Arimidex and its particular uses and properties have been previously outlined. It is used in a variety of different ways within the medical establishment for the treatment of various ailments, with female post-menopausal breast cancer being the primary established indication for Arimidex treatment. However, the context that an anabolic steroid using athlete or bodybuilder is slightly different, and this is what any anabolic steroid user is most concerned with: the proper Arimidex doses for Estrogen control, how to utilize Arimidex doses, and the different manners in which Arimidex doses can be used.
It must first be understood that Arimidex is an aromatase inhibitor, with a wide variety of application in terms of Estrogen control. As an aromatase inhibitor, it holds the ability to exert control over literally all of the potential Estrogenic side effects that anabolic steroid users attempt to avoid or eliminate. The standard protocol (or general rule) for the use of all aromatase inhibitors should be the following:
Attempt to avoid the use of aromatase inhibitors at all costs unless absolutely necessary. If the use of an aromatase inhibitor is necessary, utilize it only when required, and attempt the lowest possible dose for the purpose of Estrogen control rather than Estrogen elimination.
This is extremely important and must be remembered by all readers investigating the use of aromatase inhibitors. The fact of the matter is that the use of aromatase inhibitors, whether it be the three primary AIs (Arimidex, Aromasin, and Letrozole) or any others, will exert negative effects on the body if utilized when they are either unneeded, or when they are utilized too much at Arimidex dosages that are too high.
Remember that the reason for the use of an aromatase inhibitor should at all times be for the purpose of Estrgen control rather than Estrogen elimination, as the complete and total reduction of all Estrogen levels in the body can and does result in deleterious effects on the human body. This will be further explained in the side effects portion of this profile, but a general description is that these compounds (aromatase inhibitors) deprive the body of a very important hormone (Estrogen) that is important for various essential bodily functions at normal physiological levels.
Medical Arimidex Dosage
Within the medical establishment, Arimidex is primarily utilized as an adjunctive drug for the treatment of post-menopausal female breast cancer whereby Estrogen is the prime culprit and aggravator. Prescription Arimidex dosages in such instances are 1mg daily indefinitely until the progression of breast cancer has ceased
Arimidex Dosages During Anabolic Steroid Use
Arimidex in particular cannot be categorized into the three tiers of users (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) as normally outlined and listed in common profiles of the different compounds and drugs. This is due to the fact that Arimidex is an ancillary drug not particularly used for the purpose of performance enhancement, but instead is utilized to combat or mitigate various Estrogen-related side effects when aromatizable anabolic steroids are utilized. In some instances, Arimidex doses might possibly also be utilized to increase the endogenous Testosterone secretion in men, which allows this compound to be utilized as an ancillary medication during PCT (Post Cycle Therapy) phases following the end of an anabolic steroid cycle, but its use on its own for this purpose is not very common and is unlikely to produce noticeable performance enhancing effects.
For the purpose of Estrogen control during a cycle: Arimidex can be effectively utilized to reduce levels of circulating Estrogen in the body during a cycle involving the use of aromatizable androgens (anabolic steroids that have an affinity to bind to the aromatase enzyme and undergo aromatization into Estrogen). Arimidex dosages for this purpose cover a very wide range, and how much Arimidex is required how often is also largely dependent on the doses of aromatizable anabolic steroids used, the individual’s sensitivity to aromatase inhibitors, and the rate of aromatization of the anabolic steroids used. With this being said, the general range of Arimidex doses are 0.5 – 1mg daily. There is much leeway when it comes to this, as each individual should slowly adjust their dose depending on how they feel the body is responding. Even 0.5mg daily is too much for many anabolic steroid users, and often times the recommended dose is actually 0.5mg every other day of Arimidex. These Arimidex doses can easily be adjusted if the user feels it is not working well enough, or if it is reducing Estrogen levels too much.
Always remember that the idea with the use of aromatase inhibitors is to control Estrogen levels and bring them back to normal physiological levels as opposed to the complete reduction and/or elimination of them, which will cause problems in the body.
