Testosterone Cycle

Testosterone is king when it comes to anabolic steroids. The majority of anabolic steroids you hear about are one form or another of testosterone, and usually synthetic derivatives of testosterone. This hormone increases muscle size and strength, and a testosterone only cycle is usually the first step taken for a new steroid user.

When going on a test cycle you get to quickly find out how your body, and your performance and results, change as a result of boosting your testosterone levels to previously unseen ones. And yes, you will also get to find out what, if any, side effects you might be prone to. From there you can tweak and adjust your cycles to get the best results.

Author’s Note: The following guide is based on my personal experience and does NOT promote the illegal use of steroids (PEDs).

What is Testosterone?

Testosterone is the main sex hormone in males which gives you all the characteristics that make you a man. It is mostly produced in the testicles, where it ramps up production beginning at puberty and continuing at full throttle until you’re around 30 years old; although this can vary between individuals.

In addition to being essential sex hormone for life as a man, testosterone is also a natural anabolic steroid that promotes the building of muscle and strength – these are the anabolic properties of testosterone. The androgenic effects of testosterone are what give you a deep voice, facial and body hair, and all the things that differentiate you as a man to women.

What is an Ester?

Understanding esters in organic chemistry can be difficult for the non-scientist, but you will soon come across several different esters of testosterone in the world of steroids and needless to say, you will want to know what it all means.

In basic terms, an ester is a synthetic derivative of testosterone. Different esters have a shifting around of atoms to form very slightly different compounds to the original organic compound.

Although there might only be one or two atoms different between one ester and another, this can be enough to change properties like how slow or fast a particular ester will be released into the body, and this is often the main difference between different esters and the one that may determine which one you’ll want to be using.

Most testosterone esters are suspended in oils like sesame oil or cottonseed oil. This provides a slower release of testosterone so it is not all used up by the body very quickly. The reason oils are used is because once an ester group has been added to testosterone, it becomes less soluble in water and more soluble in oil.

All the testosterone esters we come across are injectable and the dosage you use will depend on which ester it is and what your goals are for your overall steroid cycle.

Testosterone Esters

There are over 20 known esters of testosterone, but you will only come across a small number of these being available for use.

Most of these synthetic derivatives of testosterone have been developed for medical use to treat conditions like low or no testosterone in men. These compounds are able to provide a massive boost to testosterone levels, which is what makes them so attractive to us in the bodybuilding world.

The main testosterone esters you’ll see consistently talked about by bodybuilders and athletes are:

• Cypionate (Depo-Testosterone, Andro Cyp, TC, TCPP, Testosterone Cyclopentylpropionate)
• Enanthate (Delatestryl, Xyosted)
• Propionate (Testoviron Depot, TP, Testosterone Propanoate, Propionyltestosterone)
• Suspension (Sterotate, Andronaq, Aquaspension Testosterone, Virosterone)
• Undecanoate (Andriol, Jatenzo – oral versions; Nebido, Aveed – injectables)

Testosterone Cypionate and Enanthate are considered to be very similar and even in the medical field these two esters are often interchangeable.

The main difference between these esters is how slow or fast they’re able to be released into the body after an injections, and how long they elevate your testosterone levels.

Some esters will therefore need to be injected much more regularly than others if you are to maintain a consistent testosterone supply. This is why learning about the different esters, that I’ll cover in more detail below, is important.

The half life of each ester is one of the main differences between them. Cypionate has an approximately 8 day half life, Enanthate and Propionate have a short elimination half life of about 4.5 days. Testosterone Undecanoate has a long half life of over 20 days, and Phenylpropionate has a very short half life of less than three days.

Testosterone Cycles

Testosterone puts the body into a prime anabolic environment, so little wonder it’s a first choice for a beginner’s cycle especially when bulking up is the main goal.

Testosterone Only Cycle

A very simple beginner cycle is to make use of either Testosterone Cypionate or Enanthate for 8 weeks. A simple pyramid style cycle sees you starting low, increasing the dosage in the middle, then decreasing again. For example: 125mg / 250mg / 375mg / 500mg / 500mg / 375mg / 250mg / 125mg (each is per week). PCT should be started 2 weeks after your last injection at 50mg/day Clomid for 3 weeks.

Low Dose Testosterone Cycle

Even a low dose of testosterone can provide a solid boost to performance and gains, and if you’re just starting out you might want to test the waters with the lowest most effective dosage. These so called mild cycles of around 250mg per week still provide benefits, while reducing the impact on side effects.

Going any lower than 250mg is unlikely to provide many benefits since you will only be at testosterone replacement levels by replacing your natural testosterone but not exceeding that level – in other words, a low dose cycle of 250-300mg weekly may provide the best balance between gaining benefits and minimizing side effects.

Another option is to use testosterone in a gel form as a first line treatment during a testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).

