Lean bulk cycle

[dr. Doping]

Given how much time, money and energy I invest into PEDs, training and other related stuff, might as well post a log how my current cycle is going.

1. Starting Stats

• Age: 20 (I know I'm too young for this, but I've made my decision a long time ago)
• Starting weight: 88.2kg
• Height: 1.83m
• Goal of the cycle: bulk up to compete in the sub100kg weight class in powerlifting, while also geting a better physique

2. PEDs Protocol

• Total duration: current plan is around 18 weeks, but might extend it, if bloodwork is fine and the competition gets delayed
• Given my previous (albeit brief) exposures to these compounds and the bloodworks I have done, I have managed to create an approximation formula that calculates my levels of estradiol based on my intake of exogenous testosterone, arimidex and/or primobolan. With the formula giving me the ratio of test to primobolan, my desired total miligram dosage and maximum daily injection volume, I landed on the following cycle (plan is to run it for about 18 weeks):
  • 437.5mg of test e per week (0.25cc ED)
  • 280mg of primo e per week (0.4cc ED)
  • 3iu of GH (planned to start it 4.5 weeks after the start of the cycle, started it 3.5 weeks in)
  • 50mg of anavar per day (planned for the last 6 weeks of the cycle)
  • Melanotan 2 - 200mcg morning and evening (started at about 4 weeks in)
  • BPC157 - 400mcg morning and evening (started at about 4 weeks in)
  • MOTS-C - 1mg per day (started at about 4 weeks in, my trial run of it ended at the end of 6th week, was doing 1mg in the morning and I didn't feel anything different)
• Ancillaries:
  • 0.25mg of Arimidex every 3 days for the first 2 weeks of the cycle
  • 200iu of HCG every evening (at first, it was 1000iu split Monday/Friday but later changed to mimic natural LH secretion)
  • 5mg of accutane per day (started every other day, bumped up to everyday)
  • 40mg of telmisartan (started at 20mg, bumped up for better blood pressure control)
  • 15mg of methylene blue per day (for emotional regulation and energy)
  • 10mg of cialis every other day

3. Training & Nutrition

• I am curerently running what I refer to as "modified powerbuilding puh-pull-legs". Since arms are my weakpoint, I train biceps with push and triceps with pull. As for the powerbuilding part, it just means I start training session with the competition lift that fits that day (squats for legs, bench for push and deadlift for pull). After one rotation, I have a rest day and repeat the trainign sessions. I train with relatively low volume and currently prioritise SBD, arms and shoulders.
• Same mealplan for training and non training days, I try to stick to: 2960kcal, 215g of protein, 400g of carbs, 47g of fat, 18g of fiber and 5 litres of water.
• Supplements or support products used:
  • 800mg of magnesium (in the form of magnesium carbonate) to support digestion and avoid cramps (200 morning, 600 evening)
  • 2160mg of potassium per day to limit edema from GH (1260mg morning, 900mg evening)
  • 1000mg of citrus bergamot extract (500mg morning and 500mg evening) for cholesterol
  • 6mg of monakolin K from red yeast rice extract (Lovastatin) (3mg morning, 3mg evening) for cholesterol
  • 2000mg of fish oil
  • 120mg of coenzyme q10
  • 500mg of n-acetyl l-cysteine for liver support

4. Progress & Notes

• Will write in future updates

5. Bloodwork

• I ran bloodwork (see picture atached) 1 day before starting and donated blood on the first day of the cycle (before first injection). Bloodwork wasn't ideal, to be honest. Starting weight was 88.2kg (at 1.83m tall). The cycle started on May 30th (I am writing this somewhat retroactively).
  

6. Physique pics:

 

[dr. Doping]

Cycle update #1 (4 weeks in - around 1st of July):

Weight shot up a bit too much (possibly somewhat connected to me moving during this time). Currently sitting at 94kg.

Ran bloodwork again, testing just markers that were unideal last time. I have managed to get my bloodwork to perfect numbers while on cycle. Also, the formula for e2 levels based on test, arimi and primo dosage proved to be accurate, since the formula predicted 63ng/L levels of e2 and on the bloodwork, they were 64ng/L.


Physique update:

 

[Einherjar]

Your results are already quite noticeable, even though not much time has passed. My question is — why do you have so little fat in your diet? I think this might negatively affect your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels.

 

[dr. Doping]

Your results are already quite noticeable, even though not much time has passed. My question is — why do you have so little fat in your diet? I think this might negatively affect your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels.

