My PCT Protocol

[SWALE]

Since I've been hanging out here a bit lately, I've been getting quite a few emails from guys wanting individualized advice on their cycles. In the first place, I cannot design cycles, nor do I prescribe steroids (just ancillary medications). That would be a violation of my Oath as a physician, and DEA law to boot. Also, obviously I cannot afford to give away free Consultations. So, I'll post my PCT Protocols here, for anyone who may choose to use them.

Also, I'm just running to catch a plane for Las Vegas, attending the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine International Conference. I guess they are supposed to publish an article I wrote on how to administer TRT for men. Wish me luck!

Here it is:

I advise my AAS patients to use small amounts of HCG (250IU to 500IU) two days each week, right from the beginning of the cycle. This serves to maintain testicular form and function. It makes more sense to me to keep the horse in the barn, so to speak, then to have to chase it across three counties later on. I am also a big fan of maintaining estrogen within physiological ranges. Both therapies have been shown to hasten recovery.

Any more than 500IU of HCG per day causes too much aromatase activity. Some feel aromatase is actually toxic to the Leydig cells of the testes. You are then inducing primary hypogonadism (which is permanent) while treating steroid-induced secondary (hypogonadotrophic) hypogonadism (which is temporary--hopefully).

If 250IU or 500IU on two days each week isn’t enough to stave off testicular atrophy, then I recommend using it more days each week (as opposed to taking larger doses). In fact, I wouldn’t mind having a guy use 250IU per day ALL THROUGH the cycle. Those that have tell me they thus avoid that edgy, burned-out feeling they usually get. They also say they simply feel better each day. Subjective reports, to be sure, but they are hard not to appreciate. Especially when HCG is so inexpensive.

The testes are then ready, willing and able to again produce testosterone at the end of the cycle. LH levels rise fairly rapidly, but endogenous testosterone production is limited by lack of use. I also want to make sure a SERM, such as Clomid or Nolvadex, is at effective serum dosage (around 100mg QD for Clomid, 20-40mg QD for Nolvadex) when serum androgen levels drop to a concentration roughly equal to 200mg of testosterone per week. That is when androgenic inhibition at the HP no longer dominates over estrogenic antagonism with respect to inducing LH production. Of course, if the fellow has been doing Clomid or Nolvadex all along the way (and I now prefer Nolvadex over Clomid, due to the possibility of negative sides from the Clomid), he is all set to simply continue it at the end (no need to switch from one to the other). BTW, I see no evidence of any benefit in using BOTH SERM’s at the same time. I used to think a couple of weeks of the SERM was enough; now I like to see an entire month after the last shot of AAS (and migration of long to short esters as the cycle matures). Tapering the SERM is probably a good idea during the last week, as well.

I want my patients to stop taking HCG within a week after the end of the cycle. The testosterone production it induces will further inhibit recovery, as will using Androgel, or any other testosterone preparation, while in recovery. There is no escaping this, as there is no such thing as a “bridge”. Just because you are not inhibiting the HPTA for the entire 24 hours does not mean you are not suppressing it at all. IOW, you can’t “fool” the body—it is smarter than you are.

I like Arimidex during the cycle (in fact, consider use of an AI while taking aromatisables a necessity) but it ABSOLUTELY should not be used post cycle (even though it has been shown to increase LH production) because the risk of driving estrogen too low, and therefore further damaging an already compromised Lipid Profile, is too great (this also drives libido back into the ground—and we don’t want that, do we?).

All this is meant to get my guys through recovery as fast as possible (the real goal, yes?). So far, all of them who have tried it have reported they are recovering faster than when they have tried other protocols.

[Nelson Montana]

Good post and I agree -- especially with the procedure of smaller daily dosages of HCG as opposed to the recommened 2500 twice a week.

Points of contention:

At this point, Clomid is almost a non issue. A truly inferior drug with terrible side effects.

Nolva has little value other than preventing gyno. It will not restore HPTA. If you don't have any chance of getting gyno, why use Nolva? It's like using sunscreen in a snow storm.

A-dex is by far, the superior anti-e. yes, it is overused and lower e too much which is why it comes down to the dose. . 1/4 mgs every 3 days will work very well in most cases.

Proviron can help eleviate libido crash and prevent excess armotization that may occur once the cycle has ended.

Using herbals and nutrecueticals such as Protein Factory's "Post-Cycle" can help with liver values, estrogen managment, libido and erectile function. It's a "no-brainer."

NOTHING will get you back to normal AND KEEP YOU THERE, except time. Everything can only cushion the crash. Any drug will only, to an extent, delay the inevitable. Only natural therapy can help quicken the adjustment.

[BiggieSwolls]

Man, great post.

You all dont know how lucky you are having a Doctor like SWALE post here. I am the first one to say that I feel lucky having him post on the board.

[Mr. dB]

This needs to be a sticky, if it isn't already.

[DADAWG]

swale is the man

[TESTinME]

Can't put a price on this info.

[pipes]

Thanks for the insight.

[LAWNSAVER]

Nelson cant help himself?? LOL

[moldytwig]

so is Nolva good alone for post cycle?
i can not get HCG and I hate using clomid.
are you saying start nolva just after last shot?
i thought it was reommended to start PCT three weeks after last (deca) shot.

thanks.

[sh4dowf4lcon]

Thanks for posting Swale

[JoBu]

Good shit!

[sam579]

Should the HCG be spread like 250 mg on monday and friday or two days in a row like wensday and thursday? or doesn't this matter at all?

thanks

[LAWNSAVER]

Originally posted by sam579
Should the HCG be spread like 250 mg on monday and friday or two days in a row like wensday and thursday? or doesn't this matter at all?

thanks

I like 3-500ius every 4-5 days. Some like 500ius Sat and Sun...

You need to feel it out. If you notice any atrophy, up the dose a little or up the frequency.

[invisiblewounds]

Stupid question...What does "QD" mean?

[OMEGA]

! good stuff

[LAWNSAVER]

Originally posted by invisiblewounds
Stupid question...What does "QD" mean?

QD= every day.

ED= erectile dysfunction

We use use ED for everyday here, but a doctor will use QD for every day

[invisiblewounds]

Thanks LawnSaver!

[cromulius]

And HCG is?

[simpllyhuge]

how much hcg should some one have on hand to run it swales way.

[jcp2]

I missed this since it was posted when i was away, great post bro, HCG is one of those things where the method of administration varies greatly, mostly becuase no one has a clue. I know i really didn't. Swale is definately an asset to any board.