njmuscleguy said:Is this just for Ross to answer or can anyone else chime in?
GUARDIAN said:Go for it. I was about to do the same thing myself. My keyboard was itching...lol.
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JNEF said:lol its for everybody - i asked him in a pm and he wanted me to title it that and post it so he could answer on the forum.![]()
digitizedsoul said:I'm not ross, but I will express my humble attempt at an educated answer:
All those compounds are suppressive. So in essence you shut down natural test production, and don't supplement with outside sources of it during that time.
It's like your boss firing you, but saying "its ok bro, i'll give you 5000$ a week untill I hire you back"
Now by using compounds that are suppresive, without the test, its like your boss firing you but not offering to give you ANYTHING. So you get kicked out, no "normal" income, and it isn't replaced with anything else.
Again this is simply my humble attempt at a response![]()
JNEF said:hey ross...whay is it so important to run test in every cycle? aside from ed being the obvious.
If one was to run something along the lines of mast/tren/halo what would be the downfall?
so would running just 200mgs week keep my body "regular" while say running 100mg para/100mg mast ednjmuscleguy said:well, this is my take on it....practically every AAS compound one could run is going to shut down natural test, so it's important to at LEAST supply exogenously the amount of test the body would be making naturally. Something like tren or masteron is not a substitute for what test can do. Of course, most people run much higher dosages of test than the body "needs", simply for it's anabolic/androgenic benefits.
Test has a host of other benefits besides ensuring against ED... if you were deficient in natural test, then you'd know what I'm talking about (lethargy, lack of focus, lipids would be off, overall health and sense of well-being would decrease).
JNEF said:so would running just 200mgs week keep my body "regular" while say running 100mg para/100mg mast ed
njmuscleguy said:ABSOLUTELY! In fact, HRT (hormone replacement therapy) dosage of test in most cases is 100-150mg per week. So if you're taking 150-200mg, then you're definitely ensuring that you're supplying what your body would be making naturally (that is, if you're healthy and have no hormonal deficiencies).
Over the years, dosages of *all* AAS have drastically increased... people think that you need alot more in order to get any kind of results. Simply not true. You can still get great results at lower, more modest dosages provided your training and diet are in check.
Great question, let's adress the "Testosterone Myth".JNEF said:hey ross...whay is it so important to run test in every cycle? aside from ed being the obvious.
If one was to run something along the lines of mast/tren/halo what would be the downfall?
JNEF said:thanks for the answer![]()
so heres my next question. why is always said "run test higher then the other aas" if 200 will keep me "normal" why bother bumping it above the other aas?
Ross said:Great question, let's adress the "Testosterone Myth".
Testosterone is frequently used as the BASE of all steroid cycles, providing an equal amount of anabolic and androgenic support throughout the duration of the cycle. Testosterone does not have to be the base of every cycle, but it SHOULD be the base of almost every cycle, and for several very important reasons:
First of all, Testosterone maintains a good mood, a strong libido, and healthy levels of energy. Failure to utilize Testosterone will result in a decreased libido, level of energy and quality of mood. This is because the body has ceased all(or most) endogenous(natural) testosterone production, as the HPTA is inhibited.
Secondly, Testosterone is SYNERGISTIC. Adding even a MINIMAL dosage of Testosterone to ANY cycle will completely enhance the effects. For most cycles, adding Testosterone is a no-brainer.
However, one can still run a very successful cycle without Testosterone, by simply using Proviron or Masteron as an androgenic replacement. Proviron and Masteron will both counteract the side-effects associated with low testosterone levels, by adding a distinct and powerful androgenic component to your cycle. For example, one could run Trenbolone/Masteron/Proviron or Deca/Dianabol/Proviron and still maintain a healthy libido without Testosterone.