Female Arimidex Dosages
Female anabolic steroid users seldom need to worry about rising Estrogen levels, but for those that are competitive bodybuilders that must eliminate the water retention associated with Estrogen that causes the unwanted bloating, the use of an aromatase inhibitor such as Arimidex might be necessary. It is important to remember that medically, Arimidex is approved for use in post-menopausal females only, who possess a very different shift in hormone levels compared to pre-menopausal females. Because medical data has suggested that Arimidex is far more effective in females than males (80% average reduction in Estrogen versus 50% respectively), Arimidex doses of 0.5mg daily should suffice and in fact often times become too much, in which case the individual might feel the need to adjust to 0.5mg every other day or even 0.5mg once every two days.
Arimidex Dosage for Increased Endogenous Testosterone Secretion and PCT (Post Cycle Therapy)
It has been previously mentioned that Arimidex use has been shown to raise the endogenous production of Testosterone levels in men. This is through the negative feedback loop of the HPTA (Hypothalamic Pituitary Testicular Axis), whereby it has been found that excess Estrogen in men can and does suppress the output of endogenous Testosterone, leading to hypogonadism[1]. Arimidex in particular in many studies has demonstrated to hold the capability to raise Testosterone levels through the reduction of Estrogen. One particular study evaluated 12 males that were administrated with Arimidex doses of 0.5mg and 1mg for 10 weeks, and the study concluded that, among various hormonal alterations due to Arimidex administration, there was a 58% increase in serum Testosterone levels in the test subjects[2]. In this study, LH (Luteinizing Hormone) and FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) had also increased, which are the two important gonadotropins that signal the testes to begin production of Testosterone.
One can easily conclude, based on the data provided, that Arimidex should be an effective addition to the necessary increases in Testosterone required during the post-cycle weeks following cessation of anabolic steroid use. There is one issue with the addition of Arimidex in a PCT program that includes the use of SERMs such as Nolvadex and Clomid, which are known as absolutely essential components to a PCT program. The problem is that Arimidex and Nolvadex both directly counteract one another. One study has demonstrated that when Arimidex is utilized with Nolvadex, Nolvadex will decrease blood plasma concentration of Arimidex (as well as Letrozole, another commonly used aromatase inhibitor)[3].
The conclusion here is that the use of Arimidex and Nolvadex together is a very bad idea. Therefore, Arimidex’s use as a PCT component is very limited if used in conjunction with Nolvadex. Instead, its use with HCG might be more beneficial, but this also presents the problem of the essential component of a SERM for the purpose of endogenous Testosterone stimulation being absent. Therefore, a better aromatase inhibitor choice for PCT instead of Arimidex would be Aromasin (Exemestane), because unlike Arimidex, Aromasin has it has not been demonstrated have its effectiveness eliminated by Nolvadex as shown in studies[4].
Proper Administration and Timing of Arimidex Dosages
There are no special considerations with administration of Arimidex doses, and it can be taken at any time of the day (morning, night time, before, during, or after meals).
One important note to make with Arimidex is that a full week (7 days) is required before blood plasma levels of Arimidex have reached its optimal peak level, although its half-life is approximately 48 hours[5].
Expectations and Results from Arimidex Dosages
Arimidex will reduce Estrogen levels by a great deal in individuals, and Arimidex users must be cautious to ensure that these Estrogen levels do not plummet too low to be considered healthy. As Estrogen levels reduce, the physique may take on more of a harder ‘grainier’ and ‘ripped’ look due to the loss of water retention provided by Estrogen. This results in very little to no subcutaneous fluid, which will present the underlying musculature more prominently. The one exception to the issue of complete Estrogen elimination is in competitive bodybuilders that require almost total elimination of water retention on the competition day. In such a situation, an aromatase inhibitor such as Arimidex might be utilized by a competitive athlete at higher doses only days leading up to a competition for the physique altering reasons previously stated. Near-total reduction of Estrogen should not be maintained for more than a 48 hour period for health reasons.
Medical References:
[1] “Dangers of Excess Estrogen In the Aging Male”. Faloon, William. Life Extension Magazine, November 2008.
[2] Estrogen suppression in males: metabolic effects. Mauras N; O’Brien KO; Klein KO; Hayes V. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2000 Jul;85(7):2370-7 (ISSN: 0021-972X)
[3] Comparative clinical pharmacology and pharmacokinetic interactions of aromatase inhibitors. Boeddinghaus IM, Dowsett M. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2001 Dec;79(1-5):85-91.