Low vs high test | Community Forum

speedspeed7.06RPOriginal post

7d ago

Hey everyone, new here but I've been using enhancements off for about 15 years. I'm a blast-and-cruise guy and I know opinions vary, but I have a specific question. I'm 5'11, 255 lbs, around 10–12% body fat. Goal is to recomposition down to roughly 8%. Diet's solid — I hit about 1 gram of protein per pound or more, though I do give into sweets occasionally and will clean that up. Over the years I've noticed when I run lower test (around 200–300 mg) and stack a different anabolic like deca or EQ at higher doses (around 500–800 mg), I tend to stay leaner. If I flip that and run very high test — even up to 1 gram — I get fuller and heavier but have a hard time staying lean. I was planning ~300 mg test with 400–500 mg DHB; I've only run DHB once and I'm excited because I think it could help me hit my goal. How do people respond to DHB — is 400–500 mg realistic considering the PIP? Or would 600–800 mg test with 200–300 mg DHB be better? I try to avoid AIs — do you think I could remain lean on higher test if my diet is very strict? Thanks — I'll post more; I usually just lurk but there's a lot to learn.

4 replies

garageer411.73RP

3d ago

If you're honestly at 10–12% BF, stop overcomplicating this. Do a straight cut to get to 8%. You won't lose much muscle if you do it correctly. Once there, transition into a proper bulk. It won't take ages, so why try to 'recomp' from an already low BF? You basically answered your own question: if higher test makes it hard for you to stay lean, it's not ideal for a cut. Also, remember it's mainly diet (caloric deficit) and cardio that will get you leaner.

georgew865.31RP

3d ago

That profile pic was from this morning right when I woke up. I figure I'm in that 10–12% range — fairly lean. Have any of you used DHB before? What was your experience? That was the real question I meant to ask.

dusty_attic786.11RP

3d ago

I'm a big fan of DHB — solid strength gains and it firms you up. I find it keeps me drier with no water bloat. That said, I've never run it above 300 mg/week. Most concentrations come in 50–100 mg/ml. I tend to do daily injections with most compounds. On my last run I kept test around 600 (a bit high for me) and ran DHB at 300 — great strength and a dry, grainy look to the physique.

chalkdusty3911.21RP

3d ago

I wouldn't want to run DHB over 200–300 mg/week. I can't picture pinning 500 mg of DHB every week. From what I've read, 200–300 is the sweet spot, and it's notorious for PIP. At 400–500 mg it'd be rough to cut, especially if you're using it as the main oil — you'd be injecting mostly DHB. My advice would be to start low and only increase if you tolerate it well.