SARMs Before and After Photos: Results and Potential Complications

Two common questions relating to selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) are: how do their efficacy and results compare to those of anabolic-androgenic steroids? And are they a safer alternative?

In this article, we will present several SARMs before and after transformation cases, providing anecdotal evidence of real-life results—specifically, increases in muscle hypertrophy (size) and fat loss—experienced by users.

SARMs Before and After Transformation

This is a 5-week before and after picture published on Reddit demonstrating the combined effects of:

1. RAD-140 (Testolone)
2. LGD-4033 (Ligandrol)
3. MK-677 (Ibutamoren)

RAD-140 and LGD-4033 are among the most potent SARMs currently available. RAD-140 stands out as one of the most effective performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) we have encountered, due to its notable benefits for athletic performance and neurological health.

MK-677, a growth hormone secretagogue (GHS), is frequently combined with SARMs to optimize results.

Moderate Muscle Growth

The Reddit user has experienced improvements in muscle hypertrophy, with a visual gain of 10–15 pounds. However, there is an argument that a SARM cycle, like the one above, may be less potent than a typical anabolic steroid cycle.

In early human trials, researchers analyzed the effects of SARMs vs. testosterone enanthate (an anabolic steroid). They found that testosterone users built 5–7 kg of lean mass, compared to just 1–1.5 kg in the SARMs group, over 4–6 weeks (1).

However, based on this user’s results, who has achieved a notably thicker overall appearance (particularly in the quadriceps), it may seem unrealistic that steroid users would experience results 5 times greater than his.

Visceral Fat

The user has experienced a noticeable increase in visceral fat, resulting in a bloated or more protruding appearance of the midsection.

We have also found visceral fat accumulation to be common among anabolic steroid users. This is due to such compounds increasing estrogen levels, consequently causing insulin resistance.

Han et al. (2022) discovered that testosterone treatment decreased subcutaneous fat but not visceral fat (2).

Additional research found that oxandrolone (Anavar), a non-aromatizing anabolic steroid, reduced visceral fat more than testosterone, an estrogenic compound (3).

SARMs are not inherently estrogenic and do not directly promote aromatization—the conversion of testosterone to estrogen. However, because they activate androgen receptors with high affinity, they can suppress endogenous testosterone production, which may indirectly influence hormonal balance. In some cases, this suppression can lead to changes in estrogen levels.

While natural testosterone typically binds to androgen receptors to exert its effects, SARMs have a stronger binding capacity, effectively outcompeting endogenous testosterone. This displacement reduces natural testosterone signaling, leaving more free testosterone in circulation.

Consequently, excess testosterone can be converted into estrogen and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), potentially leading to hormonal fluctuations. This can cause estrogen dominance, resulting in:

• Visceral fat storage
• Water retention
• Gynecomastia (man boobs)

DHT dominance can also contribute to several side effects, including:

• Androgenetic alopecia (hair loss)
• Acne vulgaris
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate)

SARMs’ tissue selectivity aims to inhibit the above side effects; however, in practice, we still see them occur via this indirect mechanism.

Beard Growth

Increased DHT levels resulting from SARM use can also promote beard growth, as studies suggest that hair follicles are more sensitive to this androgenic hormone than testosterone (4). This enhanced sensitivity can lead to prominent hair growth, contributing to an increasingly masculine appearance of the facial region, as observed in the above user.

MK-677 and Body Composition

MK-677 (Ibutamoren), a compound included in this user’s stack, stimulates increased growth hormone (GH) secretion via the activation of GHS-R1a receptors, increasing pulsatile release and Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) levels. This means that MK-677 tricks the body into making more growth hormone by interacting with receptors in the brain.

Elevated GH levels can lead to enhanced visceral fat storage, as they influence lipid metabolism and fat distribution. Additionally, GH, similar to estrogen, can cause hyperglycemia, known as increased blood sugar levels, by impairing insulin signaling pathways, which may contribute to a bloated appearance characterized by abdominal distension.

Interestingly, research on rats found that MK-677 increased peak GH concentrations by 1.8-fold over a six-week cycle (5). However, such elevations failed to enhance rodent hypertrophy, which researchers hypothesized to be attributed to increased expression of the somatostatin receptor in the hypothalamus.

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SARMs Before and After Transformation (12 Weeks)

This Reddit user completed a 12-week cycle of RAD-140 (Testolone) at 17 mg/day.

The subject gained 5 pounds in weight, which can be partly attributed to a small calorie surplus from their diet. This caloric excess likely contributed to an increase in adipose tissue (fat) and lean muscle mass.

Muscular Strength

Despite experiencing minimal muscle gains, the user reported significant improvements in muscular strength, which were particularly noticeable from week 6 onward. Their lifting performance increased notably, adding 90 pounds to both their flat and incline bench presses.

Testosterone Suppression

The user experienced dramatic testosterone suppression, decreasing from 750 ng/dL to 193 ng/dL. This significant decline indicates potential damage to the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis (HPTA).

Such testosterone suppression is typically transient, with research showing that testosterone levels commonly recover post-cycle (6), assuming no other anabolic substances are administered.

Cardiotoxicity and Hepatotoxicity

The user also reported aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) liver enzymes being excessively high post-cycle, in conjunction with their blood lipids deteriorating. Thus, SARMs may increase the risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack) or hepatic (liver) failure.

