Planning my first cycle, everyone says test only 500mg or can I start lower?

righty lads finally gonna do my first cycle. everyone says test only 500mg which makes sense but wondering if starting at like 300mg would still give proper results without going in too deep. got everything ready - test e, adex on hand, pct sorted. just wanna know if i actually need to go straight to 500 or if lower is fine for a first run. dont wanna waste it but also dont wanna go overboard

I started at 350mg for my first cycle and got real results with minimal sides. Gives you a chance to learn how your body handles estrogen before committing to 500mg. Some guys don't need an AI at all at lower doses - knowing that before you go higher is actually useful information. Have your adex ready either way and pull bloods at 6 weeks minimum.

500mg test E split Monday Thursday is the classic for a reason mate. At that dose you get a clear picture of how you respond. You'll need your AI - have it on hand before you pin day one, not after. PCT ready before you start too - Clomid 50mg plus Nolvadex 20mg for 4 weeks starting 2 weeks after last pin. Bloods before you start and again at 6 weeks in. Don't skip the bloodwork.

I went with 400mg for my first run after reading a lot of threads here. Felt like a good middle ground. Results were solid - gained about 12lbs over 12 weeks and kept most of it. E2 was manageable, used adex 0.5mg EOD and my numbers came back fine at the 6-week check. Wish I had run HCG throughout though - PCT would have gone smoother I think.

I am in a very similar position. Just finished reading everything I can find before committing to a first cycle. The consensus on 500mg test E with AI on hand and bloodwork at 6 weeks is clear and consistent across every thread I have read. This thread confirms it. Going with the standard approach rather than trying to modify it before I even know how I respond.