Regardless of what your cycle is, doing post cycle therapy is critical if you not only to maintain your hard earned gains from the cycle, but also get your natural hormone levels back on track once the synthetic testosterone injections have stopped.

Testosterone Cycles for Those with More Experience

A more advanced testosterone cycles will almost always involve stacking it with other types of steroids like Dianabol, as well as combining multiple testosterone esters into the one long cycle; often using one ester for half the cycle and switching to another for the second half of the cycle.

Cutting Testosterone Cycles

Beginner friendly Testosterone cutting cycle

• Week 1-12 – 400mg/week Testosterone Cypionate
• Week 7- 12 – 50mg/ed Winstrol
• (PCT) Week 15-17 – 50mg/day Clomid for 3 weeks, optional 0.5mg/eod Arimidex throughout the cycle

12-week Testosterone / Winstrol / Anavar Cycle

This is a good cutting cycle containing Test and Winstrol (or Anavar).You will inject twice a week for 12 weeks. Keep in mind that 1ml=1CC when preparing your injections.

• Week 1-12 – 125-250mg/e3.5d Testosterone (Enanthate or Cypionate)
• (Optional) Week 1- 6 – 40-80mg/day Winstrol or 40-80mg/day Anavar
• (PCT) Week 15-17 – 50mg/day Clomid for 3 weeks or Nolvadex 20mg/day for 4 weeks

Throughout the cycle (or at least on hand) it’s good to take an aromatase inhibitor (AI) like Arimidex at 0.5mg/eod or 12.5mg/day Aromasin.

12-week Testosterone / Clenbuterol / Trenbolone Cycle

Here is an example of advanced Testosterone Propionate cutting cycle containing Trenbolone and Clenbuterol.

• Week 1-12 – 50-100mg/day Trenbolone Acetate
• Week 1-12 – 50mg/day Testosterone Propionate (or 250mg/e3.5d Testosterone Enanthate)
• Week 1-2 – 80-120mcg/day Clenbuterol
• (PCT) Week 15-17 – 100mg/day Clomid for the first 10 days, then 50mg/day Clomid for another 10 days (20 days in total). You can replace Clomid with Nolvadex for 4 weeks at 40/40/20/20.

Throughout the cycle you can also use 0.5mg/ed Arimidex. Also keep on hand a Dopamine agonist like Dostinex to reduce the amount of prolactin if necessary.

Intermediate Testosterone Cycle for Cutting

• Week 1-10 – 600mg/week Testosterone Cypionate, 400mg/week Equipoise
• Week 11-16 – 150mg/eod Testosterone Propionate, 50mg/eod Trenbolone Acetate
• Week 1-16 – 0.5mg/eod Arimidex

Advanced Testosterone Cycle for Cutting

• Week 1-8 – 250mg/eod Testosterone Enanthate, 200mg/eod Equipoise
• Week 9-16 – 200mg/eod Testosterone Propionate, 100mg/eod Trenbolone Acetate, 50mg/ed Winstrol
• Week 1-16 – 4iu/ed HGH, 1mg/eod Arimidex

Hardcore Testosterone Cycle for Cutting

• Week 1-12 – 250mg/eod Testosterone Enanthate, 200mg/eod Equipoise
• Week 9-20 – 200mg/eod Testosterone Propionate, 100mg/ed Trenbolone Acetate (150mg/ed week 19-20), 100mg/ed Winstrol
• Week 15-20 – 100mg/3x week Masteron
• Week 1-20 – 5iu/ed HGH, 1mg/eod Arimidex

Bulking Testosterone Cycles

15-week Testosterone Enanthate / Cypionate bulking cycle

• Week 1-15 – 250mg/e3.5d Testosterone (Enanthate or Cypionate)
• (Optional) Week 1-6 – 30-60mg/day Dianabol or 50-100mg/day Anadrol
• (PCT) Week 18-20 – 50mg/day Clomid for 3 weeks (Nolvadex at 40/40/20/20)

Throughout the cycle (or at least on hand) use an aromatase inhibitor (AI) to combat estrogen related side effects (0.5mg/eod Arimidex or 12.5mg/day Aromasin).

12-week Testosterone / Dianabol Cycle

An example of an advanced Testosterone and Dianabol 12 week bulking cycle would be:

• Week 1-6 – 40mg/ed Dianabol
• Week 1-12 – 500-750mg/week Testosterone (Enanthate/Cypionate), 0.5mg/eod Arimidex
• (PCT) Week 15-17 – 100mg/day Clomid for 10 days, then 50mg/day for another 10 days.

12-week Testosterone / Deca / Dianabol Cycle

For this advanced bulking cycle you’ll need Testosterone Enanthate or Cypionate, Dianabol, Deca-Durabolin, Arimidex and Clomid.

