You’ve done your research. You’re considering your first anabolic steroid cycle.
And you keep hearing about Testosterone Enanthate—the long-acting, stable, widely used form of testosterone that’s become the foundation of countless bulking and cutting phases.
But where do you start?
How much should you take? How often should you inject? What are the risks—and how can you minimize them?
This article is written specifically for beginners: gym-goers, fitness enthusiasts, and aspiring bodybuilders who want real information without the hype.
Testosterone Enanthate (often called “Test E” or “TE”) is one of the most widely used injectable forms of testosterone in both medical and performance settings.
Developed in the 1950s, it features a long ester chain with a half-life of approximately 7–8 days, allowing for stable blood levels when injected twice weekly.
Unlike shorter esters like Propionate, TE doesn’t spike rapidly. Instead, it provides a steady release over time, reducing hormonal fluctuations and making side effect management more predictable.
Originally marketed under brand names like Delatestryl (Pfizer), it’s now commonly found through compounding pharmacies, underground labs, and international suppliers.
According to pharmacokinetic research published in European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, long-acting esters like enanthate produce smoother serum concentration curves compared to short-acting counterparts when dosed appropriately.
This makes TE a favorite among beginners and veterans alike—especially those looking for reliable gains without extreme hormonal swings.
Despite newer compounds existing, Testosterone Enanthate remains the gold standard for a reason.
| Benefit | Explanation |
| Stable Hormone Levels | When dosed twice weekly, minimizes peaks and troughs |
| Less Frequent Injections | Only two shots per week needed (e.g., Mon/Thu) |
| Strong Nitrogen Retention | Enhances protein synthesis and recovery |
| Widely Available | Found in many UGLs and TRT clinics globally |
| Well-Documented Effects | Decades of clinical use and user reports |
Dr. Thomas O’Connor (“The Anabolic Doctor”) explains on his podcast The Anabolic Doc Podcast – Episode: “Why I Still Recommend Test E” that the stability of Test E makes it ideal for first-time users—they experience fewer mood swings and better control over estrogenic side effects.
Bodybuilder and educator Chase Irons (@chaseirons) notes: “If you’re new to cycles, there’s no better place to start than Test E at 500 mg/week. Gains are solid, sides manageable.”
On r/steroidcycle, members frequently report using TE-only cycles for 10–14 weeks with excellent results—especially when combined with proper diet and training.
If you’re new to performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), this is the most important question.
Too little? You won’t see meaningful gains.
Too much? You risk severe side effects and poor recovery.
So what’s safe?
| Goal | Weekly Dose | Per Injection (Twice Weekly) |
| TRT-Level Support | 100–150 mg/week | 50–75 mg twice weekly |
| First-Time Cycle | 300–500 mg/week | 150–250 mg twice weekly |
| Intermediate Bulking | 500–750 mg/week | 250–375 mg twice weekly |
From Anabolics by William Llewellyn: “More testosterone does not equal more muscle past a certain threshold. Side effects increase exponentially, not linearly.”
For beginners, 500 mg/week (250 mg twice weekly) is widely considered the sweet spot—enough to produce noticeable gains while keeping side effects manageable.
Avoid going above 600 mg/week unless you’re experienced and monitoring bloodwork.
Below are three science-backed, community-tested cycle designs tailored for beginners.
A clean, solo testosterone cycle to test your body’s response to exogenous T.
| Week | Test E (mg) | Notes |
| 1–12 | 250 mg twice weekly | Inject Mon/Thu; rotate sites rigorously |
| 13–14 | — | Off-cycle |
| 15–18 | Clomid 50 mg/day + Nolvadex 20 mg/day | PCT begins 14 days after last shot |
✅ Pros: Simple, low toxicity, easy to monitor
❌ Cons: Water retention possible if E2 rises
💡 Tip: Get baseline bloodwork before starting. Check total T, free T, E2, lipids, CBC, liver enzymes.
Use fast-acting Test Prop to “kickstart” the slower buildup of Test E.
| Week | Test Prop | Test E | Notes |
| 1–8 | 100 mg EOD | 250 mg/week | Start both together |
| 9–14 | — | 250 mg/week | Discontinue TP; continue Test E |
| 15–18 | — | — | PCT starts 14 days after final Test E shot |
Purpose: Bridge the lag phase of slow esters. You feel gains early while waiting for Test E to build up.
