Q and A with Seth Roberts (Author of ANABOLIC PHARMACOLOGY)

[Seth Roberts]

Hi Seth,

I know this may seem like a very basic question that I should already know but.. I'm want to to start my first cycle. And I'm wondering whats my best route. Every armchair Mr. O has an opinion but I would rather get the right information the first time. I'm 38 and having been lifting many years but only supplemented so far with creatine and NO's along with Protein and bca's I was thinking 8 wks on 250m Test cep with 40m nova. Then 4 wks off with 20m nova Would this be right?
Any of your advice would be greatly appreciated.

I think you probably need to do some research. 250 mg of test will be anabolic -- especially at your age but the effects are not going to be very noticeable -- you would be lucky to gain about 6 pounds of weight and keep half. You need to think about what your goals are at your age. To look a little better and feel a little better? then you might want to get some tests done and see if you qualify for HRT.

[Seth Roberts]

Seth,
Was wondering the long term repercussions of running 500mgs a week of Test E indefinitely. Namely if one was to run a cycle of Test E @ 750mgs a week, Eq @ 600mgs a week for 14 weeks, then opt for coasting @ 500mgs a week of Test E in place of PCT at the tender age of 25 what would be some of the draw backs. Labs done routinely show no meaningful deviations, and sides are for the most part non-existent.

Nobody will be able to tell you for sure what the long term consequences are going to be. Androgens do alter blood lipids and over long periods of time, this can have an adverse effect on the cardiovascular system. Androgens also directly effect the heart which can contribute to the deleterious effects of altered blood lipids. The kidneys are a target organ of andrognes and prolonged use can reduce kidney function. Studies have shown reduced lifespan in rodents when given androgens for very long periods of time. Some of the mechanisms of androgen action (such as stimulation of IGF-1) are known to be in opposition to the "longevity" pathways being explored to extend human life.

What does this all mean? Steroids are not innocuous. Yes, when used properly, they are relatively benign. But, they are still drugs and should be respected as such.

[Phat-Muscle]

I think you probably need to do some research. 250 mg of test will be anabolic -- especially at your age but the effects are not going to be very noticeable -- you would be lucky to gain about 6 pounds of weight and keep half. You need to think about what your goals are at your age. To look a little better and feel a little better? then you might want to get some tests done and see if you qualify for HRT.

Of course the goal is to put on quality muscle of 15 to 20 pounds ( weighing in Lean around 195 /200) What would you suggest as a cycle and pct?

Thanks for all the help

[Seth Roberts]

Of course the goal is to put on quality muscle of 15 to 20 pounds ( weighing in Lean around 195 /200) What would you suggest as a cycle and pct?

Thanks for all the help

15 to 20 pounds of lean tissue (not water weight) will take you at least 15 to 20 weeks and may need two cycles. Also you would probably need quite a bit more than the 250 mg per week that you are suggesting. I am not in the habit of just throwing cycles out though. Also, your diet and training should be optimized before starting a cycle.

[Phat-Muscle]

15 to 20 pounds of lean tissue (not water weight) will take you at least 15 to 20 weeks and may need two cycles. Also you would probably need quite a bit more than the 250 mg per week that you are suggesting. I am not in the habit of just throwing cycles out though. Also, your diet and training should be optimized before starting a cycle.

You rock Seth, I've been working with my training and diet to prep for this. Working 3 to 4 sets with a pump set on the last, Alternating my carbs with high protein. I feel good about how things are going but want to take it to the next level which sounds like two cycles at 500m. I know it's hard to recommend specific cycles but maybe you can Just scream NOOO! if this is wrong. You've been a big help already. Glad this forum allows us access to your advice.

[Seth Roberts]

You rock Seth, I've been working with my training and diet to prep for this. Working 3 to 4 sets with a pump set on the last, Alternating my carbs with high protein. I feel good about how things are going but want to take it to the next level which sounds like two cycles at 500m. I know it's hard to recommend specific cycles but maybe you can Just scream NOOO! if this is wrong. You've been a big help already. Glad this forum allows us access to your advice.

500 mg is generally a good starting dose and for most does not produce too much in the way of side effects. That said, you should be prepared for potential side effects and have an anti estrogen on hand or use one throughout your cycls and of course have your PCT planned out.

[Phat-Muscle]

500 mg is generally a good starting dose and for most does not produce too much in the way of side effects. That said, you should be prepared for potential side effects and have an anti estrogen on hand or use one throughout your cycls and of course have your PCT planned out.

Cool. Thanks for the advice. LAST 2 Question I swear.. is 40m of anti estrogen enough? What would be a good PCT?

[shred81]

Hi Seth, I am a 24 year old male who has been training for 4 years and has made great natural gains. I am 6' and weigh 202 with a six pack. That might not sound like much but I have gained alot. I am ready to do my first cycle of AAS and have researched to subject a ton, in order to keep risks to a minimal. I am very concerned with the potential hairloss that AAS can bring. William LLewllyn in his Anabolics 9th edition book, lists Primobolan, Deca and Anavar as the 3 safest drugs on the hairline. I should also say that I am not looking to become a mass monster on cycle and am just interested in adding a moderate amount of size. I am not looking for huge gains on this cycle. I say this because many people who want maximum size and strength seem to turn to testosterone. I would rather stay dry and free of the estrogenic sides, test bring. Now that I have given you this info, I was hoping you could tell me what my best course of action is and how I could incorporate hair safe drugs, into a cycle. Thanks so much in advance.

[Seth Roberts]

Cool. Thanks for the advice. LAST 2 Question I swear.. is 40m of anti estrogen enough? What would be a good PCT?

