[tribal]

Veteran Consensus Statement on the age of initiation of Anabolic use Continued

2.) Psychiatric conditions that contraindicate the use of anabolics by posing unacceptable levels of hazard to the prospective user include presence or history of Bipolar Disorder or Hypomania (which can be exacerbated by anabolics), severe depression (which can be precipitated by the "post-cycle crash" though low-grade and abiding dysthymia may respond well to long-term low-dose programs of steroid use), psychosis (which can impair the judgment necessary to use anabolics responsibly), some disorders of impulse control such as Intermittent Explosive Disorder (which may be exacerbated by androgens), such conditions as Body Dysmporphic Disorder and severe, pathological narcissism (which may cause impaired control of anabolic use in order to achieve a physical effect that cannot, because of the distorted nature of the user's self-image, ever be achieved), and Antisocial Personality Disorder (which may cause impaired control of anabolic use, and may lead as well to misuse of the strength and size benefits of these agents). High but perhaps acceptable levels of hazard are present in prospective users with a history of Substance Use Disorder (which may lead to impaired control of anabolic use) or Panic Disorder and other debilitating anxiety disorders (which may be aggravated either "on-cycle" or "off-cycle" in certain cases).

Unexpected symptoms should be discussed with a competent health or mental health professional. Laboratory testing is the only way in which certainty can be achieved in some cases. Before embarking on a course of anabolics, it is wise to get baseline readings of various systems – blood tests (comprehensive metabolic profile, CBC with differential), EKG, BP, PSA and physical exam. This permits the athlete and his/her healthcare provider to determine whether or not there are underlying conditions that preclude anabolic use, and allows comparison to subsequent tests if and when the athlete is re-examined due to the emergence of symptoms. In fact, ongoing testing of certain blood fractions (such as serum estradiol) is wise, in order to give the athlete a more accurate view of what ancillaries at what doses are needed, and what metabolic side effects are actually occurring.

In addition, certain universal precautions should be observed for the athlete and others' safety. A good liver metabolic including R-ALA, calcium-D-Glucurate, N-acetyl Cysteine or L-Glutathione (such as Tylers Detox) should be taken by anyone using oral anabolics. Plenty of water, protein, OMEGA 3, and vitamin supplementation should be standard, and the opportunity for both abundant sleep and physical rest should be included in the athlete's schedule.

The athlete using anabolics should, to a reasonable degree, avoid the use of nonessential pharmacueticals/drugs such as pain killers, alcohol, stimulants, sedatives, nicotine, and recreational drugs. These drugs add additional stress to the liver and kidneys, create unpredictable reactions in combination with anabolics, may mask injuries that should be given rest and medical attention, and may cause new injury due to intoxication effects. In addition, users must always be aware of synergistic drug effects. While most users are conscious of the negative impact on the liver of combining two 17aa steroids, most are not aware that there are many OTC drugs that affect the production of certain liver enzymes. These drugs do not always produce a negative impact on the liver when taken alone, but they can render the liver less capable of processing certain steroids. Users should familiarize themselves with the enzymes utilized to break down the more liver toxic steroids, as well as the OTC drugs that might have an impact on the specific enzymes in question.

For these reasons, the following Veterans' Consensus Statement on Medical/Psychiatric Contraindications of Anabolic Use is offered:

Physical illnesses that contraindicate the use of anabolics include liver disease, kidney disease, hypertension, heart disease, malignancy and endocrine disturbance. Psychiatric conditions that contraindicate the use of anabolics include severe depression and other mood disorder, psychosis, and marked disorders of impulse control. The use of anabolics when any of these conditions are present is unwise. Less but still measurable risk is borne by patients with severe acne, prostate disease, gynecomastia, male-pattern baldness, joint and soft-tissue injury, substance use disorder, or debilitating anxiety disorders such as panic. Unexpected symptoms should be discussed promptly with a qualified professional, and both laboratory testing and prophylactic use of detoxification agents is encouraged. The use of nonessential pharmaceuticals is discouraged in persons considering the use of anabolic steroids.

