As far as a thickening of blood is concerned....yes, you might want to stop.
Your comment above....no
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8735789/
(notice Brian its not your usual website 'research article'....this is the actual research)
I am actually familiar with that study. There is a difference between general aas and testosterone they do not all effect collagen the same way. Winstrol and Deca and Test are not the same. Also while testosterone has a positive correlation initially with collagen synthesis at normal dosages it does not at supraphysiological levels it has an inverse relationship or at least that is what we are seeing n the real world different theories are below. But we know supra levels of test are very dangerous for tendons that is one reason you want to stack with other compounds.
You also start getting into issue of the quality of the structure of the collagen in the tendon and ligaments. I have read studies indicating differences in the physical structure produced between different compounds sometimes it appears cross sectional integrity is lost with additional size and volume. There may be a lot of factors going on here.
Speaking of volume also know that it takes more volume to get blood into tendons and ligaments and connective tissue. I do not want a quick testosterone pump on low reps. I want to work it into the joint with high reps. With too much test you get too much blood pump into the muscle before the tendon is really pumped.
We do not know everything yet but to be cautious for tendons at this point is would be best to reduce testosterone consumption during healing and to stack with other compounds if blasting. Additionally, to increase volume when training connective tissue like tendons and ligaments that need collagen and have low blood flow.
Take a look at this section of their study
Effect of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids on TendonsA widely reported side effect of AAS use is an increased risk of tendon rupture.68,69 Two hypotheses are often described in the literature: (1) AASs have no direct effect on tendons but can induce muscular hypertrophy and increased muscle strength, without associated tendon strengthening, resulting in an increased risk for rupture, or (2) that AASs, in combination with physical exertion, have a deleterious effect on tendon structure and healing.28,69
Preclinical studies in rodents have suggested that AAS use may negatively affect collagen synthesis and matrix metalloproteinase activity, which are both involved in tendon repair and homeostasis.70,71 However, as a recent review noted, investigations to date have produced inconsistent results, and
it is still unclear how AASs influence tendons.69
I want to stay relatively small and weak muscularly so I can improve from a tendon and ligament strength point first. I do not want my pec to outpace my pec tendon right now. Stay small work on quality collagen synthesis and ligament and tendons then blow up on quantity in a few months
Does that make sense?