That is not an easy question. I outline an apprach in my book. I generally do not go above 40 mg of nolvadex and 100 mg clomid but people respond differently. If you were going to do 500 mg of test cyp per week with a taper down, you might not need more than 40 mg of nolva for a week or two with a drop down to 20 mg for a week or two.

[Seth Roberts]

Hi Seth, I am a 24 year old male who has been training for 4 years and has made great natural gains. I am 6' and weigh 202 with a six pack. That might not sound like much but I have gained alot. I am ready to do my first cycle of AAS and have researched to subject a ton, in order to keep risks to a minimal. I am very concerned with the potential hairloss that AAS can bring. William LLewllyn in his Anabolics 9th edition book, lists Primobolan, Deca and Anavar as the 3 safest drugs on the hairline. I should also say that I am not looking to become a mass monster on cycle and am just interested in adding a moderate amount of size. I am not looking for huge gains on this cycle. I say this because many people who want maximum size and strength seem to turn to testosterone. I would rather stay dry and free of the estrogenic sides, test bring. Now that I have given you this info, I was hoping you could tell me what my best course of action is and how I could incorporate hair safe drugs, into a cycle. Thanks so much in advance.

All AAS havd the potential to accelerate hair loss with the exception of nandrolone (and other norsteroids). There is a trade off of course. nandrolone converts to less potent 5-alpha reduced derivatives which will protect the hairline (and the prostate) but also tends to result in reduced libido and gynecomastia. To combat these effects, most people add test but then this will counteract what you are looking for. Some people will add finaseride to test, either oral or topical, since this will help protect against hair loss but can also have negative effects on libid and the breast -- topical less so. Anavar and primo may have less of an effect on the hairline but as androgens, they still have an effect. All of this sums up to the fact that you may need to sacrifice some hair or some libido if you plan to cycle. A deca only cyle will probably not result in any hair loss and if you use lower doses it may not totally kill your libido.

[Mfalcon]

Hey Seth, I 19 and i figure by the time i`ll be ready to start a cycle i`ll be in my late 20s (late 20s as in 20years and 8months old not 29years), What do you suggest the very first cycle should contain? I do not care for hair (yes it rhymes). My goal is bodybuilding, the more mass the merrier but since i`m 6ft 4" i`m going to have to be around much longer then anyone else if i want to ever achieve that freakish size (not that a 6ft 4" guy will ever reach that point) so organ health is just a tad bit more important for me, as i said, for me everything is in the long run

[Brutal Master]

seth...what is safer and better for my overall health, considering my age and test level.

125-200mg a week for life of test cyp/ and some HCG (i have low test and im 26, my total test was 358)

or-

6-8 week cycles of prop only and proper pct after each cycle, throughtout the year? (say 4-5 cycles a year). dose of prop not exceeding 500mg a week.

[shred81]

All AAS havd the potential to accelerate hair loss with the exception of nandrolone (and other norsteroids). There is a trade off of course. nandrolone converts to less potent 5-alpha reduced derivatives which will protect the hairline (and the prostate) but also tends to result in reduced libido and gynecomastia. To combat these effects, most people add test but then this will counteract what you are looking for. Some people will add finaseride to test, either oral or topical, since this will help protect against hair loss but can also have negative effects on libid and the breast -- topical less so. Anavar and primo may have less of an effect on the hairline but as androgens, they still have an effect. All of this sums up to the fact that you may need to sacrifice some hair or some libido if you plan to cycle. A deca only cyle will probably not result in any hair loss and if you use lower doses it may not totally kill your libido.

Thanks for taking the time to answer my question so thoroughly, I sincerely appreciate it. I may just do a cycle of test and EQ along wit finasteride and Arimidex. I will use hcg during the cycle with clomid and nolvadex for pct. I really hope I dont loose hair. Let me know if anything I just typed seems out of place. Thanks so much for the help.

[Gabri]

Hey Seth, there is a paper about myostatin that shows that after 8 weeks on testoterone, myostatin levels rise significantly and when they've stopped the test, myostatin levels go back to normal. What do you think about it and about cortisol/estrogens negatives reactions after a long time of exposure to androgens? It is not an issue with receptors right? I hope to be clear......

[bill2]

mr seth..i have managed to get 14 ampules of test prop(100mg) and 18 ampules of test enathanate(250 mg) and i would like to use them for my first time mass cycle..but im confused as to how i can properly structure my cycle because of the diference of the esters and their half lifes..originaly i wanted to use 500 mg of test enat weekly for 7 weeks with 500 mg of test cypio for another 7 weeks.. but due a mistake i got the test prop instead the test cypio..what can i do to have the best reasult? thanks for your time

[FLdude883]

Seth, I have read numerous forums about anadrol at 50-100mg a day, well if it's the "strongest" steroid out there, why wouldn't people be ok with just taking like say 15-25mg a day, being that it's suggested to take about 25-50mg of anavar a day, sometimes less, now wouldn't it be the other way around? Is there a mg-mg difference, I'm very confused about this. Also, I have some injectable anadrol on hand, for cutting purposes stacked with test, would 12.5mg of the injectable suffice just to maintain muscle while on a low calorie diet and perhabs even build a pound or 3?

[Seth Roberts]

Hey Seth, I 19 and i figure by the time i`ll be ready to start a cycle i`ll be in my late 20s (late 20s as in 20years and 8months old not 29years), What do you suggest the very first cycle should contain? I do not care for hair (yes it rhymes). My goal is bodybuilding, the more mass the merrier but since i`m 6ft 4" i`m going to have to be around much longer then anyone else if i want to ever achieve that freakish size (not that a 6ft 4" guy will ever reach that point) so organ health is just a tad bit more important for me, as i said, for me everything is in the long run

If you do decide to cycle, most people go with test as their first cycle since it is the body's natural androgen and the side effects are usually low (with moderate doses) and manageable and the gains decent.