First cycle and nobody told me when to actually start the AI, wait for sides or run it from day one?

[ScouseLad]

Right, first proper cycle, 500mg test e a week split mon and thu, about four weeks out from starting. I've got arimidex sat in the drawer but nobody can give me a straight answer on when to actually take it. Half the lads say run it from the first pin to stay ahead of the estrogen, the other half say hold off and only touch it if sides actually show up. I don't want puffy nipples but I also don't want to crash my e2 chasing a problem I might not even have. What did you lot do on your first run, dose from day one or wait and see?

[OsloFit]

Have the adex in the drawer but do not pin it from day one, that is how guys crash their e2 chasing a problem they have not even got yet. On a test only 500 start most people need very little and plenty need none at all, it comes down to your bodyfat and genetics rather than any set dose. Watch for the actual signs first, sore or puffy nipples and holding a lot of water, then start low like aromasin 12.5 twice a week. Best move is to get a sensitive e2 blood test around week 5 and dose off the number, not off how you reckon you feel.

[Praha CZ]

dont run it from day one mate, thats how lads crash their e2 and end up with no libido, sore joints and flat gains, which honestly feels worse than a bit of high e2. youre on test e so it wont even peak for a few weeks, theres nothing to control in week one anyway. best move is keep your aromasin on hand and only start it if sides actually show up, puffy nips, bloating, bp climbing, or even better get bloods around week 5 or 6 and dose off the real number instead of guessing. on a standard 500 a week first cycle a lot of guys barely need any AI at all.

[BIGDADDY]

Good advice in here already. Have the AI on hand but dont run it blind from day one, start low only if the water retention or puffy nips actually show up. Get a sensitive e2 test around week 4 to 6 rather than dosing off feel. Youll be fine on a test only 500 start.

[GODZILLA]

Solid thread for a first timer to read. The key bit above is right, dont chase a low e2 number, crashed estrogen is just as miserable as high. Get the bloods around week 4 to 6 and youll actually know where you sit rather than guessing off feel.

[Brizzy]

Have the AI in the cupboard but dont run it blind from day one, plenty of guys at 500 test only barely need any. Wait and see if you actually get bloat or puffy nips, then start low, aromasin 12.5mg twice a week is plenty to begin with. The trap is chasing a low e2 number and crashing it, sore joints, dead libido and flat mood are just as miserable as high e2. Best thing you can do is get a sensitive e2 test around week 4 to 6 and dose off that instead of guessing.

[MasterWuAssassin]

i didnt do this in the beginning however, i eventually got with the program and lined up all my ducks in a row and became smart about the whole process. after making many mistakes i took some time off the sauce, got myself a general Dr., a Endocrinologist, a Hemotologist, a Oncologyst, a Phlebotomyst, a Urologyst.I made sure i was on a rather healthy diet, the kind i would be on when im killing it in the gym ya know. Took a "Mega-Panel" of blood test before i put anything in my body. I am fortunate to have these doctors in my life, it wasnt easy, they all read me the riot act on what i was doing to myself, i didnt divuldge freely, i just acted like "oh,wow, how did that get in there?" LoL my estrogen was in the mid 3500's, my Testosterone was 4220, my bad cholesterol was over 350, blood pressure was up, insomnia..... the list goes on. the point is. be smart and have all the REMEDIES for SIDE EFFECTS.

[FLbodybuilder]

Getting the doctors and bloodwork sorted before starting is the right call. For the AI question, most people run a low dose from the very first pin rather than waiting for sides. Something like 0.25mg adex every other day or half a tab of aromasin twice a week is the typical starting point for a test cycle. By the time you see the puffy nips or the water retention the E2 has already climbed so being ahead of it is easier. Just don't hammer the AI trying to keep E2 at zero. Crashing E2 feels worse than high E2 and you will know fast. Run bloods at week 4-6 and dial it from there.