• Weeks 1-6 – 25-35mg/day Dianabol
• Weeks 1-15 – 300mg/week Deca, 500mg/week Testosterone, 0.5mg/eod Arimidex (12.5mg/day Aromasin)
• (PCT) Week 18-20 – 100mg/day Clomid for the first 10 days, then 50mg/day Clomid for 10 more days.

Advanced Testosterone Cycle for Bulking

• Week 1-16 – 250mg/eod Sustanon 250, 4iu/ed HGH, 0.5mg/eod Arimidex
• Week 1-12 – 600mg/week Deca-Durabolin
• Week 1-6 – 50mg/ed Anadrol
• Week 13-16 – 50mg/ed Anadrol

Hardcore Testosterone Cycle for Bulking

• Week 1-20 – 1000mg/eod Testosterone Enanthate, 4iu/ed HGH, 0.5mg/eod Arimidex
• Week 1-12 – 600mg/week Deca-Durabolin
• Week 1-6 – 100mg/ed Dianabol
• Week 11-16 – 100mg/ed Dianabol
• Week 11-20 – 100mg/eod Trenbolone Acetate week 11-12, then 100mg/ed week 13-20

*ed – every day
*eod – every other day

Testosterone Results

Test is a highly powerful steroid that acts in multiple ways to increase lean muscle mass by increasing protein synthesis, decreased body fat, boosted endurance and athletic performance, and improve recovery times; amongst other benefits.

Testosterone also acts as an anti-catabolic that blocks hormones like cortisol and therefore helps prevent the breakdown of muscle tissue (muscle catabolism). Stronger bones and improved mental clarity, focus and energy are often additional benefits of testosterone. Increased cardio output and blood flow to the heart assist with athletic performance.

Here are the big benefits of using testosterone in a steroid cycle:

• Muscle and Strength Gains – This is the main reason we want to use testosterone: it increases muscle mass and boost strength. By increasing the process of protein synthesis and blocking the effects of the stress hormone cortisol, testosterone is all about putting you into a prime anabolic state where you can’t help but gain muscle. Faster gains from strength training and faster recovery means you’re making gains significantly faster than could ever be possible without the use of steroids.
• Faster Recovery – As I said above, you will see a noticeable improvement in your recovery time even after the heaviest, longest workouts because testosterone helps muscle tissue repair faster. This means you’re back in the gym at your next workout sooner, working those same muscles and building them up at a rate and to a size that you just couldn’t achieve without taking advantage of the power of testosterone steroids.
• Fat Loss – With increased lean muscle comes a greater ability to burn fat and keep it off, creating a cut, lean and ripped physique. Although a testosterone only cycle is not generally used for hardcore cutting, national library of medicine shows that it still plays a critical role in eliminating the storage of fat and loss of muscle that comes about as a result from having low testosterone levels.

Other additional benefits include better endurance, energy and stamina, higher libido, better bone mass thanks to increased red blood cell production.

Testosterone is hugely powerful, but your gains will only be as good as your workout regime and your diet. Steroids and the required post cycle therapy drugs are by no means cheap, so unless you’re totally committed to sticking to a highly disciplined and very intense workout program and a diet that supports your gains, then steroids will be of little benefit otherwise.

Testosterone Post Cycle Therapy

As with all AAS use, post cycle therapy after a test cycle is critical. The timing of the beginning of your PCT will depend on which ester you’ve used and what its half life is.

For example, you can start PCT three days after the end of a propionate cycle, while waiting two weeks to start PCT after using enanthate. These steroids cause your natural testosterone production to shut down, so PCT is vital to get it kickstarted again not only for your health and to mitigate estrogenic side effects, but also to stop your body remaining in a catabolic state after a a cycle where you’re at risk of losing gains.

PCT options include SERMs and aromatase inhibitors to block estrogen. A basic Clomid PCT protocol would run for four weeks at 50mg per day for the first two weeks and dropping to 25mg daily for the final two weeks of PCT. Please refer to my full post cycle therapy guide to fully understand what is required for a post cycle therapy.

Testosterone Side Effects

The potential side effects with a test cycle remains largely the same regardless of which ester or esters you are using. Often there is only an atom or two difference between esters, making little difference to their effects but mainly changing their uptake properties.

Testosterone is well known for its androgenic side effects due to the conversion of testosterone to estrogen, which is why the use of anti-estrogens like SERMs or aromatase inhibitors is important so you can ward off the negative effects like acne, hair loss, aggressiveness and of course the dreaded gynecomastia.

