Prohormones: Side Effects & Best Alternatives

Max Riley
Written By: Max Riley
October 12th, 2009
Updated: March 19th, 2021
Categories: Articles Supplements
612.8K Reads
Man doing dumbbell bicep curls in gym.
Prohormones can often seem like the easy route. But prohormone use comes with many hidden costs - including your health.

Prohormones are inexpensive. You only have to do a little bit of web surfing to find a bottle that sells for around $30-35. And for your thirty smackerolas, you get a one month cycle. Not a bad deal, eh?

Before I address this question, and provide you with a shocking answer, I want to get something straight. Prohormones ARE steroids. Yes they are, ladies and gentlemen. Prohormones are steroids.

Once they enter your body, and are processed by the liver, you are no longer a natural lifter. And, oh by the way, did you catch the are processed by the liver part? Prohormones are oral steroids. They are hepatoxic, meaning they can damage the liver. Some much more then others.

Now, back to the question: are prohormones a good deal?

Heck, they’re cheap. And they sometimes work. They don’t work as good as their real deal, illegal counterparts. But they work good enough to be swallowed by mass-building wannabees.

So, for thirty dollars, you can add on a couple (or more) pounds of muscle. Sounds easy, and cheap. But wait. There are hidden costs. Let me explain why.

Because prohormones are steroids, they require cycle support, and post cycle therapy. These terms may or may not be foreign to you. Let me explain them.

As I mentioned, prohormones are hepatoxic (liver damaging). They also can, and most likely will, mess up your lipid panel. For those of you that are medically challenged, prohormones raise bad cholesterol levels, cause an increase in blood pressure, can cause headaches, hypertensions, dizziness, etc. Because of the side effects, you need to take cycle support supplements.

Cycle Support Supplements

Cycle support supplements help protect the liver, and fight high blood pressure and high cholesterol. You might be saying to yourself: self, I don’t need cycle support supplements. I’m young and healthy.

Wrong! This is 100% pure lunacy.

Prohormones affect each individual differently. For some, the side effects are severe. And for some, mild. But even when the side effects are mild, they are still there. If you still don’t believe that cycle support is needed, head to any training forum where prohormone talk is allowed. Now post the following: I am young and healthy, and do NOT need cycle support supplements during my prohormone cycle.

Next, wait approximately 60 seconds, and refresh your browser. You will find that there are now 10 responses to your post, all calling you an idiot. Getting the picture yet?

The following cycle support supplements are staples:

Liver Protection

Milk thistle is the must have liver protection supplement. You should also consider using NAC, ALA, Curcumin, L-Carnitine, Taurine, Rhodiola, Green Tea and Lecithin.

Lipid Panel/Other Side Effects

Other highly recommended cycle support supplements are hawthorne berries (extract) to battle heart, blood pressure and circulation issues, celery seed extract to fight high blood pressure and anxiety, red yeast rice for lowering blood lipids, cholesterol and triglycerides, CoQ10 as an anti-oxidant, and joint support supplements for the aches and pains that often come with prohormome use.

There are more supplements that could be added to this list. But these are the basics. The minimum recommendations. Get your checkbook or debit card ready. The cost for these cycle support supplements adds up quickly.

Expect to spend somewhere in the ballpark of $50 a month for cycle support supplements. And remember, you need to take these supplements after your month of prohormones is finished. A 4 week prohormone cycle requires two months off cycle.

If you plan on using prohormones again, it’s best to stay on cycle support supplements year round. This is a hidden cost of over $600 per year.

Post Cycle Support (Or PCT – Post Cycle Therapy)

In addition to the long list of supplements you’ve already added to your shopping cart, you also need to take post-cycle support supplements for at least a month following your prohormone cycle.

Here’s the deal. When you take prohormones (steroids), you are adding synthetic testosterone to your body. You are artificially jacking up your testosterone levels. Because of this, your body produces far less natural testosterone. This is not an issue when you’re on a prohormone cycle.

But when you finish your prohormone cycle, you’re in trouble. Your body is used to the artificial testosterone, and isn’t producing much natural testosterone on its own. Your testosterone to estrogen ratios are out of whack, which opens you up to all sorts of unwanted side effects.

Ever heard of bitch tits? Ah, yes, my friend – bitch tits are a side effect of prohormone use. You start to grow breasts!  You will experience a noticeable swelling around the nipple…one that can be highly visible through any t-shirt.