Thanks for the compliment - the lighting at my new place definitively helped .
As for the fat, I have multiple reasons to avoid it like plague: fat causes the most inflammation in the gut of all the macronutrients and I do have to pay attention to my digestion. Also, my cholesterol (specifically LDL) is the biggest bottleneck for me, even when I was using sarms without ancillaries to manage cholesterol, I had terrible scores on my bloodwork. As far as I know, lower fat intake helps lower LDL. Even people on TRT have lower levels of HDL and low HDL in absence of high LDL is not dangerous. That's my rationale

 

[dr. Doping]

Cycle update #2 (6 weeks in - 13th of July):
1. Stats

• Weight: sitting around 94 kg for the last week

2. PEDs Protocol

• PEDs: No change, added 30mg of anavar pre-workout, occasionally.
• Ancillaries: No changes

3. Training & Nutrition

• No changes to previous posts

4. Progress & Notes

• Strength is going up
• No side effects, even the hairline seems to be fine

6. Physique pics:

 

[ThePedsFather]

3. Training & Nutrition

• No changes to previous posts

Are you planning to increase your calorie intake in the coming weeks?

 

[dr. Doping]

Are you planning to increase your calorie intake in the coming weeks?

Ofcourse, my weight gain has become stagnant so I will probably raise calories next week. In the past, I've always made the mistake of trying to eat too much and ended up too fat. This time, I want to do it properly, without getting fat.

 

[Einherjar]

Ofcourse, my weight gain has become stagnant so I will probably raise calories next week. In the past, I've always made the mistake of trying to eat too much and ended up too fat. This time, I want to do it properly, without getting fat.

The same story but anyway more calories is more muscles.

 

[dr. Doping]

The same story but anyway more calories is more muscles.

No, that's exactly what I am contesting. I bulked up to 100kg last year, thinking RAD140 and MK677 will give me maximum gains while eating 4500kcal per day, in reality I just got fat. This time, I'm doing it the smarter way, slower and more methodical (also I finally live on my own so I am 100% in control of my food)

 

[lisanovskyi]

ь

Cycle update #2 (6 weeks in - 13th of July):
1. Stats

• Weight: sitting around 94 kg for the last week

2. PEDs Protocol

• PEDs: No change, added 30mg of anavar pre-workout, occasionally.
• Ancillaries: No changes

3. Training & Nutrition

• No changes to previous posts

4. Progress & Notes

• Strength is going up
• No side effects, even the hairline seems to be fine

6. Physique pics:
View attachment 595View attachment 596View attachment 597View attachment 598View attachment 599
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Bro, you should have trained naturally first to reach your full potential — like 90–95%.
Also, you need to rethink your nutrition, it feels like you're not eating enough.
Your protocol is really strange — for example, why are you using 3 grams of growth hormone? Why not start with 2? That’s the minimum starting dose.
And the Accutane dose is too high — 0.2 would be enough.
Why aren’t you taking vitamins A and E?
There are a lot of weird decisions, and your training program looks like you’re not even doing proper compound lifts.
Well, to each their own — there are protocols and systems, but first, you need to eat more and get stronger.

 

[dr. Doping]

Bro, you should have trained naturally first to reach your full potential — like 90–95%

"you should reach tje natty limit before hopping on" is just the simplest way to tell people to learn how to train, eat and recover before taking dangerous substances to cover for their insuffieicencies in other areas. I am obsessed with training, I've been studying how to train, eat, recover and use PEDs for years and have decided to do that step. Was it wise to do it before 25, while my preforntal cortex is developing? Not really, I am stunting my emotional intelligence, but I am doing everything to minimise negative effects.

Also, you need to rethink your nutrition, it feels like you're not eating enough.

Clearly not, my weight has gone up 7 kilos in 7 weeks. Thats too much, not too little. My lifts have gone up too, so I think my nutrition is on point. Eating more than required doesn't make any sense, you can't force muscle growth through extra food. It doesn't work that way and when I tried it (and I tried it multiple times) I always got fat and had to spend multiple months dieting down which sucks. Maybe you should rethink your broscience worldview and start critically thinking.

Your protocol is really strange — for example, why are you using 3 grams of growth hormone? Why not start with 2? That’s the minimum starting dose.

Bro really doesn't understand units. 3g of GH is 10.000 IUs. I am using 3IUs per day, because that's what I could afford and there isn't much difference anyways. Anecdotally, up to 5IUs per day, the muscle building effects aren't noticeable anyways (altough I am testing this)

And the Accutane dose is too high — 0.2 would be enough.

