Oral Turinabol

What is Oral Turinabol?

Oral Turinabol, also known by its chemical name Chlorodehydromethyltestosterone (CDMT) or 4-chlorodehydromethyltestosterone, is an anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS). It is a synthetic derivative of Dianabol (Metandienone), with a key structural modification: the addition of a chlorine atom at the 4-position. This alteration was designed to reduce its androgenic effects while maintaining or even enhancing its anabolic properties. It was developed by the East German pharmaceutical company Jenapharm in the 1960s and was famously used in the state-sponsored doping program in East Germany.

Side Effects and Benefits

Side Effects:

Oral Turinabol, like other oral C17-alpha-alkylated steroids, can cause a range of adverse effects.

• Hepatotoxicity: One of the most significant risks is liver damage. The C17-alpha-alkylation makes the steroid resistant to liver breakdown, but this also puts a significant strain on the liver.

• Cardiovascular Issues: It can negatively impact cholesterol levels, increasing LDL ("bad") cholesterol and decreasing HDL ("good") cholesterol, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

• Hormonal Suppression: It suppresses the body's natural production of testosterone, which can lead to testicular atrophy and low libido after a cycle.

• Androgenic Side Effects: While designed to have fewer androgenic effects than other steroids, it can still cause them. These include acne, accelerated male pattern baldness, and body hair growth.

• Virilization in Women: For women, it can cause virilization, the development of male characteristics, such as a deepened voice, clitoral enlargement, and increased body hair.

• Other Side Effects: Other potential side effects include mood swings, aggression, and high blood pressure.

Benefits:

• Lean Muscle Gains: Oral Turinabol is known for promoting lean and high-quality muscle growth. Unlike many other steroids, it does not cause significant water retention, leading to a harder, more defined look.

• Increased Strength: Users often report significant increases in strength without a corresponding dramatic increase in body mass, making it popular for athletes who need to stay within a certain weight class.

• Enhanced Performance: It can improve endurance, speed, and recovery, which is why it was a cornerstone of East Germany's doping program for various sports.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• High Anabolic-to-Androgenic Ratio: This means it promotes muscle growth more effectively than it causes male-pattern characteristics.

• No Estrogenic Conversion: It does not aromatize (convert to estrogen), which means side effects like gynecomastia (enlargement of breast tissue in men) and water retention are not an issue.

• Hard and Defined Gains: The lack of water retention results in a "cleaner" and more aesthetic look.

Cons:

• Hepatotoxicity: The most significant drawback is the risk of liver damage.

• Hormone Suppression: Like most anabolic steroids, it can shut down the body's natural hormone production, requiring a post-cycle therapy (PCT) to restore hormonal balance.

• Potential for Side Effects: Despite its favorable ratio, it is not without risks, including the androgenic and cardiovascular issues mentioned above.

• Legality and Purity: It is a controlled substance in many places, and "underground" products can be of questionable purity and dosage, increasing the risk of adverse health effects.

Dosage and Frequency

Information on dosage and frequency is based on anecdotal evidence from bodybuilding and performance-enhancing drug communities, as there are no medically approved guidelines for its use in this context.

• Men: Typical dosages for men range from 20 to 50 mg per day. Cycles usually last from 4 to 8 weeks. Higher doses and longer cycles increase the risk of side effects, particularly liver toxicity.

• Women: Due to the risk of virilization, dosages for women are significantly lower, typically 5 to 10 mg per day, for a shorter duration of 4 to 6 weeks.

The substance is typically taken in divided doses throughout the day due to its relatively short half-life.

Half-Life and Detection Time

• Half-Life: The half-life of Oral Turinabol is approximately 16 hours. This is why it is often taken in divided doses to maintain stable blood levels.

• Detection Time: The detection time is a critical factor for athletes. While the parent compound is cleared relatively quickly, a long-term metabolite has been identified that can be detected for an extended period. This metabolite can be found in urine for up to 45 days or even longer after the last dose, depending on the individual and the dose. This is what led to the re-analysis of old doping samples and the disqualification of many athletes from past Olympic Games.

Sterogenic, Progestronic, and Prolactin Effects

• Sterogenic Effects: Oral Turinabol is an androgenic-anabolic steroid. This means it binds to the androgen receptor, promoting both anabolic (muscle-building) and androgenic (masculinizing) effects. Its key characteristic is the dissociation of these two effects, with a stronger anabolic than androgenic action.

• Progestronic Effects: Oral Turinabol has no significant progestogenic activity. This is a benefit, as progestogenic steroids can increase the risk of certain side effects, such as gynecomastia and mood changes, particularly when stacked with other compounds.

• Prolactin Effects: It does not have a direct effect on prolactin levels. High prolactin is typically associated with progestogenic steroids like Nandrolone or Trenbolone.

Anabolic-Androgenic Ratio

The anabolic-androgenic ratio is a measure of a steroid's ability to build muscle versus its ability to cause masculinizing side effects. It is measured against testosterone, which has a ratio of 100:100.

• Anabolic-Androgenic Ratio: The ratio for Oral Turinabol is approximately 54:6. This is a highly favorable ratio, indicating that it is significantly more anabolic than it is androgenic, which explains its reputation for producing lean, high-quality muscle gains with fewer androgenic side effects.