First Cycle Planning While on HGH + Retatrutide – Need Input

[risingmuscle]

Hey everyone,

Looking for advice from experienced users on setting up my first cycle and PCT properly, especially since I already have a few compounds in play.

Background:

• 6 ft, 202 lbs, ~16% body fat
• Started at 238 lbs about a year ago
• Consistent training, clean diet, vitamins

Current setup (started Feb 25):

• No AAS yet
• HGH: 3 IU twice daily (6 IU total/day)
• Retatrutide: 4 mg
• Klow peptides: 20 IU

So far things have been going well, and I wanted to give my body some time to adjust before adding anything else.

Now I’m considering starting my first cycle, but I want to do it in a controlled and smart way—not just throw everything in at once.

Planned cycle (open to adjusting):

• Testosterone (E or C) as a base
• Considering adding Primobolan (not sure if I should include it for a first cycle)
• Pinning twice a week
• Already running HGH, so unsure how that changes things
• Considering IGF-1 LR3 later, but not set on it

What I really need help with:

Cycle structure

• Should I run Test only for a first cycle and keep it simple?
• If adding Primo, better from the start or introduce later?

Timing

• Since I started HGH/retatrutide on Feb 25, when would be a good time to introduce Test?

HGH + retatrutide

• Is 6 IU/day HGH too much to run alongside a first cycle?
• Any concerns combining HGH + retatrutide + adding AAS?

On-cycle support

• I have HCG — how should I run it during the cycle?

PCT

• What do I need besides HCG? (Clomid, Nolvadex, etc.)
• When should I start PCT after last injection?
• Best way to recover after ~12–16 week cycle?

General

• Is this overall setup too much for a first cycle?
• What would you simplify?

Goals:

• Lean muscle gain
• Stay relatively dry
• Improve overall aesthetics while keeping results sustainable

Appreciate real-world advice — trying to do this the right way.

 

[Zamun]

500 test

/thread


No need to add other bullshit like primo. I don’t understand the point of running GH without anabolics to begin with, but you do you.

If you can eat good on the Reta keep it, if not then drop it or you’re just wasting the anabolics.

 

[risingmuscle]

500 test

/thread


No need to add other bullshit like primo. I don’t understand the point of running GH without anabolics to begin with, but you do you.

If you can eat good on the Reta keep it, if not then drop it or you’re just wasting the anabolics.

test e or test c and how many times a week ?

 

[Zamun]

test e or test c and how many times a week ?

They’re interchangeable. E might hurt more than c.

2x a week is fine for most.

 

[risingmuscle]

you mean 250mg + 250mg? both have the same effect?

 

[SouthernMuscle]

you mean 250mg + 250mg? both have the same effect?

How old are you? READ SOME THREADS

and while you’re at it, the rules. Nobody here is going to design a “cycle” for you.

 

[Klax]

Have you tried to just research stuff? Just pin 500mg test and lift/eat. It's not that complicated. And PCT? Do people still PCT in 2026?

 

[risingmuscle]

I am 35

How old are you? READ SOME THREADS

and while you’re at it, the rules. Nobody here is going to design a “cycle” for you.

I am 35 I don’t want do design completely just to share with community it I am going to right direction

 

[Sully1234]

Have you tried to just research stuff? Just pin 500mg test and lift/eat. It's not that complicated. And PCT? Do people still PCT in 2026?

That gave me a good chuckle.

 

[SouthernMuscle]

I am 35

I am 35 I don’t want do design completely just to share with community it I am going to right direction

The questions you’ve asked in this thread indicate that you’ve done zero reading on the subjects

You obviously have extremely limited knowledge about what you’re trying to accomplish and you’re trying to get the information in what is arguably the laziest way possible

Use the search function on this site. Read some threads. You’d have had the answers to everything you asked in less than 10min of searching and reading.

 

[tommyguns2]

Pinning twice per week is fine. I'd pick Test C, as test E can sometimes cause injection discomfort (PIP - post injection pain).

The HGH is fine. It's a bit high a dose to start out, but it won't hurt. HCG is fine as well. Run it at 500IU, 1x/week.

We don't really do PCT anymore. Anecdotally, it just doesn't really do much of anything, and is just more drugs, and not ones that are very healthy for you. Just remember that post-cycle is a very important time. Keep the diet strict, clean, and keep the intensity up in the gym. You'll still have a decent amount of test floating in your system for another 4 weeks or so post cycle, so keep working hard. You can still continue to make good progress then.

The diet is key. You want a solid caloric surplus (e.g., 500 cals/day).

Reta is great if it doesn't negatively affect your appetite. 4mg/week seems a little high, but if you can keep the clean calories high, it's nice to have in there.

 

[musclemuscle]

Get some baseline bloods.

