In order to achieve success in the Olympic Games, the German Democratic Republic (GDR) developed a series of highly effective anabolic steroids starting in the 1960s, including the drug Turinabol.
They described it as a combined version of Methandrostenolone (Dianabol) and Oxandrolone (Anavar), offering a moderate anabolic effect (comparable to testosterone) with a low frequency of side effects. The inventor of the drug was Albert Stachowiak.
Chemical Structure of Turinabol
Turinabol is very similar to Dbol in structure but is distinguished by an additional chlorine atom at the 4-position. This small change creates significant differences in its performance and side-effect profile.
Characteristics
- Anabolic activity — 180% of testosterone
- Androgenic activity — 50% of testosterone (medium low)
- Aromatization (conversion into estrogen) — None
- Suppression of the hypothalamus-hypophyses-testicles axis — Medium high
- Toxicity to the liver — Medium
- Method of application — Orally (pills)
- Duration of the effect — 16 hours
- Detection time — Up to 250 days (due to long-lived metabolites)
Effects
Most of all, you can expect an increase of lean, quality muscle mass. A gain of 4-6 kg (8-12 lbs) in a 4-6 week solo cycle is realistic with medium doses.
In addition:
- Increased strength performance;
- Increased stamina;
- No estrogenic side effects (e.g., water retention, gynecomastia);
- Reduction in Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG), increasing the level of free testosterone in the blood;
Some studies suggest a protective effect on the cardiovascular system, reducing the risk of clot formation.
Side effects
As a 17-alkylated anabolic steroid, Turinabol is orally active but presents a notable, though typically manageable, level of liver toxicity. In general, side effects are rare and are most often linked to exceeding recommended cycle lengths or dosages.
The drug causes medium-high suppression of natural testosterone secretion, which can lead to side effects like erectile dysfunction; there have also been recorded cases of premature ejaculation. Only one official report exists on the side effects of five-year use of Turinabol in relatively high doses.
Turinabol Dosage and Uses
- Standard Dosage: 20-40 mg per day
- Enhanced Dosage: 40-50 mg per day
- Maximum Dosage: Rarely up to 100 mg per day (increases side effects)
Research indicates that 20-40 milligrams per day provides sufficient results with minimal risk. To maintain stable hormone levels and reduce liver stress, the daily dosage should be split into 2-3 equal doses throughout the day.
Despite this, many bodybuilders often take the entire daily dose at once or use amounts as high as 100-150 mg.
Turinabol Cycles
It is impossible to determine an optimal dosage without knowing an athlete's physiology, prior steroid experience, and goals. It is highly recommended to get blood tests and consult a specialist before a first cycle.
- For inexperienced athletes: a dosage of 20-40 mg per day for 6 weeks is sufficient to gain quality muscle and strength without severe side effects.
- For endurance athletes: (skiers, boxers, etc.) a lower dose of 10-20 mg per day is often sufficient.
Best Stacks with Turinabol
To gain muscle mass, Turinabol is often combined with Testosterone Enanthate in a "kickstart" cycle.
- A common stack: 20-40 mg of Turinabol daily + 250-500 mg of Testosterone Enanthate per week.
- Duration: 6-8 weeks. The Turinabol is stopped first, with testosterone injections continuing for 1-2 more weeks to allow the oral steroid to clear before Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT) begins.
Important Note on Detection: Modern drug testing using chromatography-mass spectrometry can detect Turinabol metabolites in the body for up to 250 days after the last dose, making it a very poor choice for tested athletes.
Sources
- The pharmacokinetics of Oral-Turinabol in humans — https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1798729/
- Metabolism of oral turinabol by the human brain cholesterol 24-hydroxylase CYP46A1 — https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0960076021001205
- Hormonal doping and androgenization of athletes: a secret program of the German Democratic Republic government — https://academic.oup.com/clinchem/article-abstract/43/7/1262/5640958
