So are people actually out there going and checking their ACTUAL testosterone production, estrogen levels, during a cycle? I just find it pretty odd to put this stuff in your body and then guess what you need/don't need and going by *feel* on how your body is reacting to it.
A lot of people talk about it, how it should be taken, not sure how many actually have quantifiable/verifiable data and everyone is glossing over the side effects.
I have two buddies that went down this path, safe steroids and all, one just had surgery to remove sh!t out of his chest glands...but it's just part of the cycle doe! Not to be a debbie downer on the subject, just trying to understand how people know quantities of what/when to take/what makes them so certain it's safe...or is everyone going on *best practices* and what worked on someone else's body who quantifiably monitored their status and assuming their body will react the same?
You're not being a debbie downer at all. Steroids can be extremely dangerous. There are paid forums dedicated to the research and discussion of all sorts of steroids/brands/websites etc. Many of these forums provide in depth analyses of brands and their dosage. They also test the chemical make-up to ensure the product is legit and the company selling it is legit. Also, many manufacturers print holograms and lot numbers on their product, which can be verified through their website.
Knowing the product is legit and correctly dosed is half the battle. Taking it is another science altogether. Your friend, that got gynocomastia and had to get his glands removed, has no one to blame but himself. That's a symptom of being lazy and uneducated. He overdosed and didn't take the proper Post Cycle Therapy.