There are other nasty side effects that can come after your prohormone cycle is finished. Your sex drive will take a dive, and you may not be able to get it up. And when it is up, you may find that it’s no longer a diamond cutter. Sorry if I sound crude, but we’re all adults, and these topics need to be discussed.

You will also feel a crash. A post-cycle crash comes from a dramatic decrease in the body’s testosterone levels. You will feel like crap. And oh, by the way, you will most likely lose ALL size and strength gains from your prohormone cycle. Why? Low bodily testosterone levels.

So, let’s recap. After your prohormone cycle is finished, you will crash, lose size and strength, and can also grow breasts and lose your sexual drive.

Sounds awesome, doesn’t it!

Recommended Post-Cycle Support Supplements

To fight these side effects, you need a full battery of post-cycle support products/supplements. Generally, the following is recommended:

SERM (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators)

“SERM” stands for selective estrogen receptor modulators. Sounds like something out of a 1950’s sci-fi movie. Simply put, SERMs battle estrogen related side effects. Most recommended and effective SERMs are illegal substances.

Why would you take a legal steroid (prohormones), only to get involved with  illegal post cycle products? If you ask me, it’s flat-out insanity. There are, of course, over the counter SERM supplements available. They are less effective as their illegal counterparts. Bottom line, to retain most of your gains, you need illegal SERMs.

AI (Aromatase Inhibitor)

“AI” stands for aromatase inhibitor. An aromatase inhibitor blocks the synthesis of estrogen, helping to balance the body’s testosterone/estrogen levels. As with SERMs, some AI products are illegal, and some are not.

Testosterone Boosters

This is the third necessity on your post-cycle grocery list. You NEED to boost your body’s natural testosterone production. To do this, any number of supplements are used, from horny goat weed to tribulus terrestris.

Generally, a proprietary testosterone boosting product is used during PCT. This product generally contains multiple supplements known for their ability to raise natural bodily testosterone levels.

Post cycle therapy products (SERM, AI, test booster) are generally taken for a month following a prohormone cycle. At minimum, you can expect to spend $60 during this month. It is not uncommon to see prohormone users spending $75 to $100 or more on PCT products.

If you continue to cycle prohormones throughout the year, your PCT products/supplements will have a hidden cost of $300.

Prohormones – The “Real” Cost

It is recommended that after a one month prohormone cycle, you spend 2 months off cycle. This means you can perform 4 complete prohormone cycles each year. Here’s the total cost:

  • $130 to $150 – Prohormones. 4 bottles.
  • $600 to $700 – Cycle support supplements.
  • $240 to $400 – Post Cycle Therapy products and supplements.

And the grand total is…$970 to $1,250 per year. Don’t forget, once you come completely off prohormones, you will lose almost all of your gains.

Prohormones aren’t worth it. The cost is expensive, the health risks are numerous, and the gains don’t last. And once you begin “experimenting”, you are far more likely to be tempted into spending money on illegal products.

Don’t start.

62 Comments
Benedetto J Posta
Posted on: Sat, 06/19/2021 - 21:22

This is based on pure opinion. There isnt one scientific fact in this article

Jack Oswald
Posted on: Sat, 01/04/2020 - 12:36

"And the grand total is…$970 to $1,250 per year. Don’t forget, once you come completely off prohormones, you will lose almost all of your gains."

This isn't my experience at all - You don't have to spend this much on an annual basis and if you keep training and nutrition constant, there's no reason to lose your gains when you cycle off prohormones.

Jason
Posted on: Mon, 07/01/2019 - 10:36

There is nothing scientific about this article. It's all opinions. Where are the sources or references that prove these accusations? I want the facts, but articles like this do nothing but make it more difficult to do real research.

Jordan Taylor
Posted on: Thu, 12/05/2019 - 12:35

I’ve been lifting for many years now and am looking to take it to the next level. Wondering what anyone might know or advise regarding PH’s. Suggestions, advice, experiences.. all welcome please. Thank you.

Ben
Posted on: Mon, 05/22/2017 - 06:38

I can buy the pro muscle stack for £50 comes with

Epi 10mg x90
Megavol 15mgx90
Trenavol 30mgx90
Pct
Test booster

If I was to run on a low dose I could make 1 bottle of tren alone last 3 3 month cycles
This can easily last me 1 year if I was to take only 1 or 2 caps a day and do each hormone separately

My liver values only become slightly elevated, my libido is good, no hair loss, I don't see why there's any hate liver values return to normal within a week of stopping cycle, pros are cheaper, easier to get don't need to worry about bunk, more reward than recreational drugs or alcohol and far less harmful, as long as you don't take multiple methylated pro hormones together you shouldent worry about anything, remember anti estrogen, on cycle supports, drink plenty of water and there's no issue, quite pathetic to see so much hate IMHO.