Here are some NON-Test cycles:
BULKING
Weeks 1-6: Dianabol, 40mgs ED
Weeks 1-8: Proviron, 50mgs
Weeks 1-8: Tren A, 100mgs EOD
Weeks 1-6: Dianabol, 40mgs ED
Weeks 1-10: Deca, 400mgs
Weeks 1-10: Proviron, 50mgs ED
Weeks 8-14: Winstrol, 50mgs ED
CUTTING
Weeks 1-8: Masteron, 100mgs EOD
Weeks 1-8: Anavar, 40mgs ED
Weeks 1-8: Winstrol Inject, 50mgs EOD
Weeks 1-10: Primobolan
Weeks 1-10: Proviron, 50mgs ED
Weeks 1-10: Turinabol, 50mgs ED
JNEF said:thanks for the answer![]()
so heres my next question. why is always said "run test higher then the other aas" if 200 will keep me "normal" why bother bumping it above the other aas?
njmuscleguy said:Well, *they* say that because the theory is the higher dosage of test will compensate for the side effects caused by the accompanying compound... deca is a classic case... deca causes libido issues, so people recommend running a higher dosage of test than deca to deal with the "deca dick" issue... I can't really prove or disprove if it's absolutely necessary to do this (run higher test)... some might need it, others might not
JNEF said:gotcha so that goes back to the ed issue
couldnt that also be combated with keeping normal test doses and throwing in cabaser/dostinex which would also help keep the prolactin levels in reason
JNEF said:the bros here on ef f***in rock, i do my research but still have questions at the end of the day - you guys always answer em without being dicks. just wanted to say thanks
Ross said:By the way, Masteron/Trenbolone/Halotestin is a SICKKKKK cutting cycle!!
JNEF said:have you run it ross? what did it do for you?
JNEF said:have you run it ross? what did it do for you?
JNEF said:btw when do you recomend taking the halo.. with the am inject ( i would run ed injects) however i workout around 5 or so. split the dose up maybe? id be running 40mg ed
so you felt no downsides with not running test in that cycle...ie no lethargy or bad moodRoss said:Masteron/Halo/Primo is what I run because I do not use Trenbolone, but adding Trenbolone in your case would produce UNBELIEVABLE results!
Insane vascularity, hardness, definition and striations--you will look and FEEL like a piece of STEEL!
JNEF said:so you felt no downsides with not running test in that cycle...ie no lethargy or bad mood
Nelson Montana said:Well, I don't think test is necessary for a beginner. A first timer can make good gains with something mildly suppressive like Primo. Adding test will just make recovery harder.
Tatyana said:Someone explain this to me.
According to Bill Llewellyn, all steroids are based off one of three compounds, test, DHT and think it is pregnalone.
They are all derived from cholesterol and share the same five ring structure with just variable double bonds and side chains.
When you look at pics of the various steroids, they all follow the same pattern.
This is so they will fit into the androgen/testosterone receptor.
No binding with the receptor (and this sort of works like a lock and key principle), no 'switching' on of the DNA protein making machine.
Cause that is what hormones do, they are 'chemical messengers' to tell the cells to do things. THEY don't actually produce the result directly.
So if a steroid has to bind to a receptor to work, it has to be similar to test, so how can adding test make any difference?
They are still stimulating the same receptor (well there are two isoforms).
The structure only changes the pharmocodynamics, which is REALLY complicated and I would have to read more to refresh my really basic knowlege on it.
Tatyana said:Someone explain this to me.
According to Bill Llewellyn, all steroids are based off one of three compounds, test, DHT and think it is pregnalone.
They are all derived from cholesterol and share the same five ring structure with just variable double bonds and side chains.
When you look at pics of the various steroids, they all follow the same pattern.
This is so they will fit into the androgen/testosterone receptor.
No binding with the receptor (and this sort of works like a lock and key principle), no 'switching' on of the DNA protein making machine.
Cause that is what hormones do, they are 'chemical messengers' to tell the cells to do things. THEY don't actually produce the result directly.
So if a steroid has to bind to a receptor to work, it has to be similar to test, so how can adding test make any difference?
They are still stimulating the same receptor (well there are two isoforms).
The structure only changes the pharmocodynamics, which is REALLY complicated and I would have to read more to refresh my really basic knowlege on it.
Tatyana said:This is so they will fit into the androgen/testosterone receptor.
No binding with the receptor (and this sort of works like a lock and key principle), no 'switching' on of the DNA protein making machine.
