Running GH straight through prep, who is still pulling early and what is the actual reasoning now?
20 posts · started by FrankfurtFit · Jan 11, 2026
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FrankfurtFit
796 posts · joined Jun 2015
Jan 11, 2026 at 8:00 AM
#1
I used to pull GH 8 weeks out from the show. Three prep cycles in a row I stopped at that point because I was told the water would be unmanageable close to stage. This prep I ran 3.5 IU fasted AM all the way through including peak week. No water issues. My condition was measurably better than last year and my coach commented without me telling him I had changed anything. Anyone still pulling early - what is your actual data behind that decision at this point?
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Davo
480 posts · joined Mar 2016
Jan 12, 2026 at 8:00 AM
#2
3.5 IU fasted AM is where most of the serious prep guys I know have landed. The old logic about pulling early was based on water retention fears that nobody was measuring properly. I ran through my last two preps and the conditioning at peak week was cleaner than when I was pulling at 8 weeks out. The results are the data.
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NYCgains
245 posts · joined Nov 2019
Jan 13, 2026 at 4:00 AM
#3
Running 4 IU fasted AM right now on prep. Pulling early never made sense to me once I looked at what the research actually says about mechanism. The water concern at 4 IU close to show day is manageable - I have never had a water issue from GH alone at this dose.
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Dutchman
582 posts · joined Apr 2016
Jan 13, 2026 at 5:00 PM
#4
IGF-1 blood test at week 4 of any GH protocol confirms the compound is real and dosed correctly. This is non-negotiable for anyone paying current GH prices. Run the test, confirm the compound is genuine, then run it through to show day without question.
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FLbodybuilder
1,353 posts · joined Feb 2015
Jan 14, 2026 at 8:00 AM
#5
Ran GH all the way through my last two preps. The pull-early logic was based on water retention fears that do not materialise at 3-4 IU in my experience across 25 years of prep cycles. The compound is working right up to show day. Anyone pulling at 8 weeks out is cutting the protocol short based on outdated information.
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TEXMEX
351 posts · joined May 2017
Jan 15, 2026 at 3:00 AM
#6
The fullness difference at peak week when GH is still running is real. I pulled early my first two preps and the difference since going year-round and running through has been significant. The fear of water from GH close to show day is overstated at sensible doses.
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CaliBro
297 posts · joined Apr 2018
Jan 15, 2026 at 8:00 AM
#7
Running 3 IU AM fasted. Have not pulled early in two years. My conditioning at show day has been better than when I was pulling at 8 weeks out. The old advice was conservative to a fault and the community has moved past it.
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Beantown Rick
567 posts · joined Jun 2016
Jan 15, 2026 at 4:00 PM
#8
Fasted AM 3-4 IU is the protocol that works. I have been running GH year round for three years and running it through prep is standard now. Pulling early was something I tried twice and abandoned after seeing the difference in peak week condition.
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ScouseLad
51 posts · joined Jun 2023
Jan 16, 2026 at 8:00 AM
#9
cant afford gh at the moment but reading this thread is making me think about saving for it. sounds like the results speak for themselves when you run it properly. the fasted AM thing makes sense to me at least
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HighAltitude
76 posts · joined Sep 2022
Jan 17, 2026 at 8:00 AM
#10
Colorado altitude means my hematocrit already runs a bit higher than sea level guys so I am being careful before adding GH. Following this thread closely to understand the prep dosing logic before I commit. The fasted AM protocol seems clear from the replies here.
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Chi Guy
684 posts · joined Apr 2015
Jan 18, 2026 at 8:00 AM
#11
Year round GH at 2 IU plus blast protocols at 4 IU. Running it through prep completely changed my final conditioning two cycles ago and I have not gone back. The pull-early advice is outdated and enough experienced guys have proven it with their results.
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Mick AU
481 posts · joined Aug 2017
Jan 19, 2026 at 8:00 AM
#12
Been running GH at 3.5 IU fasted AM for two years straight, mate. Never pull early. My prep results have improved consistently year on year since I went year-round. The water retention argument close to show day never held up when I actually tested it.
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SydneyFit
126 posts · joined Mar 2020
Jan 20, 2026 at 8:00 AM
#13
Still saving for GH but following threads like this one so I know what I am getting into before I start. The fasted AM protocol seems clear enough from the replies. Will come back to this thread when I am ready to run it.
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BERLINER
528 posts · joined Sep 2016
Jan 21, 2026 at 8:00 AM
#14
Running 2 IU GH alongside TRT at present. The data on sleep improvement is consistent with what I am observing. Planning to increase to 3 IU at the start of this blast and run it through any prep phase without pulling early.
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MunichMarc
286 posts · joined Dec 2018
Jan 22, 2026 at 8:00 AM
#15
GH is my next step after I have a few more cycles behind me. Following this thread carefully. The fasted AM timing makes physiological sense to me. Will put the pull-early debate to rest before I ever start.
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AucklandA
130 posts · joined Aug 2019
Jan 23, 2026 at 8:00 AM
#16
I am saving for GH as my next addition. Reading threads like this one from experienced guys is exactly what I needed. The fasted AM protocol and running it through prep rather than pulling early is noted.
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CapeTown CT
167 posts · joined Oct 2019
Jan 24, 2026 at 8:00 AM
#17
The water retention fear around GH close to show day is something I have seen discussed here for years. Good to see actual experience reports saying it is not the issue it was assumed to be at sensible doses. Will carry this into my planning.
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SWE LIFTS
162 posts · joined Jul 2018
Jan 25, 2026 at 8:00 AM
#18
The IGF-1 test to verify GH quality is something I did at week 4 and it confirmed the product was real. The cost savings from buying bad GH are illusory. Confirm the compound works first, then run it through to show day.
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OsloFit
54 posts · joined May 2022
Jan 26, 2026 at 8:00 AM
#19
GH is many cycles away for me but I find reading these advanced discussions useful for understanding where the journey goes. The fasted AM protocol and running it through prep rather than pulling early is noted for the future.
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Paris GH
173 posts · joined Mar 2018
Jan 27, 2026 at 8:00 AM
#20
In France I have been running GH through prep for two seasons now. The logic of pulling early always seemed flawed to me from a physiological perspective. The results from running through have been consistent with what members here are reporting.