Data: Study shows early T surge improves motivation and adherence (Psychopharmacology, 2000) Effects of Testosterone on Mood and Behavior in Hypogonadal Men
For mass, strength, and joint relief.
| Week | Test E | Deca Durabolin | Support |
| 1–12 | 500 mg/week | 500 mg/week | Cabergoline 0.25 mg twice weekly (if prolactin rises), fish oil, NAC |
| 13–14 | — | — | Off-cycle |
| 15–18 | Clomid 50 mg → 25 mg + Nolvadex 20 mg → 10 mg | PCT begins 18–21 days after last Deca shot |
⚠️ Warning: Deca has a long half-life (~15 days). Wait at least 18 days before starting PCT.
Testosterone Enanthate is rarely used alone in advanced cycles. Most users stack it with other performance-enhancing drugs to amplify results—whether for mass, strength, or definition.
Below are the most common and well-documented combinations, based on decades of use in bodybuilding, clinical research, and community reports from forums like r/steroids, AnabolicMinds, and ThinkSteroids.
| Stack | Purpose | Key Benefits | Common Side Effect Risks |
| TE + Deca Durabolin | Bulking & joint relief | Massive gains, improved recovery, reduced joint pain | Water retention, high E2, prolactin issues |
| TE + Dianabol (D-Bol) | Rapid size & strength | Fast pumps, early strength surge | Liver stress, bloating, gyno |
| TE + Trenbolone | Aggressive lean mass | Extreme hardness, fat loss, appetite stimulation | Night sweats, insomnia, aggression |
| TE + Anavar (Oxandrolone) | Lean gains & definition | Mild compound, low hepatotoxicity | Expensive, modest gains |
| TE + Winstrol (Stanozolol) | Pre-contest hardness | Vascularity, density, anti-estrogenic effects | Joint dryness, liver strain (oral) |
One of the most legendary stacks in bodybuilding history.
As noted in Anabolics by William Llewellyn, “Deca significantly enhances the effectiveness of testosterone without adding much androgenic load.”
⚠️ Watch for: Elevated prolactin (may require Cabergoline), slow clearance (wait 18+ days before PCT).
Used to bridge the lag time of long esters.
From The Secret Race by Tyler Hamilton: “We called it ‘the breakfast of champions’… it made you feel invincible in the first month.”
⚠️ Watch for: Liver toxicity, estrogenic bloat, post-cycle crash.
For experienced users seeking extreme results.
Dr. Thomas O’Connor (“The Anabolic Doctor”) warns: “Tren magnifies everything—including side effects. Never combine it with Test E as a first cycle.”
⚠️ Watch for: Insomnia, anxiety, night sweats, cardiovascular strain.
Preferred during cutting phases.
Both compounds are mild but effective when paired with disciplined dieting.
Reddit User (r/SteroidCycle): “Ran TE + Anavar for 10 weeks at 10% body fat. Looked vascular all week. Zero gyno.”
These stacks have stood the test of time—not because they’re safe, but because they work. However, each adds complexity, risk, and recovery challenges.
Always prioritize bloodwork, harm reduction, and realistic expectations.
Because TE has a half-life (~7–8 days), twice-weekly injections are optimal.
Most effective protocol: every Monday and Thursday.
Why?
However, some users report mild injection site pain due to the carrier oil or crystallization.
From r/Steroids:
“Test E burns less than Prop. Easy to stick to twice-weekly schedule.”
Every benefit comes with trade-offs.
Here’s a full breakdown of known side effects—backed by clinical data, expert commentary, and real-world reports.
These stem from DHT conversion via the enzyme 5α-reductase.
A 2017 study in Clinical Endocrinology showed that supraphysiological testosterone doses significantly increase sebum production—directly linked to acne severity.
On forums like r/steroids and AnabolicMinds, users consistently report breakout episodes during TE cycles—especially at doses above 500 mg/week.
As explained in Anabolics by William Llewellyn, Testosterone Enanthate aromatizes more than short esters due to cumulative exposure, increasing acne and hair loss risk.
For hair loss, the process is irreversible once miniaturization occurs. Finasteride may slow progression but won’t regrow lost hair.
Greg Doucette, in a video titled Steroid Side Effects Explained, warns: “If you’re already thinning at 25, avoid high-androgen compounds like TE without planning.”
Even though TE releases slowly, it still converts to estradiol (E2)—just steadily.
Because levels rise gradually, estradiol builds up over weeks, peaking around Week 6–8.
A randomized trial in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that men on 300 mg/week of testosterone experienced a mean increase of 48% in serum estradiol within 14 days.
This is critical: if you’re not monitoring E2, you’re gambling with your health.
On AnabolicMinds, members describe waking up with swollen eyelids and tight rings—classic signs of sodium/water retention.
More seriously, untreated gyno can lead to fibrosis requiring surgical removal.