So if a steroid has to bind to a receptor to work, it has to be similar to test, so how can adding test make any difference?
Nelson Montana said:True , all steroids are based on the T molecule, but some impart more than others and since any exogenous T is suppressive, some wind up lowering T instead of elevating it. (Technically, this is a different pathway with nandrolones, but that's another story). All steroids also increase nitrogen, which is essentially what grows muscle and what makes Primo so coveted. It does so with less androgenic influx. The problem is, as you inferred, it's still going to suppressive, albeit slightly. So some people will add test to "kick it up."
Meanwhile, the increased androgen from something as basic as test increases strength and water retention which leads to increased muscle size -- IF -- the person makes the most of it. I'd say 90% of the people who like test do so because it works fast, increases strength, mood and libido, swells you up with water and gives the impression of "gains." And it's cheap. But a drug like Primobolan will be more subtle yet increase actual muscle tissue to a greater degree. (Remember, a pound of muscle tissue is quite a bit but will not change appearance as much as 10 pounds of water and increased blood volume).
Having said all that, I think the differences in steroids is sometimes overanalyzed. They all do the same thing. Some do it a little more effectively and a little less harshly than others, depending on your preference.
AR-binding is only one pathway for anabolism, some steroids(such as Dianabol) barely bind to the A-R at all and yet are still extremely anabolic.Tatyana said:Someone explain this to me.
According to Bill Llewellyn, all steroids are based off one of three compounds, test, DHT and think it is pregnalone.
They are all derived from cholesterol and share the same five ring structure with just variable double bonds and side chains.
When you look at pics of the various steroids, they all follow the same pattern.
This is so they will fit into the androgen/testosterone receptor.
No binding with the receptor (and this sort of works like a lock and key principle), no 'switching' on of the DNA protein making machine.
Cause that is what hormones do, they are 'chemical messengers' to tell the cells to do things. THEY don't actually produce the result directly.
So if a steroid has to bind to a receptor to work, it has to be similar to test, so how can adding test make any difference?
They are still stimulating the same receptor (well there are two isoforms).
The structure only changes the pharmocodynamics, which is REALLY complicated and I would have to read more to refresh my really basic knowlege on it.
JNEF said:thanks for the response - now curious to what the negs would be with not running it. what will a lack of test do?
Harleymarleybone said:I am not convinced you need test in every cycle. The fact that any steroid suppresses test, does not mean you need to replace it with test, since the steroid you are taking, including the ones you mentioned may be structurally and functionally similar enough to test to do everything that test does, including keeping Mr. Willy happy.
Harleymarleybone said:I am not convinced you need test in every cycle. The fact that any steroid suppresses test, does not mean you need to replace it with test, since the steroid you are taking, including the ones you mentioned may be structurally and functionally similar enough to test to do everything that test does, including keeping Mr. Willy happy.
njmuscleguy said:what other AAS are you suggesting that is "structurally and functionally similar enough to test" that you wouldn't need TEST? if you say DHT-derivitatves such as proviron and masteron, which are more androgenic than test (but not quite as anabolic), well who bases their cycles on just proviron or masteron?
plus, try telling anyone who suffers from deca-dick or tren-dick that they don't need test.... the response won't be pretty!
njmuscleguy said:ABSOLUTELY! In fact, HRT (hormone replacement therapy) dosage of test in most cases is 100-150mg per week. So if you're taking 150-200mg, then you're definitely ensuring that you're supplying what your body would be making naturally (that is, if you're healthy and have no hormonal deficiencies).
Over the years, dosages of *all* AAS have drastically increased... people think that you need alot more in order to get any kind of results. Simply not true. You can still get great results at lower, more modest dosages provided your training and diet are in check.
JNEF said:just throwing this out there...
eq/primo/mast
wouldnt that be a cycle that could do without test?
njmuscleguy said:what other AAS are you suggesting that is "structurally and functionally similar enough to test" that you wouldn't need TEST? if you say DHT-derivitatves such as proviron and masteron, which are more androgenic than test (but not quite as anabolic), well who bases their cycles on just proviron or masteron?
plus, try telling anyone who suffers from deca-dick or tren-dick that they don't need test.... the response won't be pretty!
