How do you guys actually decide when it’s time to pull the plug?
We all get the deal: PEDs are toxic, so we cycle them. You grab your baseline bloodwork, then check back in every 4 to 6 weeks to see how much of a mess things are becoming. You can throw all the supplements you want at the problem, but eventually, it’s just a race against the clock and the damage to your organs.
So, where’s your "red line"? How wrecked do your labs have to look before you shut it down?
When I ran Anavar, the results were exactly what I thought they'd be. I only planned for 4 weeks anyway, and everything bounced back to normal pretty fast. But for the heavier, more toxic stuff, what's the specific trigger for you? I’m looking for actual numbers or levels that make you say "okay, that’s enough." Or is it mostly just based on how crap you feel? Maybe the "feel" factor is the real metric at the end of the day.
On another note - let’s talk training frequency. I’m an older guy, so I usually stick to a 5-day split, hitting each muscle once a week. It keeps my joints from screaming at me, and honestly, it still works for hypertrophy. I know being on cycle speeds up recovery though, and since the clock is ticking, do you guys actually ramp up the frequency? Or do you just keep the same schedule and push the intensity harder?
I’m not looking for a "one size fits all" answer or a debate on the "right" way to do things. I'd just love to hear from guys in their 40s or 50s about what has actually worked for you in the real world.
honestly man for me it’s the liver enzymes. if my ALT/AST starts hitting double the top of the range i’m out. i dont care how good the pumps are lol. kidney health is the one you really cant mess with though so i keep a close eye on GFR.
im 46 and the "feel" factor is huge. once the heartburn and the lethargy kick in i know my internals are stressed. usually happens around week 8 or 10 on the heavier stuff. i just go back to my trt dose and cruise until things settle down.
regarding the training- i definitely ramp it up on cycle. i usually go from 4 days to 6 days since recovery is so much faster. just gotta be careful with the tendons cuz the muscles get stronger way faster than the joints can keep up with... ask me how i know haha.
liver values can be scary but watch that hematocrit too. if my blood gets too thick i start feeling like garbage and that’s my red line. mostly i just stick to the basic stuff now that im older. the "look" isn't worth feeling like a zombie all day.
5 day split is plenty even on cycle imo. i just add more volume to the sessions instead of adding more days. helps keep the wife happy too since im not at the gym 24/7. for the labs- i pull the plug the second my LDL gets into the stupid range. heart health > everything.
