Turinabol (effects, dosage, side effects)

It is quite a different kind of anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS), with a fascinating history. Turinabol is the brand name, and chemical name/international name of the steroid is Chlorodehydromethyltestosterone.

It is a steroid that was developed behind the iron curtain in former East Germany. It was patented in 1960 and became available for widespread use in 1965. It later formed the backbone of the state-sponsored doping in East Germany. It was given to most of the athletes for the next 25 years, and in most cases, even without their knowledge.

It was quite successful in improving the performance of athletes. The agencies in East Germany promoted its use as it waschallenging to detect by the methods available in those times. One of the reasons why it remains difficult to trace by anti-doping agencies is its short half-life of about 3 hours. It means that on discontinuation, the body needs less time to get rid of it and its metabolites.

Short half-life also means that it must be taken multiple times during the day. Generally, people would take 20 to 40 mg a day in a single dose. Although taking it in lower doses, numerous times a day will produce better effects (2 to 6 times in 24 hours).

How does it compare to testosterone and other potent steroids?

Oral forms have their benefits and drawbacks. Short-acting oral steroids are difficult to use as people must take them multiple times, unlike once a week injection of some long-lasting steroids. Turinabol is regarded as a steroid of medium potency. It means that bodybuilders would generally use it during the cutting rather than bulking.

Some of the ways in which it works:

• Reduces SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin). It results in higher availability of free testosterone in the blood. It also means that it combines well with other steroids.
• Retains more nitrogen. It improves training efficiency. It is particularly helpful in cutting phase as it helps maintain the muscle mass while helping to lose the fat.
• Increased muscle mass. When used at optimal doses, it can have a quite potent anabolic effect and may even be used for bulking.
• Increases the number of red blood cells.It means higher endurance and capability of training for longer intervals. It increases the oxygen supply to various body tissues.

Turinabol is loved by bodybuilders during the cutting phase. It helps improve the ability to train for longer, causes increased resistance, boosts power, reduces fatty tissues, strengthens muscles, helps recover faster, reduces SHBG.

Side effects

It may be a mild steroid; however, it does not mean that it is free from side effect. In most cases, side effects will be dose-dependent. Meaning that there will be far fewer side effects at a low dose of 5 mg a day than 40 mg a day.

Some of the common side effects are excessive hair growth, androgenic alopecia, harshening of voice in females, increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, a higher level of bad cholesterol, risk of liver damage, inhibition of testosterone production, and addiction. Over the long term, it may also cause psychological changes.