No, I upped it from 5mg EOD, because it wasn't enough, I am prone to acne and am very fortunate to tolerate accutane very well.

Why aren’t you taking vitamins A and E?

Vitamin E comes packaged with my CoQ10 and fish oil, but I never really cared for supplementing with vitamins, because I never saw much of a difference. Neither on bloodwork, nor in my state of being.

There are a lot of weird decisions, and your training program looks like you’re not even doing proper compound lifts.

I train with relatively low volume and currently prioritise SBD

I LITERALLY WROTE I PRIORITISE SQUAT BENCH AND DEADLIFT AND THE POINT OF THIS CYCLE IS TO BULK UP TO THE NEXT WEIGHT CLASS IN POWERLIFTING!

Well, to each their own — there are protocols and systems, but first, you need to eat more and get stronger.

Yes, and the ones you are spreading are based on outdated gymbro beliefs while I base mine on evidence and my experience. Eating more isn't better, after about 200-500kcal surplus, because I jsut get fatter (as would any other human) and I am getting stronger every training session. I literally use Jordan Peters (look him up) principles in the bodybuilding (accessories) part of my program.

 

[Einherjar]

ь

Bro, you should have trained naturally first to reach your full potential — like 90–95%.
Also, you need to rethink your nutrition, it feels like you're not eating enough.
Your protocol is really strange — for example, why are you using 3 grams of growth hormone? Why not start with 2? That’s the minimum starting dose.
And the Accutane dose is too high — 0.2 would be enough.
Why aren’t you taking vitamins A and E?
There are a lot of weird decisions, and your training program looks like you’re not even doing proper compound lifts.
Well, to each their own — there are protocols and systems, but first, you need to eat more and get stronger.

I don't agree with that. No one should train until they reach 90% of their natural potential because you can train for 20 years and still not reach it. The modern world demands quick solutions and results because when you need to work, spend time with family, and handle other things, steroids become a tool that helps you achieve your goals faster. Plus, to gain mass naturally, you need to eat a lot (that's how it works for me), but as soon as I did that, I gained a lot of fat. I don’t like that approach because we live only once, and I don’t want to be in good shape at 50 — I want to be in shape at 24.

 

[dr. Doping]

I don’t want to be in good shape at 50 — I want to be in shape at 24.

Agreed, but I want to stay in good sjape well into my fifties too. That's why I still take a safety first approach by getting bloodwork too often and staying relatively conservative with my doses

 

[SalvatoreCorvus]

Thank you for this very detailed log, it is a pleasure to read and follow.

I understand the advice about "you have to train a long time before touching steroids."

There are two reasons for this. The first is the health aspect. It can be controlled. But the consequences can be dire for young people. Lifelong infertility, mental imbalance. Things that can prevent you from experiencing some of the beauty in life.

The other aspect is the lack of training experience. Sorry if this is annoying, but people are beginners in this sport with less than 5 years of training. And without this experience of themselves, of the notion of effort, planning, training, recovery etc.
You will not be able to exploit what steroids bring. Cases of doped people who are less muscular than a Natty with 10 years of experience I see them every day and there are legions of them.


Then several things worry me in your protocol:

Telmisartan really necessary? Or just a precaution?
It's important to know that telmisartan causes potassium retention. Therefore, adding 2g of potassium can be fatal for the heart.

3ui of HGH at your age... That's money thrown out the window.

We do not take an anti-aromatase from the beginning of a cycle, not before having done a bloodwork for its e2. We do not take any medication without bloodwork before. (And to be extreme even mineral and vitamin supplements)

Looking for a theoretical formula for something practical and physical is bullshit. Don't take it the wrong way, but it's a bad approach.

Anyway, You seem very motivated and want to optimize everything. Hopefully, the foundation (training) will be as well.

Keep it up

 

[dr. Doping]

There are two reasons for this. The first is the health aspect. It can be controlled. But the consequences can be dire for young people. Lifelong infertility, mental imbalance. Things that can prevent you from experiencing some of the beauty in life.

Thanks for the concern. My health is fine (I've done bloodwork for 3 months in a row now, on average over the last year I've done bloodwork more frequently than once every 2 motnhs), I measure my blood pressure every morning (and it's 120/60) and I do atleast 20 minutes of cardio per day. As for the mental stuff and infertility, I am using HCG to preserve my testicles and production of neurosteroids and I must say it made a very big difference. Also I am handling steroids pretty well, I am not in a financial situation where I'd have to decide whether to buy test or food and I am a productive member of society.