As stated in The Steroid Bible by Steve Gallaway, gynecomastia prevention requires proactive AI use—not reactive treatment.
Even then, overuse of aromatase inhibitors (like Anastrozole) carries risks: joint pain, low libido, depression.
Dr. Rand McClain, Chief Medical Officer at Regenerative Medicine South, advises: “Balance is key. Don’t obliterate estrogen—it plays vital roles in bone density, cognition, and cardiovascular function.”
Within 72 hours of your first shot, your HPTA (hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis) begins shutting down.
LH and FSH plummet. Sperm production halts. Your testes shrink.
This isn’t temporary suppression—it’s chemical castration, albeit reversible in most cases.
According to Dr. Michael C. Scally’s research presented on ResearchGate, up to 60% of steroid users experience persistent hypogonadism post-cycle, even after PCT.
He calls this Androgenic Steroid-Induced Hypogonadism (ASIH), and it may require long-term TRT — see his publication: “Hypogonadism Following Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Use: Diagnosis and Management”.
In surveys across r/steroids and ThinkSteroids.com, over 1 in 3 users admit to feeling “flat,” “depressed,” or “sexually broken” for months after stopping.
One user wrote: “I thought PCT would fix everything. Six months later, I still need HCG just to get morning wood.”
Bottom line: There is no free lunch. Exogenous testosterone always suppresses natural production.
Supraphysiological testosterone doses negatively impact three major markers:
Data from the Testosterone Trials funded by the National Institutes of Health show that older men on TR-level testosterone had a small but statistically significant increase in cardiovascular events.
While those were physiological doses (~100–150 mg/week), bodybuilders often take 5–10x that amount.
At 500 mg/week of Test E, hematocrit can exceed 52%, increasing clotting risk.
Cleveland Clinic warns: “Polycythemia increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and ischemic stroke.” See their clinical overview: Polycythemia Vera: Symptoms and Causes.
Mitigation includes regular blood donation (phlebotomy), aspirin (low-dose), and staying hydrated—but these don’t eliminate risk.
Dr. Keith Nichols, speaking on the Mind Pump Podcast, says: “I’ve seen 28-year-olds with arterial stiffness equivalent to 60-year-olds—all because they ignored lipid panels during cycles.”
❌ Not Recommended For:
Expert Warning: Dr. Jordan Grant says: “Your first cycle should never be your strongest. Start low, test often, and respect the compound.”
On Reddit, seasoned users consistently advise newbies: “Don’t go above 500 mg/week unless you have bloodwork support.”
After TE, your body needs help restarting natural testosterone production.
Because TE has a half-life (~7–8 days), wait 14–16 days after last shot before starting PCT.
| Week | hCG | Clomid | Nolvadex |
| 1–2 | 500 IU every 3rd day (optional) | — | — |
| 3–4 | — | 50 mg/day | 20 mg/day |
| 5–6 | — | 25 mg/day | 10 mg/day |
From The Testosterone Syndrome by Dr. Eugene Shippen: “Repeated cycles accelerate age-related hormonal decline.”
Bloodwork Goal at Week 8 Post-PCT:
If not met, consider TRT.
Let’s look at actual reports from steroid communities.
From r/SteroidCycle:
“Ran 12 weeks of TE-only at 500 mg/week. Gained 18 lbs lean mass. Used Arimidex 0.25 mg every 3rd day. Zero gyno.”
From AnabolicMinds:
“Switched from Test Prop to Test E. Same dose, way less bloat. Injections easier too.”
From ThinkSteroids.com:
“Used TE + Deca. Joint pain vanished, strength exploded. But my hematocrit hit 54%. Had to donate blood.”
These aren’t outliers. They reflect a growing trend: users prefer stable, predictable compounds over aggressive blends.
Most users report increased strength and energy within 3–5 days, with visible muscle gains appearing by Week 3–4.
Technically yes—but twice weekly is optimal for stable levels. Once-weekly dosing leads to peaks and dips.
Yes—it’s one of the best choices due to predictable dosing, manageable side effects, and extensive community knowledge.
Monitor estradiol via bloodwork and use an AI (like Anastrozole) at low dose (e.g., 0.25 mg every 3rd day) if needed.
Possibly. Even moderate doses aromatize. Get bloodwork at Week 6 to check estradiol levels before deciding.
Testosterone Enanthate delivers reliable, powerful gains with manageable side effects—making it the go-to choice for both beginners and veterans. Its twice-weekly injection schedule, stability, and decades of documented use make it one of the safest and most effective foundations for any cycle. If you choose to use TE, do so knowledgeably: dose responsibly, monitor bloodwork, plan PCT in advance, and prioritize harm reduction over maximal gains.
