GeneticGoldmine
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When you finish a steroid cycle and get blood work done, you might notice elevated estrogen levels in your body. This often leads to water retention and bloating during the cycle. After your last steroid injection, your natural testosterone production is usually very low, while estrogen can remain relatively high. Medications such as Nolvadex (tamoxifen) and Clomid (clomiphene) help by stimulating your body’s own testosterone production and reducing the effects of excess estrogen, restoring hormonal balance.
For steroids with long esters, it’s recommended to start Nolvadex or Clomid at a dose of 40 to 50 mg daily for two weeks immediately after your last injection, then reduce to 20 mg daily for another two weeks.
Important:
Some suggest waiting three weeks after the last injection to begin PCT, but this isn’t ideal since testosterone levels drop quickly in the third week. It’s better to start PCT earlier to avoid a prolonged low-testosterone period. For short ester steroids, begin PCT about 4 days after the final injection with the same dosage schedule, lasting for about four weeks total.
When a cycle includes two different steroids, PCT timing and dosing remain similar but should be tailored to the longer-lasting ester present. Begin PCT based on the longest ester half-life to ensure proper hormonal recovery. Using Nolvadex or Clomid at the doses mentioned above is standard, and HCG usage depends on the overall cycle length and dosages. Always track blood work closely to adjust your protocol as needed.
PCT Guidelines for Nolvadex and Clomid:
For steroids with long esters, it’s recommended to start Nolvadex or Clomid at a dose of 40 to 50 mg daily for two weeks immediately after your last injection, then reduce to 20 mg daily for another two weeks.
Important:
Some suggest waiting three weeks after the last injection to begin PCT, but this isn’t ideal since testosterone levels drop quickly in the third week. It’s better to start PCT earlier to avoid a prolonged low-testosterone period. For short ester steroids, begin PCT about 4 days after the final injection with the same dosage schedule, lasting for about four weeks total.
When to Use HCG
- Light or short cycles: Usually, HCG is not necessary. Using Clomid or Nolvadex alone for four weeks is sufficient.
- Long or heavy cycles: It’s beneficial to include low doses of HCG during the cycle, typically starting from the third week, at around 100 IU per week. This helps prevent the shutdown of natural testosterone production. Many underestimate the importance of this practice.
Additional Notes
- If you are already on TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) or HRT (hormone replacement therapy), PCT is generally not required. Instead, regular blood tests should monitor your testosterone and estrogen levels to adjust medication accordingly.
- HCG is primarily necessary when using very high doses of steroids (e.g., 1000 mg or more weekly), which is uncommon for most users. For typical bodybuilding cycles, HCG might not be needed.
Handling PCT After Using Two Steroids
When a cycle includes two different steroids, PCT timing and dosing remain similar but should be tailored to the longer-lasting ester present. Begin PCT based on the longest ester half-life to ensure proper hormonal recovery. Using Nolvadex or Clomid at the doses mentioned above is standard, and HCG usage depends on the overall cycle length and dosages. Always track blood work closely to adjust your protocol as needed.