Pete Lifts
Posted on: Sun, 04/14/2019 - 00:13

Bro, I agree. Anything in moderation is ok for the most part. Just be wary of some of these supplements, you really have no idea what is in each capsule or bottle unless you had the time and money to and them to a lab to test them out. For all you know, someone could be putting rat poison in each capsule.

erik
Posted on: Tue, 08/02/2016 - 08:16

To say you cannot keep your steroid gains is not entirely accurate! You do not lose the accumulated nuclei in PCT so muscle size lost in PCT can be gained back MUCH easier in a very short time frame naturally. This can make for a huge shortcut in reaching your natural genetic potential. The exception is bodybuilder who is already at his natural limits and is using steroids to push beyond. Most users of prohormones are not in this position.

To think it's ludicrous for someone to buy illegal SERM's for use with legal prohormones does not make sense to me. What does make sense is that illegal SERM's can be acquired with a great degree of certainty as to what you are getting. On the other hand injectable steroids are far more difficult to find reliable sources for. With prohormones you know what you're getting.

The risks of prohormones I agree with completely. They can be minimized but not eliminated.

Tony
Posted on: Sun, 11/20/2016 - 22:19

My right side hurts alittle. I took two bottles of prohormones but one pill a day for 30 days then pct for 30 days back and forth each bottle had 90 pills so I been doing this for almost a year. You think I fried my insides???? I'm chugging water to try to flush my system I'm never touching prohormones ever again

Arod
Posted on: Mon, 07/18/2016 - 12:26

Well guys I've taken a couple of stacks from Complete Nutrition and just last week found out I have elevated levels of enzymes in my liver. Getting an ultrasound on Friday to see if I've done any damage. I've taken the post cycle pills also but I guess it's best just to stay natural and off them pills..

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MikeWines
Posted on: Mon, 07/18/2016 - 16:09

AST and ALT will sometimes come back elevated in lifters but shouldn't be too much of a concern given higher protein intakes coupled with intense training will lead to higher levels of intra muscular damage. Read this, print out a copy, and discuss it with your doctor: https://www.t-nation.com/living/tip-how-lifters-should-read-lab-results

Arod
Posted on: Tue, 07/19/2016 - 00:05

I sure hope so. The doc scared the shit out of me...

joey joe
Posted on: Mon, 07/04/2016 - 14:49

sorry man but your article is full of crap...I've used sustanon decaduraboline , dianabol....and many others and i used prohormones...prohormones work good...not as good as the real deal and injectables but good enough for someone who doesn't want to go to jail for buying illegal steroids.

Kev
Posted on: Tue, 03/01/2016 - 11:48

1. Blah blah natural lifters blah blah. Easy for a guy who probably has nice genetics to say.
2. I've done 4 cycles and kept all my gains afterward.
3. Your article is full of errors, a cycle will def not cost you 970$.
Don't like ph's? Don't take em!

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MikeWines
Posted on: Tue, 03/01/2016 - 12:33

Kev,
The article is over 5 years old so the information is likely highly antiquated by this point in time.

Jerry Gutierrez
Posted on: Wed, 06/29/2016 - 09:11

Hey brother I'm currently looking to jump into my first ph stack.. Any recommendations?? I want to put on some lean mass if at all possible.. Thank you in advance for the advice

Harry
Posted on: Mon, 09/28/2015 - 16:57

I've cycled pro hormones off and on for years and never lost my gains or strength when I cycled off. Would do 6 weeks on, 6 weeks herbal test boosters, 4 weeks no supplements at all then start again.......I have a 6 week supply of metha-quad extreme (4 kinds of andro in one pill) left. Starting my 6 weeks herbal (pretty much tribulus) now.......