Veterans’ Consensus Statement on Post-Cycle Recovery©

Anabolic/androgenic steroids are used widely in human and veterinary medicine, and are increasingly useful to the training methods of elite athletes. Benefits of the intelligent use of anabolic/androgenic steroids include enhanced quality of life and the promise of greater longevity, as well as marked improvements in body composition, strength, and stamina. However, anabolic/androgenic steroids produce their benefits by interfering with the endocrine system, a complex system of glands and brain structures that are normally kept in an homeostatic state of balance by the action of countless subtle, sensitive feedback mechanisms. The perturbation in normal endocrine function that is introduced by the use of anabolic/androgenic steroids can, through these feedback mechanisms, elicit compensatory endocrine responses, such as up- or down-regulation of essential enzyme stores or of receptor molecules, in order to maintain homeostasis. When these compensatory mechanisms persist into the post-cycle era after steroids have been withdrawn, unwanted effects can occur, such as fatigue, depression, loss of sex drive, loss of size and strength, and others. Fortunately, both prophylactic and restorative measures that the athlete can take in this situation are now fairly well known.

Many athletes have agreed that androgenic/anabolic steroids render appreciable gains for a limited time only. As said gain period differs between individuals, this CS will refrain from any recommendations to the optimum time of such therapy but discuss methods of restoring optimum normal endocrine function.

It should be noted that the longer a cycle lasts past the eight-week mark, the harder testosterone recovery becomes. The best way of gauging ones hormonal milieu and planning compensatory measures is to have blood tests done prior to and following cessation of AAS therapy. For the purpose of this Consensus Statement and the awareness of a lack of testing athletes, the following universally accepted post cycle hormone status is assumed:

a) Luteinizing Hormone (LH): low to none, Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone (LHRH): low to none
b) Testosterone (T): low
c) Estrogen (E): high in relation to T
d) Cortisol (C): high
e) Red Blood Cell (RBC) count: falling


While all of these hormone measurements are assumed on the low end of the scale, biochemical individuality will ultimately determine where a person’s levels fall. So assumption of low to substandard levels will not always be true in everyone.


1. What are the goals of testosterone recovery?

The return of hormonal balance is but one goal of this program. To create a transitional period of minimized muscle loss and sustained and/or increased motivation is another.


2. Detailed Recommendations
If the athlete is ready to come off and is still taking long acting esters he shall switch to short acting drugs in order to have complete control of exogenous hormone levels. A “waiting period” for esters to clear is unacceptable and provides for a slow slide into the post cycle catabolic state. This period of short acting supplements shall last for a minimum of 2 weeks.

a) Luteinizing Hormone and shrunken testicles

H C G
If the testis have atrophied, the introduction of H C G at 1000iu x 14 days is necessary. To prevent this atrophy from happening, the use of H C G at 500-1000iu x 4-7 days every 2-3 weeks of the AAS cycle is recommended. This will provide exogenous LH and must only be used to restore/keep proper testicle size.
Week 1-2: H C G, 500-1000iu ed


C l o m i d
The practice of using Clomid at 50mg throughout the AAS cycle or 100mg a day for 3-5 days every 4th week has been used successfully to maintain proper testicle size.

b) Low testosterone and lack of motivation

The introduction of exogenous hormones to compensate for the low endogenous testosterone levels may help to keep loss of drive, strength and muscle at bay but may also slow the recovery process. The below drug and application was chosen for its limited impact on the HPTA

D i a n a b o l
Studies and empirical evidence have shown Dianabol to be beneficial to keep Cortisol in check and provide some intermediate relief from the symptoms of low testosterone via an increase of dopamine, IGF-1, and Central Nervous System stimulation. The heightened dopamine will combat Prolactin and help raise the levels of endogenous Human Growth Hormone. Other studies point to a lack of LH suppression when taken first thing in the morning. It shall be noted that only a low dose upon rising is recommended in order to avoid further disruption of the HPTA
Week 1-6: 10mg dbol am, ed

c) High Estrogen and suppressed Hypothalamus- Pituitary- Testicular- Axis (HPTA)

Estrogen acts as the primary messenger of testosterone production. Testosterone is aromatized into estrogen, which signals the Hypothalamus to stop producing the proper testosterone release hormones. Estrogen must be kept low.