Hilma Letrozole

Letrozole is an anti-estrogen of the Aromatase Inhibitor (AI) family and is one of the most potent and powerfully effective of all AI’s. In fact, its potency is sometimes too much for some to handle when used for off label use. While intended for breast cancer treatment, like many AI’s, it has found a welcomed home among anabolic steroid users. Letrozole is one of the most commonly used anti-estrogens among steroid users to combat possible estrogenic related side effects.

Letrozole as an anti-estrogen is extremely beneficial to breast cancer patients. Many forms of breast cancer actively feed off the estrogen hormone. By inhibiting the production of estrogen, which in turn lowers the amount of circulating estrogen in the body, this has the ability to starve the cancer.

For the anabolic steroid user, the same anti-estrogenic effect provided by Letrozole is tremendously beneficial. Many anabolic steroids have the ability to increase estrogen levels due to testosterone’s interaction with the aromatase enzyme. As estrogen levels rise, this can lead to gynecomastia and excess water retention. If water retention becomes severe, this can in turn promote high blood pressure. 

By including Letrozole in a cycle that contains aromatizing anabolic steroids, this can prevent the estrogenic related side effects. This will protect the individual from gynecomastia and water retention. Further, while many steroids can promote high blood pressure despite aromatization, an AI will improve the individual’s odds when water retention is the culprit. Heavy excess water retention is normally the number one cause of high blood pressure among steroid users.

Undeniably, AI’s like Letrozole are the most effect means at combating estrogenic related side effects. However, they can also have a negative impact on cholesterol. Alone AI’s do not appear to have a strong, negative effect on cholesterol, but when coupled with an aromatizing steroid like testosterone the adverse cholesterol effect is enhanced. For this reason, many will find SERM’s like Tamoxifen Citrate (Nolvadex) should be their first choice in estrogen protection.

With its ability to promote natural testosterone production, Letrozole is often an appealing choice for Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) plans. This can also make it appealing for low testosterone treatment, but it’s often not enough. However, for PCT purposes, while it can be effective it’s generally not recommended. The primary purpose of PCT is stimulating natural testosterone production, which Letrozole can do very well. However, part of the purpose of PCT is also normalization, which will be difficult with severely suppressed estrogen levels. Estrogen is an important hormone as it promotes a stronger immune system and healthier cholesterol levels. For the anabolic steroid user, his best bet for PCT is sticking with SERM’s for his natural testosterone production needs.

For the anabolic steroid user, Letrozole doses will normally be much lower. Even with the use of anabolic steroids, a 2.5mg dosing will normally be too high and could potentially drain the individual of energy; in fact, it’s almost guaranteed. The only exception we could make for such a dose would be to combat early gynecomastia symptoms. If symptoms begin to show 7-14 days at a dose of 2.5mg per day can reverse the symptoms. Once symptoms begin to fade away the individual should be able to tapper down to a more manageable dose and maintain it for the remainder of the cycle. If this doesn’t work there’s a good chance the symptoms have already set in beyond remedy. When this happens the only thing that will remove your gynecomastia is surgery. For standard estrogenic related protection, most men will find 0.5-1mg every other day to be more than enough. When used as an anti-estrogen in low testosterone treatment plans, even less may be needed. For the competitive bodybuilder, the final 7-14 days before competition, a full 1mg per day leading up to the show can be a solid dose and will greatly help with dryness and a tighter look. This is, however, not a dose most would want to maintain for an extended period of time as it can be harsh.

In the treatment of breast cancer, the standard Letrozole dose will normally be 2.5mg per day. This is an extremely potent dose and will normally be administered until the cancer subsides. In many cases, at the point of remission the patient will switch from Letrozole to Nolvadex in a preventative treatment plan scenario.