Lee
Posted on: Sat, 09/19/2015 - 06:22

Pro hormones are safe as long as you treat them with respect, no ones mentioned to drink lots and lots of water, im onto my 3rd dose of pro hormones this year and have had no side effects at all, kept all my gains and look better than ever, eat clean drink plenty water take liv-52 and then pct after your finished pro hormones cycle, abuse any thing and you will suffer, drink 10 pints of lager a day u will suffer, eat cakes n biscuits everyday your health will suffer, if we listened to all these do gooders we would have to live in a bubble, ya live once so feck it n so what ya gotta do end of!

lindsay freeman
Posted on: Fri, 09/04/2015 - 00:50

i tried erase pro and primal force daa d-aspartic acid for 4 weeks.felt great.went to my doctor for a check up,my blood pressure has gone from 130/77 to 173/88 i was shocked.i will never use any of that stuff again.now have to wait to see if the blood pressure comes back to normal.totally not worth it.

ChrisT
Posted on: Mon, 04/27/2015 - 08:54

I have tried prohormone before... not worth it trust me! The side effects are powerful and long lasting.

Guest
Posted on: Tue, 07/21/2015 - 13:35

Most likely your all sheep who bought into "prohormones" that were actually designers.... look up real prohormones theyre the bees knees!

John Bradley
Posted on: Mon, 04/13/2015 - 09:11

I too have tried prohormones before and have experience the prohormone side effects first hand. Totally not worth it, you lose the gains you make within 4-5 weeks of cycling off them. The best prohormones are hard ass training, good nutrition and creatine/beta alanine/protein. Some natural test boosters do work, although they're not as strong as the real prohormones. I use APE and it's solid.

https://www.muscleandstrength.com/store/ape.html

Don't waste your time with prohormones. There's no short cuts, just train your ass off and keep those hard earned gains for life.

Dave
Posted on: Wed, 04/08/2015 - 10:06

I can say first hand the prohormone side effects are not worth it. I did a couple of cycles of prohormones a few years ago and gained a lot of muscle. But I also had bad prohormone side effects like acne, shriveled ballsack, mood swings, red in the face etc. Not only that, is that the prohormone gains are impossible to keep without using more or moving onto steroids. I Gained about 20 pounds in 2 months and lost at all in the following months. Since then I have stayed off the prohormones and gained over 42lbs of natural muscle and kept it. I just trained hard, eat the right foods and used a simple supplement stack. My stack was protein, creatine, BCAAs, fish oil, multivitamin and occasionally a pre workout if I was training in the mornings. Long term, prohormones are not worth it.

Matt
Posted on: Tue, 04/07/2015 - 12:07

This is a good articles. It's good to seem someone NOT promoting prohormones. I have been a natural athlete all my life with pretty average genetics and I wanted to say that it can be done, all you need if hard work and discipline. Don't take prohormones, you're better off getting the real stuff if you want to go that route. Unless you're competing though, prohormones/steroids are not worth the side effects.

Jay
Posted on: Thu, 08/16/2012 - 02:26

Hi Steve,
I am very skinny & have been working out for almost 6 months now. Recently I have seen an advertisement about "Universal Nutrition ZMA Pro Hormone Support Supplement".
Is it a steroid??? I am 22yrs old now with 5'11" height & 65kgs weight. Can I take this supplement???? Please help me.

Zack
Posted on: Sat, 08/01/2015 - 16:30

Dude, did you even read the article? He said he doesnot recommend it. You're young and your testosterone is great already. You don't need anything extra

Scott
Posted on: Wed, 08/15/2012 - 21:47

This is a great article. It also is TRUE. I have been experiencing significant gains in size and strength on pro-hormones at the expense of my cholesterol going up to 240 when it was normal. My testosterone level should be 240 or higher. Guess what, it is a ten. I have no sex drive. Absolutely none. I began to get dizzy, lethargic, not balance, edgy, and breathing heavier. I finally went to my doctor to get blood work done and told him what was going on. I just got the results today. Thankfully, they caught this in time. I have to see a Eurologist. It is not worth the risk. I am extremely disapointed in myself. I went from being a solid 236 pounds to 250 pounds. However, it was not worth it. Thanks for the great article.

Chris
Posted on: Sun, 08/12/2012 - 22:10

Hey Steve I have been working out for 2 years now. Recently I have hit a platue and was looking at test booster and then got introduce to prohormones. I was curious to if test boosters like t bomb and P6 fall into the prohormones category seeing they do have a estrogen blocker in them?

MArio G.
Posted on: Sun, 08/12/2012 - 19:55

Excellent Excellent Article ... God bless y'all!!!

Chris W
Posted on: Wed, 08/01/2012 - 01:06

I did a cycle of PH about 6 months ago for about a month and did not use any PCT. I have noticed sexual impotency issues. Is there anything I can take to get my levels back on track?

