Test vs Tren: Which is the Better Steroid? – Inside Bodybuilding

Test (testosterone) and Tren (trenbolone) are two popular anabolic steroids utilized in bodybuilding today. But which one is the best choice for bulking, and can they be stacked together? We reveal the key differences and the similarities based on existing research and our patient’s labs.

Test vs Tren Benefits

Mass Gains

Test and Tren are both very anabolic, although we have found Tren to be a slightly more potent muscle-builder. Tren’s higher androgenic nature also means it will also build more muscle hypertrophy, specifically in the trapezius and deltoid muscles.

Testosterone, however, will cause more overall weight gain than trenbolone due to it causing fluid retention, with tren instead flushing out water.

After a cycle, when water levels normalize, Trenbolone will perhaps cause users to gain an extra 5 pounds in fat-free mass.

Tren will also build muscle faster than popular Test esters, such as cypionate and enanthate, as they are longer esters and thus require more time to kick in.

Fat Loss

It would appear that Tren burns considerably more fat than Test, as users will look more ripped on-cycle. However, this initial appearance is due to Tren’s diuretic effects and testosterone having the aromatase enzyme present, thus causing a smoother appearance to the muscles with some bloating.

Upon cycle cessation, when water levels normalize, fat loss results will be similar. However, Tren may still have an edge due to extra stimulation of the androgen receptors, causing a reduction in adipose tissue. For these reasons, Tren is more commonly used in cutting cycles than Testosterone.

Strength

Test and Tren will significantly increase strength to similar levels. This is a little surprising considering Test promotes greater weight gain, but Tren’s sheer potency means it can rival Test in this regard.

We have seen users add fifty pounds to their main compound lifts when taking testosterone as a first cycle.

Equally, we have seen users add another 20 pounds to their lifts when introducing Tren, even after having a few steroid cycles under their belt.

Test vs Tren Side Effects

We have found Trenbolone’s side effects to be significantly harsher than Testosterone’s. The main concerns we see with patients who have used Tren are cholesterol alterations and testosterone suppression.

Heart Health

Sharp elevations in LDL cholesterol can be experienced on Tren, significantly increasing the risk of MI (myocardial infarction). If we can’t persuade patients to come off Tren, we advise them to take 4 g/day of fish oil, lower their saturated fat intake, and perform regular cardiovascular activity (30 minutes 3–4 times per week). We find this trio to be cardioprotective.

Testosterone will cause some shifts in cholesterol (1); however, we have found these to be mild in conservative dosages when compared to Tren.

Testosterone Suppression

Trenbolone is also more suppressive than Test based on our SHBG tests, so it will need a comprehensive PCT procotol to recover users’ endogenous testosterone levels. Nolvadex and clomid as a duo, used for 30 days, will accelerate this process and normalize the HPTA (hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis). Tesosterone is also suppressive; however, just one of these anti-estrogens is typically sufficient in our experience.

Gynecomastia

Testosterone will cause aromatization (the conversion of testosterone to estrogen), so there is a risk of gynecomastia in sensitive individuals.

Tren does not increase aromatase activity, and thus the risks of gyno are considerably less. However, it is not impossible to develop gyno on Tren, as it raises progesterone levels (another female sex hormone).

We do not recommend using an aromatase inhibitor to combat high levels of estrogen from Test, as we have seen this exacerbate blood pressure based on patient’s lipid profiles (2).

Instead, a SERM (selective estrogen receptor modulator) can be used to block estrogen’s effects at a receptor level, thus not affecting cholesterol levels. We typically prescribe clomid or nolvadex for users particularly susceptible to gynecomastia or those beginning to experience puffy nipples during a cycle.

Nolvadex can also be used to inhibit progesterone’s effects and thus be utilized during Tren cycles.

Hair Loss

Testosterone and Trenbolone are both androgenic steroids on paper and in practice. Thus, accelerated hair loss may be experienced by genetically susceptible individuals via the elevation of DHT levels.

We have seen Tren cause more issues in this regard, with it having 5x the androgenic rating of testosterone.

Some doctors would prescribe a DHT blocker such as finasteride to prevent hair loss during steroid cycles; however, this often results in less muscle and strength gains.

Instead, if a user is troubled by hair loss, we encourage them to avoid androgenic steroids. In this case, Dianabol and Deca Durabolin are more suitable alternatives.

Acne

Individuals with overactive sebaceous glands may be susceptible to acne vulgaris on Test and Tren, with the latter likely to cause more aggravated episdoes. Less androgenic anabolic steroids can help users who are excessively troubled by acne from Test or Tren.

Anxiety

Our patients have reported more psychological effects on Tren vs. Test, which may be attributed to it causing alterations in neurotransmitters due to greater epinephrine production. Consequently, users may be more susceptible to anxiety, depression, or insomnia on Tren.

Can Test and Tren be Stacked Together?

Testosterone is arguably the best anabolic steroid to stack with Trenbolone, as it will further enhance muscle and strength gains without additional liver toxicity and without significantly more cardiovascular strain.

However, due to Tren’s toxicity, it should only be stacked with another steroid by seasoned steroid users who have taken Tren before and can tolerate its side effects. And even then, stacking Trenbolone with another toxic anabolic steroid is a bad idea, such as Winstrol or Anadrol.

Here is a sample cycle of a Test and Tren stack:

Due to Test’s mild side effect profile, it presents more stacking options for users, such as Anadrol, Dianabol, Winstrol, Anavar, or Deca Durabolin.

Summary

Tren is the more potent anabolic steroid, producing faster improvements in body composition. However, Test could be considered the better steroid from a risk-reward perspective, as it is the safer compound. This is even reflected in medicine, with testosterone being an FDA-approved drug for the treatment of hypogonadism (3), whereas trenbolone has never been FDA-approved for human use.

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