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Are there different drugs for different competitions? Does the compounds used by athletes in Men’s Physique differ from the Classic Physique and Open?

I am never really satisfied with my physique or appearance anymore. I just feel i have hit a plateau all the time and there is no progress. The weight marker just doesn’t move or am i just overthinking everything?

For those who use Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs), maintaining vigilant health monitoring throughout the year is crucial. This is especially true during different phases of your regimen—whether you're on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), cruising, or engaging in more intense ‘blasting’ phases where stress levels peak. Here’s a structured approach to keeping tabs on your health, ensuring you track the right biomarkers to safeguard your well-being. We will explore key health markers you should monitor, the frequency of testing, and why these indicators are vital. 1. Bloodwork: Minimum Essential Markers: Sex Hormone Panel: Essential for monitoring hormonal balance. This includes: - Testosterone (free and total, LC/MS assay) - Estradiol (sensitive, LC/MS assay) - Progesterone - Prolactin - SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) Thyroid Panel: Critical for metabolic health. Include: - TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) - Free T3 - Free T4 - Reverse T3 Insulin Sensitivity: To gauge metabolic function: - HbA1c - HOMA-IR (or fasted insulin and fasted blood glucose) Prostate Health: Monitor for early signs of prostate issues: - PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen, free and total) IGF-1: Important for growth and metabolic function. Lipid Panel: Evaluates cardiovascular risk: - HDL, LDL, triglycerides, VLDL, total cholesterol, LDL subfractions Blood Panel: Provides a comprehensive view of your blood health: - HCT, HMG, MCH, MCHC, MCV, RDW, red cell count, MPV, platelet count, white cell count, immature granulocyte count Kidney Function: Monitors renal health: - eGFR, urea, creatinine Liver Function: Assesses liver health: - ALT, AST, bilirubin, BUN, albumin, GGT Metabolic Panel: For overall metabolic balance: - Calcium, potassium, carbon dioxide, protein (ferritin), sodium Vitamin D: Essential for bone health and immune function: - Vitamin D (25-hydroxy) Inflammatory Marker: Helps identify chronic inflammation:

The increase in popularity of SARMs without an understanding of the risk profile has allowed them to be coined as the ideal first exposure for the female PED user. Firstly, SARMS haven’t been approved for human use. You can’t be informed if you don’t understand the risk profile of the compound in question. In one cohort study they showed that SARMs are no more beneficial than AAS but carry a much LARGER risk profile on much smaller dosages. SARMs did provide some promise as they seem to be more tissue selective than AAS on a mg/kg comparison… but again this does not translate to the escalated dosages seen in common recreational practice and just like AAs this selectivity is lost at higher dosages. SARMs much like AAS will still cause suppression of the HPG axis. It produces a similar negative input on the feedback loop suppressing natural hormone production for a lesser return on the investment. There isn’t a single SARM to date that is approved for human use by the FDA due to risks such as acute liver damage, decreases in HDL cholesterol, increased cancer risk to name a few. From the current available evidence, the literature suggests that AAS outweigh SARMs in terms of risk profile BUT remember AAS are not without risk either. We have a much more comprehensive understanding of what those risks are in both the short and long term, meaning we can mitigate some of the potential risk by making appropriate informed decisions around protocols and deployment.