Dave
Posted on: Wed, 04/08/2015 - 13:23

This should come back in time. Just another reason why not to use prohormones due to side effects. Just train hard, eat the right foods and use basic staple supps.

Victor O
Posted on: Mon, 07/30/2012 - 04:05

Hey steve, im 5,8 230lbs im taking super hd with iso flex protein shake post workout and thinking of taking A-HD testosterone booster by bp is it good to take or what do you think or recomend for a 20 year old like myself?

noel culligan
Posted on: Sun, 06/17/2012 - 19:10

Hi Steve,Im thinking about doing a d-aspartic acid +pes erase,stack,both prod at the same time,Im 5'11'' 180lbs fairly lean,I just want to add size,loose som fat.Diet and workout are solid,any input would be a help,thanks

simon lynton
Posted on: Wed, 06/13/2012 - 03:47

Hi, was miss informed too,didnt realise ph was steriods, i took a 8 week cycle with natadrol and md1, coupl of bottles of each and a bottle of mvv3, had massive gains, put on a stone of solid mass, i emailed my supplier and asked if these were like steroids,he said they were nothing like steroids so i continued my cycle, im now on pct using formadrol,zma,dda and tribulas and milk thistle, my weight has stayed same but noticed my muscle mass shrinking slightly. Also seem to feel bloated and have a pot belly a little, its not fat belly but it looks bloated. After reading your article i wish i never used ph at all. Please can you help which road to go down next to get me back on the right track and should i carry on with my pct for6 weeks .?? Kind regards Sy

Anthony
Posted on: Thu, 05/31/2012 - 16:22

Hey steve,I am a college football player desperately trying to pack on a about 10-15lbs
I currently take elite gourmet whey protein, fish oil, and gnc mega men supplements. I also consume between 4000-5000 calories a day. This isn't doing much help what would be something legal and safe for me to take to give this process a much needed boost, right now i'm 5'8" 186lbs. please help.

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Steven
Posted on: Fri, 06/01/2012 - 09:36

If you're not gaining weight you simple need to eat more. It's all about the calories.

nope
Posted on: Wed, 05/23/2012 - 09:12

Erase and D-AA is all you need. D-AA is proven to increase tesosterone, but you also get a hike in estrogen - so, take an AI like erase and you get the free test to burn! Best of all, damn safe.

harold
Posted on: Sun, 08/26/2012 - 08:44

Will everyone please listen to this man! Lol these two product are so much safer,cheaper, and effective.

Ross
Posted on: Sun, 05/20/2012 - 05:18

Thanks man, great read. I was on the fence about PH and have been strongly considering them for the past few months. I have chosen to stick to the natural route. You are a life saver my man. I will remember this.

david
Posted on: Fri, 05/04/2012 - 03:00

Thanks for posting this, my friend convinced me into taking ph's because he uses them and after reading this article i immediately threw out the rest what is left in the bottle. It's unfortunate i did not come across this forum prior to taking the pills at all. I've been lifitng for about 3 years now and liked the thought of soemthign giving me a new edge, which is what intially motivated me to take ph's. Im still looking for something effective but not at the risk of my health or other factors. So i hope that ZMA is as effective and as healthy as you claim.

dan
Posted on: Wed, 05/02/2012 - 05:27

Hi..thanks for the advice. I was going to try pro hormones but decided against it. I already take cholesterol & H.B.P. meds....Not a good thing to mess with the liver. I dont have a problem with strength. With creatine & nos booster I get pretty good gains. I was wondering if their are any natural supplements to help with weight loss besides sewing my mouth shut.

nick
Posted on: Tue, 05/01/2012 - 19:00

Hey Steve, great article. I just had one question.. Regarding the decrease in the libido and whole "diamond cutter" thing, will your libido return to its normal pre-cycle level? and will your testosterone raise to thier regular leves aswell? this stuff doesnt sound worth it! but just wondering,

ricky
Posted on: Thu, 03/22/2012 - 05:13

Hey i have a question. i was taking all natural stuff for years but recently my buddy mentioned some underground Pro hormone supplement he recommended. i took it once. But immediately did research to find out what i just put in my body. I have decided not to continue with it after reading numerous articles. Which brings me to my question. Will having taken one pill one time effect me negatively in any way? i really need to know im already not going to continue but i need know if i have already done damage.

Ronan
Posted on: Fri, 05/11/2012 - 09:54

If its a stronger substance ,like what you would find in Superdrol, then you may already be shut down.It rally depends on the product.Methlayed compounds take a little longer to kick in whereas one that directly stimulate androgen receptors can take a few days.

