I'm finishing up a Test/Deca stack soon and need to dial in my PCT. I know Deca is notorious for being suppressive, and I want to make sure I recover properly. What's the best PCT protocol for this? I'm considering a combination of Clomid and Nolvadex, but I'm not sure about the dosages and timing.
Deca has a long half-life, so you need to be patient. Your PCT should start about 3 weeks after your last Deca injection. A common protocol is Nolvadex at 40mg/day for the first two weeks, then 20mg/day for another two weeks. You can stack this with Clomid at 100mg/day for the first two weeks, then 50mg/day for two weeks.
The timing is crucial, as RecoveryRx said. Deca hangs around for a long time. Also, be aware of Deca-related prolactin issues. If you were running a 19-nor compound, you should also have a prolactin inhibitor like Cabergoline on hand to use during and after the cycle.
Beyond the drugs, focus on your overall wellness. Keep your diet clean, get plenty of sleep, and avoid overtraining. Your body needs to recover and a healthy lifestyle will help you bounce back much faster.
I've had great success with a slightly more aggressive start to PCT after a Deca cycle. I'd suggest running Nolva and Clomid at their higher doses for the first 3 weeks, then tapering down. It really depends on how long your cycle was and what your blood work looks like.
Make sure you're not confusing HCG with a PCT. HCG is for preventing testicular atrophy during the cycle, not for post-cycle recovery. A lot of people mix this up. For Deca, the Clomid/Nolva combo is the standard for a reason.
To add to my previous point, definitely get a comprehensive hormonal panel after your PCT to confirm full recovery. It's the only way to be certain.
Just to clarify, if you ran Test with it, you'll want to start your PCT about 2 weeks after your last Test injection, assuming you were using Test E or C. The Deca ester is longer, so the timing is more critical.