Ross said:AR-binding is only one pathway for anabolism, some steroids(such as Dianabol) barely bind to the A-R at all and yet are still extremely anabolic.
In terms of HPTA inhibition, each steroid has different binding affinity for the Androgen/Estrogen/Progesterone receptors. Steroids which ACTIVATE these receptors(bind) cause greater HPTA inhibition than those that do not.
Mavafanculo said:Tat;
once you start a cycle at high enough total levels, your body will cease producing its own test or cut back severely. some compounds are more suppressive than others, but at the doses an intermediate level BB would take you'll likely end up shut down.
I cant take it down to a molecule level, but going by my own experience and that of others that I've talked to or read about, you just never feel quite right without some Test cruising tru your system.
even supplying dht via masteron or proviron doesnt get it quite right mentally or physically. I've tried.
It might be the absence of metabolites that only reduce from test? might even be the small amount of estrogen that aromatized test will provide. dont know. there's alot the scientific community doesnt know about how and why drugs do all of what they do, and steroids are no exception.
absent any studies one way or the other, my opinion is just err on the side of safety and always add at least a replacement dose of test to a suppressive cycle (200-300 mg weekly). It doesnt need to be the base compound, just needs to be in there.
Tatyana said:Elaborate on the bits in bold please.
I am especially interested in the affinity of the different steroids for androgen (or other sex hormone receptors).
I did a wee bit of a search and couldn't find anything.
Ross said:This is textbook Endocrinology 101; The hypothalamus contains ANDROGEN, ESTROGEN, and PROGESTERONE receptors. Each anabolic steroid has different binding properties.
For example, Testosterone activates the Androgen and Estrogen receptors in the Hypothalamus and thus causes HPTA Shutdown. Trenbolone activates the Androgen and Progesterone receptors and thus causes HPTA shutdown. Primobolan and Anavar however, barely activate the Androgen receptors and have NO effect on estrogen or progesterone receptors and thus, DO NOT cause HPTA shutdown.
Ross said:This is textbook Endocrinology 101; The hypothalamus contains ANDROGEN, ESTROGEN, and PROGESTERONE receptors. Each anabolic steroid has different binding properties.
For example, Testosterone activates the Androgen and Estrogen receptors in the Hypothalamus and thus causes HPTA Shutdown. Trenbolone activates the Androgen and Progesterone receptors and thus causes HPTA shutdown. Primobolan and Anavar however, barely activate the Androgen receptors and have NO effect on estrogen or progesterone receptors and thus, DO NOT cause HPTA shutdown.
gjohnson5 said:I like those charts. They show the metabolism of hormones and the enzymes which cause the catalytic reaction to convert Hormone A to Hormone B. It's also good that it shows cholesterol being converted to pregnenolone and the multiple pathways in which hormones can be created from pregnenolone. I wish it listed the names of the metabolic pathways themselves.
*edit*
I may want to find one of those which start at the testes and shows testosterone being secreted from the testes after interaction with LH and FSH from the pituitary to diagram out HPTA
*edit*
Tatyana said:Elaborate on the bits in bold please.
I am especially interested in the affinity of the different steroids for androgen (or other sex hormone receptors).
I did a wee bit of a search and couldn't find anything.
Mavafanculo said:Thats a great question.
its one of those things that is included in every steroid profile on any site or book, and everyone takes for granted as an article of faith, but I havent seen (or noticed) the source for the assertions. (ie. "this steroid or that one has a strong binding affinity for this or that receptor")
soooo, who better to ask than one of our new COTB who has written many of the best steroid profiles avaiable to us. That would be Bill Llewellyn
Ross said:........As we can ALSO SEE, the steroids that DO NOT cause SHUTDOWN of the HPTA, do NOT oversaturate ANY of the different hormone receptors, and thus, do NOT cause SHUTDOWN. Methenolone(Primobolan) does not possess ANY Estrogenic or Progestational ACTIVITY WHATSOEVER. It does, by virtue of being an anabolic steroid, posses a SMALL Androgenic component. Because it lacks ANY ESTROGENIC/PROGESTATIONAL component, and it lacks a strong Androgenic component, it WILL NOT CAUSE SHUTDOWN!