Look at the back of the bottle at the chemical compound and type it into google.If any of the products its present in come back as being a clone of superdrol then get yourself to an endocrinologist pronto.

Rusty
Posted on: Mon, 02/13/2012 - 22:09

So, in laymans terms... if the post cycle stuff helps you...and the regular cycle stuff hurts you...wouldn't it be better to take natural testosterone booster, and the legal SERM, along with protien and creatine supplements, would that at all negatively affect my body? And would that give me quicker 'healthy' gains compared to not being on anything?

Sam
Posted on: Tue, 01/24/2012 - 02:35

Crap D: I just got a new bottle of pro hormones today. And found this article researching cycle techniques. Now im extremely discouraged to use it. My first cycle was from october 5th till november 5th 2010. I went from 5'10 194lbs 8% body fat, to 5'10 208 6% body fat within that month through extremely proper diet and a serious lifting and cardio regiment. Today is January 24th 2012 my PCT ended around christmas time I am 5'10 201 6% body fat. I did lose some mass but i kept most of it. As for sexual impotence, It definitely hit me as soon as i got off of it. I didn't know that the PH was causing it though. It's all back to normal and i did retain the majority of my mass. I am currently on natrual test boosters as part of my lifting regiment. Thanks alot for this article though... D": i cannot risk to lose my manhood over a few pounds of muscle mass... I got lucky the first cycle. Whose to say it wont be permanant next time around. I think ill toss this bottle. :C

Gary
Posted on: Fri, 12/30/2011 - 22:21

To all the people who are 17-18 years old stop doing prohormones. You are in your prime and you are messing with your hormones. Wait till you are at least at your potential.
Messing with your endocrine is not a decision you want to make at 17-18.

Big Muscle Girl
Posted on: Wed, 11/30/2011 - 21:15

PH is so tempting to many people and when you go on you tube and look up muscular guys or girls, you know if you've been training long enough, who's on it and who isn't. It becomes disheartening when a physique year round, that you wish you could achieve, was manufactured under PH use =(. I mean you see it, as you said, when they come off of it years down the road, still lifting but are way smaller!

Anyways good article and good read. Thanks for providing this clear cut info.

jason jack
Posted on: Wed, 11/09/2011 - 20:19

this articl pretty much hits the nail on the head great article, all ph's are a falsehood in your body and it does more damage than gains. ive used ph's and can vouge for the crashes and swollen nipples. yet i didnt quite get bitch tits 3 of my friends did 1 had to get surgery to remove the fatty tissue it left prior to use and the other 2 are on a natural suppliment sarsaprilla root trying to reverse the gyno effect. but great article keep it all natural

derrick
Posted on: Tue, 11/08/2011 - 22:37

Hi steve this aricle was exactly wat i needed. Im 26 and im an all natrual lifter who adamently disagrees with the use of steroids. I was completely miss informed of wat prohormones were but i would never but any thing in my body with out the proper research. Your article was more than enough to make up my mind. But on the other hand I've recently noticed significant decreases in my gains in the past couple weeks. I have a new daughter and have been working a ton but i refuse to miss days. I work out with high intentsity and shoot for new gains every week. I had know idea that lack of rest can effect my tetostrone levels; so is there any kind of natrual test booster or stack that safe and not borderline steroids that would help me break through this plateau. Again thank you so much for sharing your knowledge its much appreciated.

James
Posted on: Thu, 09/22/2011 - 17:18

Hey there, I'm a 41 year old grandfather and have the last six years go pretty rough for me..let me start with back in 2005 I was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis and would end up in the hospital for one to two weeks at a time at first once a month the a year later twice a month .. Im not a drinker or really never was didn't use drugs ...after exhausting GI doctors and such they told me my case was idiopathic ..so in 2010 my surgeon sent me to Houston for a autologous islet cell transplant which in short they take out pancreas and spleen and harvest the cells that make insulin and transplant into my liver hoping that the liver later will regulate insulin..my question is that before my medical problems I was 294 lbs. Very strong and athletic.. Now I'm thinly build and 164lbs. I need help and advice because I'm very week and seems like my muscles are disappearing my friends want me to try pro hormones but I'm scared ..I'm on a meal replacement protien cuz I don't have enzymes from my pancreas to break down fat ..I just want to build inner strength and lean muscle ..thanx for letting me bend your ear...James r.