Author Topic: AI/AEs for non-users  (Read 1063 times)

Knives

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AI/AEs for non-users
« on: September 02, 2007, 05:50:33 PM »
Are products like Letrozole, Nolvadex, Armidex, Aromasin, etc.. useful if you're not using them for PCT, or while on cycle?  I've heard that one can grow leaner and better using just them, due to more free testosterone levels and less estrogen in your body...so are they worth using?

RDW

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Re: AI/AEs for non-users
« Reply #1 on: September 03, 2007, 08:49:52 AM »
These ancillaries aren't meant to be used in that fashion but the easy answer is yes, you could use them for that and see a minor change, BUT you need to understand all of the negative side effects of each and be able to identify them if they occur.

Tamaxifen Citrate (Nolvadex)
Many people don't understand how Tamaxifen Citrate actually works.  It is actually a mild estrogen that binds to the receptors in order to occupy them to prevent any aromatized estrogen from being picked up.  If you take it while your body is clear of androgens you are potentially introducing more estrogen than your body would naturally have anyway.  Now, some people have more estrogens than others naturally, this is based on genetics and some other things like how much adipose tissue (adipose tissue [fat] acts as little estrogen factories) one has.  Other than that Tamaxifen doesn't have many common side effects, but it will increase your liver enzymes a bit, not as much as a 17-Alpha-Alkylated steroid, but enough that you wouldn't want to take it for exceptionally long periods of time (more than 20 weeks).  Some of the less common issues include: hypercalcemia, peripheral edema, distaste for food, pruritus vulvae, depression, dizziness, light-headedness, headache, hair thinning and/or partial hairloss and a plethora of possible vaginal issues if taken by females.

Clomiphere Citrate (Clomid)
Clomid is very similar to Tamaxifen, chemically its formula is almost identical allthough the structure is quite a bit different.  Clomid has most of the same (potential) side effects as nolva also, but also includes a number of eye related problems such as blurred vision and even some more serious ones like cataracts, allthough these are rare.

Anastrozole (Arimidex)
Arimidex works by inhibiting the enzyme aromatase, which is responsible for converting androgens into estrogen.  One of the most common side effects of Arimidex is joint pain, it is suggested that long term use can result in arthritis allthough I have not seen any studies that verify this.  High liver enzymes, lethargy and high cholesterol is another common side effect, but luckily AstraZeneca (the people who make Arimidex) make Crestor too! Just kidding your cholesterol levels shouldn't be elevated enough to warrant Crestor or any other cholesterol reducing drug, but if they are allready high this may be a reason to think twice about a regimen of it.

Letrozole (Femara)
Letrozole works like Arimidex and has most of the same side effects such as liver toxicity, joint pain, lethargy, increase in cholesterol.  Long term use may also lead to osteoperosis.

Exemestane (Aromasin)
Aromasin works similarly to Arimidex or Femara except that it is classified as a an irreversible steroidal aromatase inactivator (Type I Aromatase Inhibitor).  These types of drugs form a permanent bond with the aromatase enzyme complex.  Aromasin has most of the same side effect as Femara and Arimidex as well as some more severe (while not very common) cardio vascular side effects.  There have been deaths due to stroke and cardiac failure linked to the use of Aromasin.

Well, I hope this allows you to make your own determination as to whether or not you wish to use them for such purposes.  I would suggest if you desire to do this you stick with Nolvadex, as it has the lowest and lest severe side effect.  I personally don't think you will even notice any positive benefit from it unless you are known to have estrogenic problems while off cycle.

Knives

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Re: AI/AEs for non-users
« Reply #2 on: September 03, 2007, 10:18:02 AM »
Thanks for the info.  Looks like there isn't really any point in using them then, since there are potential negative side effects and not a whole lot of positive ones.

Rimbaud

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Re: AI/AEs for non-users
« Reply #3 on: September 03, 2007, 10:26:09 AM »
The only real point in using them would be maybe for reducing water. However, I think at that point the risks outweigh the benefits.

Overload

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Re: AI/AEs for non-users
« Reply #4 on: September 04, 2007, 02:05:19 PM »
The only real point in using them would be maybe for reducing water. However, I think at that point the risks outweigh the benefits.

For a "real" natural a diuretic would work 10 times better than an Anti-E/I.

8)