It's not a popular opinion but I think you should start lower with test especially if this is your first cycle. Maybe 250 to 300mg, you should be able to make good gains on that for a few cycles if your training and diet is on point. Bodybuilding is a marathon and you can always add more test later, try to determine the minimum effective dose and exhaust that amount before increasing.
This lower amount will still have you supraphysiological and allow you to determine how your body reacts to exogenous test as far as e2 management and sides...
Starting at 500mg reminds me of the old advice of a dbol Kickstart and 500mg/wk for a first time cycle lol massive water gains for a newbie

 

[Spanks McGee]

I'd agree. Learn how you respond to test alone first, physically, mentally, and in blood work. Start with a lower amount of test as mentioned above. You can always increase your dose later. Once you understand how you handle test at your desired dose, then you can add another compound like Primo.

 

[MichiganHater]

Get some baseline bloods.

It's not a popular opinion but I think you should start lower with test especially if this is your first cycle. Maybe 250 to 300mg, you should be able to make good gains on that for a few cycles if your training and diet is on point. Bodybuilding is a marathon and you can always add more test later, try to determine the minimum effective dose and exhaust that amount before increasing.
This lower amount will still have you supraphysiological and allow you to determine how your body reacts to exogenous test as far as e2 management and sides...
Starting at 500mg reminds me of the old advice of a dbol Kickstart and 500mg/wk for a first time cycle lol massive water gains for a newbie

Great advice!

 

[blazencruise]

Get baseline blood work. Don't waste your time with a PCT, either commit longterm to a B&C or don't do it. I made the same mistake. You won't even want to completely come off by the end of the cycle anyways. I started with 500 test and IMO anything less is a waste of time.

You need to do more research as well. I started here: old.reddit.com/r/steroids/wiki/index

 

[Swifto]

250mg every 5 days.

If you dont mind injections and want to keep levels stable, 0.2ml per day (50mg/ED / 350mg/wk).

Get a full baseline blood panel done before you start and fertility test.

 

[risingmuscle]

250mg every 5 days.

If you dont mind injections and want to keep levels stable, 0.2ml per day (50mg/ED / 350mg/wk).

Get a full baseline blood panel done before you start and fertility test.

250mg test e per week and what about 0.2ml and 50mg/ed

 

[risingmuscle]

I have very confused how to run my cycle there are many different opinions. I know what I have to use I am confused about dosage. I will definitely do my blood work before I have subscribed rhythm lab test monthly subscription will do every 4 weeks I will start we test then add primo and at the end Winstrol and will carry hcg until start pct.

I am okay for injecting but I just want less poking my self but few people saying inject every 3.5 days to have test stable. My test is 250mg ml and 100mg /ml primo.‘I have heard that primo dose should be little more then test and I have to run it for a good time to get its results

 

[TEHL]

Hey everyone,

Looking for advice from experienced users on setting up my first cycle and PCT properly, especially since I already have a few compounds in play.

Background:

• 6 ft, 202 lbs, ~16% body fat
• Started at 238 lbs about a year ago
• Consistent training, clean diet, vitamins

Current setup (started Feb 25):

• No AAS yet
• HGH: 3 IU twice daily (6 IU total/day)
• Retatrutide: 4 mg
• Klow peptides: 20 IU

So far things have been going well, and I wanted to give my body some time to adjust before adding anything else.

Now I’m considering starting my first cycle, but I want to do it in a controlled and smart way—not just throw everything in at once.

Planned cycle (open to adjusting):

• Testosterone (E or C) as a base
• Considering adding Primobolan (not sure if I should include it for a first cycle)
• Pinning twice a week
• Already running HGH, so unsure how that changes things
• Considering IGF-1 LR3 later, but not set on it

What I really need help with:

Cycle structure

• Should I run Test only for a first cycle and keep it simple?
• If adding Primo, better from the start or introduce later?

Timing

• Since I started HGH/retatrutide on Feb 25, when would be a good time to introduce Test?

HGH + retatrutide

• Is 6 IU/day HGH too much to run alongside a first cycle?
• Any concerns combining HGH + retatrutide + adding AAS?

On-cycle support

• I have HCG — how should I run it during the cycle?

PCT

• What do I need besides HCG? (Clomid, Nolvadex, etc.)
• When should I start PCT after last injection?
• Best way to recover after ~12–16 week cycle?

General

• Is this overall setup too much for a first cycle?
• What would you simplify?

Goals:

• Lean muscle gain
• Stay relatively dry
• Improve overall aesthetics while keeping results sustainable

Appreciate real-world advice — trying to do this the right way.

I think that you need to study a lot more about peds. You are on the wrong way. Completely wrong.

Once you have the basics, do some smart questions here.

People can't tell you the basics.... Because it's what you really need.

Start from TRT at least.