• Gynecomastia – Gyno is the worst nightmare of any male steroid user. This is a swelling of the breast tissue which if left too long and too severe, can only be reversed by surgery. Proper PCT protocols with anti-aromatase drugs is critically important to keep gyno at bay as it comes about as a result from excess estrogen. First signs of gyno are often tingly, sore or puffy nipples.
• Acne – Acne is a common possible side effect in guys who are prone to it. So if you had acne as a teen, your chances of having acne breakouts and oily skin from a steroid cycle is going to be higher than someone who didn’t get acne as a teenager. Some people might experience a skin reaction or allergic reaction to the oil that a testosterone ester is suspended in – usually sesame seed or cottonseed oil.
• Water Retention – Water retention is another side effect risk we commonly see with a testosterone use. This happens due to more subcutaneous fluids being present, and quickly sees you losing muscle definition in return for an undesirable bloated appearance. Preventing and reversing water retention is clearly a high priority for anyone taking testosterone.

These are all common side effects with the use of testosterone steroids and it is up to the user to formulate a cycle that balances the powerful positive effects of testosterone against the negatives. Each individual will react differently which is why what works for your best buddy might not necessarily be the right method for you to follow.

Some people are more prone to side effects than others, but with standard dosages most guys can tolerate testosterone well provided essential post cycle therapy is also carried out.

It’s really important to play close attention to how you’re responding to the effects of steroids after you start taking them. You’ll soon notice which, if any, particular side effects are going to start causing issues for you, and it won’t necessarily be the same effect that you’ve heard of someone else experiencing with the same steroid: every person is different.

Testosterone FAQs

Are anabolic steroids and Testosterone the same?

Testosterone is a male androgen hormone which is also often known as a steroid hormone or an anabolic steroid. Testosterone has both androgenic (male traits) and anabolic effects on the body like building and repairing muscle.

Increasing muscle mass is the main reason people use testosterone in the form of an anabolic steroid. Testosterone steroids are synthetic derivatives of the hormone with slight modifications to the original chemical composition of testosterone.

Is Testosterone bad for your liver?

The highest risk for liver disease when it comes to steroids comes from those which are taken orally due to the slower methods of clearing the liver. Increased risk to liver health can also come about when people combine multiple steroids and medications, or abuse the substances at high dosage levels over a long period of time.

Do Testosterone esters show up in a drug test?

Different esters have a different detection time based on their half life and how long they take to clear the body to a low enough level to avoid detection. This can be anywhere from a few weeks to three months after your last injection.

For example, Testosterone cypionate and enanthate have a detection time of three months. On the other hand, Propionate has a quick 2-3 weeks detection period.

What are the long term health effects of using Testosterone?

It’s well know that long term use of any steroids can cause damage to your health, especially when you’ve been doing many years of heavy use. In the most extreme cases, failure of the kidney, liver or heart can occur resulting in death.

Other risks over the long term include mental health problems like depression, increased mood swings and rage, more severe acne and skin problems, baldness, gynecomastia requiring surgery, and shrinkage of the testicles. Abscess and other complications are injection sites are another risk factor in both the short and long term.

What is a Testosterone half life?

The half life of a testosterone ester is simply the measure of how long it takes for your body to eliminate half the dose.

This is important to know when it comes to planning your cycle and understanding the most effective timing of your injections so you experience the maximum benefits, while minimizing side effects as much as possible.

Of course, if you also think you’ll be exposed to drug testing, it’s important to know the half life of what you’ve taken so you know how much remains in your body at any point in time.

What’s the best cycle for muscle gain?

Run a Test/Deca/Dbol cycle. For someone less experienced, AN EASY 20lbs. off this cycle is achievable, maybe even more if you’re eating enough.

So I’d suggest 35mg/day Dbol for 6 weeks, 500mg/week Test Cypionate for 12 weeks, and 300mg/week Deca for 12 weeks respectively. If any symptoms of gyno appear during the cycle use 0.5mg/eod Arimidex throughout the cycle.

For recovery (PCT) use 0.5mg/day Arimidex for 1 month post last injection. Begin Clomid 2 full weeks after your last injection and take it at 100mg/day for days 1-10, then 50mg/day days 11-20.

Can HCG and Nolvadex be used for PCT?

Yes, I’d go 2500iu/week HCG split up into 2x1250iu shots spread evenly during the week (Mon/Thur) for 2 weeks, then continue with Nolvadex for 4 weeks at 40/40/20/20.

My Conclusion and Recommendation

You can’t go wrong with Testosterone. It stacks well with basically every other steroid, particular for mass building when used with Dianabol, Deca-Durabolin or Superdrol. Also essential for fat loss and prevention of excess fat storage, Testosterone plays a vital role in any cutting stack or cycle.

It’s often recommended to go for a testosterone only cycle when you’re starting out because it brings about fast strength and mass gains and gives you the chance to see how your body reacts to having a greater amount of testosterone circulating.

Stacking multiple steroids when you’re a novice is going to confuse not only your results, but your side effects and the steps you need to take in post-cycle therapy. Keeping it simple for your first steroid cycle is ideal, and testosterone is the best way to do that.