Oxandrolone(Anavar) posseses NO Estrogenic/Progestational component either. AND, it also lacks a strong androgenic component. Thus, Anavar will NOT cause shutdown.
Mavafanculo said:Thats a great question.
its one of those things that is included in every steroid profile on any site or book, and everyone takes for granted as an article of faith, but I havent seen (or noticed) the source for the assertions. (ie. "this steroid or that one has a strong binding affinity for this or that receptor")
soooo, who better to ask than one of our new COTB who has written many of the best steroid profiles avaiable to us. That would be Bill Llewellyn
Mavafanculo said:you calling my nads liars? lol
Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 1997 Feb;46(2):209-16.
Effect of low dose oxandrolone and testosterone treatment on the pituitary-testicular and GH axes in boys with constitutional delay of growth and puberty.
Crowne EC, Wallace WH, Moore C, Mitchell R, Robertson WH, Holly JM, Shalet SM.
Department of Endocrinology, Christie Hospital Trust, Manchester, UK.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of low dose oxandrolone and testosterone on the pituitary-testicular and GH-IGF-I axes. DESIGN: Prospective double-blind placebo-controlled trial. PATIENTS: Sixteen boys with constitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDGP) with testicular volumes 4-6 ml were randomized to 3 months treatment: Group 1 (n = 5), daily placebo: Group 2 (n = 5), 2.5 mg oxandrolone daily or Group 3 (n = 6), 50 mg testosterone monthly intramuscular injections with assessment (growth, pubertal development and overnight hormone profiles) at 0, 3, 6 and 12 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: LH and GH profiles (15-minute samples) were analysed by peak detection (Pulsar), Fourier transformation and autocorrelation. Testosterone levels were measured hourly and insulin, SHBG, IGF-I, and IGFBP-3 levels at 0800 h. Statistical analysis was by multivariate analysis of variance for repeated measures. RESULTS: LH and testosterone parameters increased significantly with time in all 16 (LH AUC, P < 0.001; peak amplitude, P = 0.02; number of peaks, P = 0.02; testosterone AUC, P = 0.02; morning testosterone, P = 0.002). In Group 2, however, LH and testosterone parameters decreased at 3 months followed by a rebound increase at 6 and 12 months. SHBG levels were markedly reduced at 3 months (P = 0.006) and a wider range of dominant GH frequencies was present although GH AUC was not increased until 6 months, with an increase in GH pulse frequency but not amplitude. IGF-I levels were increased at both 3 and 12 months. In Group 3, pituitary-testicular suppression was not apparent, but GH levels increased with an increase in GH amplitude at 3 and 12 months. CONCLUSION: Oxandrolone transiently suppressed the pituitary-testicular axis and altered GH pulsatility. Testosterone increased GH via amplitude modulation.
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njmuscleguy said:what other AAS are you suggesting that is "structurally and functionally similar enough to test" that you wouldn't need TEST? if you say DHT-derivitatves such as proviron and masteron, which are more androgenic than test (but not quite as anabolic), well who bases their cycles on just proviron or masteron?
plus, try telling anyone who suffers from deca-dick or tren-dick that they don't need test.... the response won't be pretty!
Ross said:EXACLTY!! Oxandrolone does not SHUTDOWN the HPTA, it DOES reduce endogenous testosterone production, obviously.
TRENBOLONE and DECA will SHUTDOWN the HPTA, Oxandrolone and Primo will NOT.*
Mavafanculo said:other than that mrs lincoln how was the play?
if you're arguing a distinction between lowered LH , lowered endogenous test, pituitery suppression and hpta suppression you'll have to elaborate. If there is a distinction, its a distinction without a difference.
from the study (group 2 is the OX group):
In Group 2, however, LH and testosterone parameters decreased at 3 months
Ross said:![]()
We can see from the chart above that a simgle 100mg injection of Deca caused a total (100%) reduction of natural testosterone levels, and it took about a month to return those testosterone levels to baseline! All from 100mgs of Deca!
