Download QUESTION: I have heard that HGH suppresses your body`s natural

QUESTION:
I have heard that HGH suppresses your body’s natural T3 production. I have also heard
that low doses of Cytomel can increase protein synthesis in the body. Two questions. If HGH
suppresses T3 production, how does it act as such a great fat burner? Would you recommend
supplementing low doses of T3 in the off-season to counteract the effects of the HGH?
ANSWER:
First off, growth hormone (GH) does not suppress thyroid hormone (thyroxin) release.
More likely, it inhibits the conversion of thyroxin (also known as T4) into its active metabolite, T3.
Since T3 is the hormone responsible for regulating metabolic rate, a decrease in T3 conversion
will, theoretically, lead to a slowing down of bodily functions (protein synthesis, fat mobilization,
and carbohydrate utilization).
GH exerts its fat burning effect by directly mobilizing long chain fatty acids from the fat
cells and thus does not require another hormone such as T3 to accomplish this. Growth
hormone’s fat mobilizing ability is much stronger than its T3-suppressing side effect; therefore,
when an individual injects GH, the cumulative effect is to lose body fat.
Cytomel, a synthetic form of T3, can aid in increasing the rate of fat burning during a very
intense contest diet. 25-75mcg per day will, usually, increase the fat burning effect of GH by
about 5-7%. Ingestion of low-dose Cytomel on a regular basis to increase protein synthesis,
however, will generally result in loss of muscle and thyroid suppression. Cytomel should only be
utilized for short periods of time-- usually 6-8 weeks prior to a contest.
QUESTION:
I have heard that if you can get gynecomastia from trenbolone. Is it true that you need to
use bromocryptine to treat trenbolone-induced gynecomastia instead of Arimidex? Isn't all
gynecomastia the same? If I am taking both testosterone and trenbolone and I get
gynecomastia, should I take both Arimidex and bromocryptine?
ANSWER:
Most gynecomastia (increased development of mammary gland tissue in men) is caused
by the aromatization of testosterone and some of its synthetic derivatives (such as Anadrol,
Dianabol, and Equipoise) into estrogen. Once estrogen levels are allowed to rise beyond a
certain point, glandular tissue under the nipples hypertrophies and leads to an embarrassing
condition known as gynecomastia or bitch tits.
Drugs like Arimidex, Aromasin, and Teslac are aromatase inhibitors-- they block the
conversion of testosterone into estrogen. Usually, these drugs are sufficient to prevent any
occurrences of gynecomastia; however, on occasion, 19-nortestosterone-based anabolic steroids
can lead to progesterone-induced gynecomastia. Drugs like Deca Durabolin or trenbolone
acetate, from a biochemical standpoint, cannot aromatize into estrogen; however, they can result
in elevated progesterone levels. Extremely high progesterone levels, in certain sensitive
individuals, can result in nipple sensitivity and gynecomastia flare-ups.
Some experts in the industry have suggested that by taking the drug, bromocryptine,
progesterone levels can be kept in check and progesterone-induced gynecomastia can be
avoided. I have yet to see any convincing evidence to prove this to be the case. Instead, in my
opinion, a wiser course of action would be to minimize the use of compounds such as Deca and
trenbolone (especially when taken together) if you happen to be sensitive to elevated
progesterone levels.
QUESTION:
I have heard that HGH can cause severe water retention in some people and none in
others. What makes some people more susceptible to water retention? Is there any way to
combat it? I know a lot of competitors that use GH while dieting; however, isn't water
retention bad news when you get closer to a contest? Would you cut it out? How long does it
take for the water retention to subside?
ANSWER:
One of the common side effects from taking exogenous GH injections is edema-subcutaneous water retention. This phenomenon is dose dependent and is most commonly
observed in users that are injecting over 4IU of GH per day. When dosages are kept in the
recommended range of 2-4IU per day, very little edema is noticed. However, as dosages exceed
5IU per day, fluid retention becomes rather significant.
My advice to pre-contest GH users is to keep the dosage under 4IU per day for the two
weeks prior to a contest. This will keep water retention to a minimum and enable the user to get
rid of any extra fluid with a mild diuretic. For users who experience severe bloating from even 2IU
per day, I recommend stopping GH usage, altogether, 2 weeks out and then resuming it 2 days
prior to the contest to help fill out the muscles.
One final note, I have been talking to several competitive bodybuilders and have realized
that most competitors have no clue as to how to rid the body of excess water. The first person I
spoke to told me that they were stopping their fluid intake on the Tuesday prior to a Saturday
morning prejudging. The second, misguided, individual actually posted, on a message board,
that they were cutting their fluids two weeks prior to their contest to ensure that they come in to
the contest in a dryer state.
Since the human body cannot live without fluids for more than 48 hours, and, in reality, it
only takes 12-18 hours to properly deplete the body of any excess subcutaneous water, diuretic
usage for any longer than 2 days and water restriction for any longer than 24 hours will,
ultimately, lead to disaster!
QUESTION:
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. It is during this month that
Muslims observe the Fast of Ramadan. Lasting for the entire month, Muslims fast during
the daylight hours-- from 5am (sunrise) to 5pm (sunset).
Dave, there are a lot of Muslim bodybuilders out there. Will you devise an eating
strategy so that we can maintain our hard-earned muscle during this holy month?
ANSWER:
The way I see it, the only times that you are able to consume food is from 5pm in the
evening until 5am in the morning. During that twelve-hour time period, it is absolutely necessary
for you to eat at least six quality meals. Likewise, I would suggest weight training only after
consuming at least one solid food meal.
My strategy would be to start with a protein shake as soon as the sun sets at 5pm.
Follow that up with a high protein food meal at 6pm. Hit the gym for your weight-training session
at 7pm and make sure you get home to eat your third, sold food, meal by 8:30pm. At 10:30pm,
for meal number 4, I would suggest another high protein shake; and prior to bed at 12:30am, I
would eat meal number 5-- another solid food meal (possibly 6 whole eggs with half cup of
oatmeal). Finally, for meal number 6, I would set my alarm for 4:30am and I would awaken and
have another high quality protein shake (at least 50 grams) and then go back to bed until it is
absolutely necessary to awaken (the longer you sleep, the easier it will be to make it to 5pm
without eating).
If you can follow this meal plan for the entire month of Ramadan, you should have no
problem maintaining all your muscle mass. Interestingly enough, you might even find that you
gain muscle during this month due to the shock of the unorthodox eating plan!