

Without hormonal support, post-cycle well-being is often miserable.

PCT is essential for:

• preserving muscle mass
• maintaining acceptable quality of life
• keeping a functional training schedule

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Final Note​

Do not neglect your health from the very beginning of your journey on the “dark side.”

The problems you accumulate early on do not disappear —
they tend to follow you for the rest of your life.

Being conservative, informed, and medically disciplined on your first cycle is not weakness.
It’s long-term survival.