Ross said:Proviron and Masteron can be used INSTEAD OF TESTOSTERONE, as I have already stated.
The ANDROGENIC component possessed by these two compounds will increase MOOD, LIBIDO, and ENERGY.
Tatyana said:I did see one of those in my recent searches, I will see if I can find it again.
I have more elaborate description/diagrams of sex hormone synthesis, but they are in textbooks.
Mavafanculo said:this goes to deca being very suppressive - I agree.
but you asserted that var was NOT suppressive, and the study above shows that it is. that was my point - not relative suppressivity. I agree that deca does the deed faster and at lower doses.
Ross said:ALL steroids are suppressive(in high enough dosages), I never said Anavar was not suppressive, I said it would not oversaturate the Androgen and Estrogen receptors in the hypothalamus and would thus not cause complete HPTA shutdown, which IS a very important physiological distinction.
Ross said:There is not much data available, but I have composed a list based on the known properties of each anabolic steroid compound.
The Following drugs either DIRECTLY or INDIRECTLY activate ESTROGEN receptors, to varying degrees:
Testosterone
Methandrostenolone
Mathandriol
Oxymetholone
Nandrolone
Boldenone
The Following drugs either DIRECTLY or INDIRECTLY activate PROGESTERONE receptors, to varying degrees:
Nandrolone
Trenbolone
Oxymetholone
The Following drugs activate Androgen receptors, to varying degrees:
Testosterone
Methandrostenolone
Mathandriol
Oxymetholone
Nandrolone
Boldenone
Trenbolone
Halotestin
Oxandrolone
Stanzolol
Chlorodehydromethltestosterone
Methyltestosterone
Methenolone...
(ALL AAS*)
As we can see, the steroids that cause HPTA SHUTDOWN either OVERSATURATE ONE SPECIFIC receptor, or they activate too many TOTAL receptors(Androgen/Estrogen/Progesterone)
For instance, Trenbolone causes HPTA SHUTDOWN because it OVERSATURATES BOTH, the ANDROGEN and the PROGESTERONE receptors. Testosterone causes SHUTDOWN because it converts to ESTROGEN and DHT, therefore, it oversaturates the Androgen/Estrogen receptors.
As we can ALSO SEE, the steroids that DO NOT cause SHUTDOWN of the HPTA, do NOT oversaturate ANY of the different hormone receptors, and thus, do NOT cause SHUTDOWN. Methenolone(Primobolan) does not possess ANY Estrogenic or Progestational ACTIVITY WHATSOEVER. It does, by virtue of being an anabolic steroid, posses a SMALL Androgenic component. Because it lacks ANY ESTROGENIC/PROGESTATIONAL component, and it lacks a strong Androgenic component, it WILL NOT CAUSE SHUTDOWN! Oxandrolone(Anavar) posseses NO Estrogenic/Progestational component either. AND, it also lacks a strong androgenic component. Thus, Anavar will NOT cause shutdown.
Tatyana said:I bounced this post off of a neuroscientist I know (that means he has a PhD), and he is a jooser and a mod on a fairly reknown BBing board.
This was his response:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
he's wrong on many levels. However, some drugs will not shut you down completely. thats the only point he makes in the beginning, but he doesn't really understand what is known and not known about feed back to the hypothalamus.
Ross said:He does know that we are talking about receptors in the Hypothalamus, correct?![]()
Ross said:![]()
We can see from the chart above that a simgle 100mg injection of Deca caused a total (100%) reduction of natural testosterone levels, and it took about a month to return those testosterone levels to baseline! All from 100mgs of Deca!

Tatyana said:Yes Ross, he has a PhD in neuroscience and is a research scientist.
The whole hypothalamus-anterior/posterior pituitary thing and all the trophic releasing factors and negative feedback regulation.
Do you know which hormone in the pituitary has a positive feedback mechanism as you have been educating people in endocrinology 101?
What did you study at Uni BTW?

eddymerckx said:ummm, i believe this is what they call: "game, sat, match...next player"![]()
eddymerckx said:ummm, i believe this is what they call: "game, set, match...next player"![]()
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