Telmisartan really necessary? Or just a precaution?

Very necessary. My systolic blood pressure would be 140 if not even 160 without it.

3ui of HGH at your age... That's money thrown out the window.

I did someone a very big favour and he repaid me in GH. Also as far as I know, the therapeutical replacement dose would be 1iu.

We do not take an anti-aromatase from the beginning of a cycle, not before having done a bloodwork for its e2. We do not take any medication without bloodwork before. (And to be extreme even mineral and vitamin supplements)

Looking for a theoretical formula for something practical and physical is bullshit. Don't take it the wrong way, but it's a bad approach.

I was "cruising" on 262,5mg of test per week before the cycle (I did a powerlifting meet and kept my cruise a bit higher to support training for it). Without arimidex, my e2 was at 100ng/L. I have done enough bloodworks previously to have an idea how much arimidex affects my e2 levels, but since I'm an engineer, I used some stuff we learned about numerical methods and made a formula based on my bloodworks. I added 0.25mg of arimidex EOD and it brought me to 32ng/L (confirmed by bloodwork) and because test e saturates faster than primo e, I kept arimidex in for the first 3 weeks (while slowly tapering it down). As for the formula, it is not theoretical, I just calculated how much e2 I have based on my intake of test e, arimidex and primo e. Since it's based on actual data from bloodworks, it's not really theoretical at all.

Anyway, You seem very motivated and want to optimize everything. Hopefully, the foundation (training) will be as well.

Training is fine, as I said, I'm obsessed with this.

 

[Einherjar]

Thanks for the concern. My health is fine (I've done bloodwork for 3 months in a row now, on average over the last year I've done bloodwork more frequently than once every 2 motnhs), I measure my blood pressure every morning (and it's 120/60) and I do atleast 20 minutes of cardio per day. As for the mental stuff and infertility, I am using HCG to preserve my testicles and production of neurosteroids and I must say it made a very big difference. Also I am handling steroids pretty well, I am not in a financial situation where I'd have to decide whether to buy test or food and I am a productive member of society.

Very necessary. My systolic blood pressure would be 140 if not even 160 without it.

I did someone a very big favour and he repaid me in GH. Also as far as I know, the therapeutical replacement dose would be 1iu.


I was "cruising" on 262,5mg of test per week before the cycle (I did a powerlifting meet and kept my cruise a bit higher to support training for it). Without arimidex, my e2 was at 100ng/L. I have done enough bloodworks previously to have an idea how much arimidex affects my e2 levels, but since I'm an engineer, I used some stuff we learned about numerical methods and made a formula based on my bloodworks. I added 0.25mg of arimidex EOD and it brought me to 32ng/L (confirmed by bloodwork) and because test e saturates faster than primo e, I kept arimidex in for the first 3 weeks (while slowly tapering it down). As for the formula, it is not theoretical, I just calculated how much e2 I have based on my intake of test e, arimidex and primo e. Since it's based on actual data from bloodworks, it's not really theoretical at all.

Training is fine, as I said, I'm obsessed with this.

You know what I would do in your place? Just in case, I would freeze my sperm. It would be useful even though you're using HCG

 

[dr. Doping]

You know what I would do in your place? Just in case, I would freeze my sperm. It would be useful even though you're using HCG

I have to look into this, especially the cost of them keeping it.

 

[Einherjar]

I have to look into this, especially the cost of them keeping it.

Believe me, it’s much cheaper than doing IVF later.

 

[dr. Doping]

Believe me, it’s much cheaper than doing IVF later.

Well I'm from Europe and I don't know what are the regulations here... I'm not going to say "I don't plan to have kids anyways", because that's what immature teenagers say before hopping on tren or doing something similarly stupid. I will probably change my mind about kids... I will look into it

 

[Einherjar]

Here’s my situation: I never planned on having kids, so I used steroids for a long time without HCG.

But at some point, I realized I did want to become a father. Actually, I’d go even further — I believe having a child is essential if you want to grow as a person. It’s the biggest responsibility anyone can take: being accountable not just for yourself, but for another life. It’s a deeper, philosophical part of life.

I’ve now been on HMG, HCG, and various supplements for a year and a half. I’m planning to get a semen analysis soon, but honestly, I’m not confident about the results.

That’s why I strongly advise thinking about this in advance. Even if you’re not planning to have children right now — just freeze your sperm, just in case. It gives you options later and might save you from a lot of regret.