Such side effects, regarding liver and cardiovascular toxicity, align with what Dr. Thomas O’Connor has observed from overseeing 2,000 SARM users over 10 years. Consequently, Dr. O’Connor is now of the opinion that SARMs may be more toxic than anabolic steroids.

RAD-140’s hepatotoxicity is particularly concerning, based on existing research. For example, a case has been documented of a 49-year-old male being diagnosed with hepatocellular-cholestatic liver injury (7) after taking RAD-140 for four weeks, with only infrequent use afterward. This signifies the potential risk of toxicity associated with RAD-140, even with relatively short-term use.

However, Dr. Rand McClain has mentioned that RAD-140 users can exhibit more favorable bloodwork profiles on average compared to users of other SARMs, such as Ostarine, which he has noted can have deleterious effects on health. This suggests that individual responses to SARMs may vary significantly, highlighting the importance of personalized assessment by a medical professional and monitoring when considering these substances.

RAD-140 Authenticity

Due to the high incidence of counterfeit SARM products on the market, one could hypothesize that this user’s RAD-140 was potentially diluted or completely void of the true compound, due to their mild results.

However, given the severity of the subject’s side effects, notable strength results, and the specified manufacturer (Chemyo) having a positive reputation, this conclusion is unlikely.

Androgenetic Alopecia

This user also reported an obvious loss of hair toward the later stages of his cycle, known as telogen effluvium, which is caused by hormone fluctuations, specifically an increase in DHT. This may not be a major issue for individuals using SARMs sporadically, since hair enters the anagen (growth) stage once a SARM cycle ends. However, regular and prolonged SARM use can lead to more permanent effects. In such cases, hair thinning, recession, or loss may become irreversible, thus accelerating male pattern baldness.

SARMs Results Compared to Steroids

The before and after pictures previously illustrated are representative of the standard outcomes observed following an initial SARM cycle.

Thus, SARM users appear to be hypo-responders compared to anabolic steroid users, who are frequently hyper-responders, in terms of muscularity and fat loss. Increased anabolism from anabolic steroids can be attributed to their superior potency when binding to androgen receptors, causing greater nitrogen retention and protein synthesis.

Novice Steroid Progress

In our experience, the before and after pictures (below) demonstrate typical results from a first steroid cycle.

This YouTube user administered conservative dosages of testosterone, adding approximately 20 pounds of lean mass while significantly reducing their body fat percentage and enhancing muscle definition.

In contrast, SARM users are likely to experience negligible reductions in subcutaneous body fat, with only modest increases in muscle hypertrophy (size), equating to approximately 5–10 pounds.

This user’s results are noteworthy, given they utilized testosterone as a standalone cycle instead of stacking it with other potent anabolic steroids, such as:

• Trenbolone
• Anadrol

From Natural to SARMs

The above subject had not taken PEDs on the left, and the picture on the right is after they completed several S4 (Andarine), MK-2866 (Ostarine), and GH (growth hormone) cycles. An increase in latissimus dorsi (back) thickness is apparent, along with overall growth throughout the body.

From SARMs to Steroids

The left photo is post-SARM use, and the right photo is post-steroid use, with Deca Durabolin (nandrolone) and Anadrol (oxymetholone) being two anabolic steroids regularly administered by this user.

These results indicate a vast difference in potency between SARMs and anabolic steroids, with the latter typically being more effective at adding muscle mass in our experience.

However, Deca Durabolin and Anadrol can cause low testosterone, medically known as hypogonadism. Research has also shown that Anadrol can cause substantial fluctuations in cholesterol and liver enzymes due to it being a C-17 alpha-alkylated compound (8, 9). This means that Anadrol has been chemically modified at the 17th carbon position with a methyl alkyl group, enabling it to be taken orally. Consequently, it causes Anadrol to be resistant to hepatic breakdown, but such resistance also results in the liver working harder to detoxify the compound, contributing to hepatocellular stress.

Anadrol is also an estrogenic steroid; therefore, water retention and gynecomastia are possible because of its direct stimulatory effect on estrogen receptors.

Research Anecdotes

Below are anecdotal reports posted by researchers on our Facebook group, documenting their experiences with SARMs.

I’m halfway through my first RAD-140 cycle. It definitely boosted strength; recovery time is still the same, and endurance has gone up. I’ve got everything ready to start testosterone enanthate after this.

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SARMs work pretty well; what I like about them is how maintainable the gains are. However, I’ve also never had any bad side effects from a SARM, except for YK-11.

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Four weeks in on Ostarine 10 mg, LGD-4033 10 mg, and MK-677 20 mg. My weight has increased by 8-10 lbs, and my strength and endurance are at an all-time high for me. The only downside is that my libido is slightly lower. I’m considering increasing the Ostarine and MK-677 by 10 mg for more optimal gains, but I’m not sure if it’s worth it.

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Summary

Non-steroidal SARMs are not FDA-approved and are investigational compounds (10). Therefore, anyone who utilizes SARMs could potentially be damaging their health.

It appears the initial claims of SARMs having a more acceptable safety profile than anabolic steroids warrant further evaluation, with vast evidence of:

• Transaminitis (high liver enzymes)
• Diagnoses of acute myocarditis (sudden heart inflammation) in clinical literature (11)

Thus, based on existing case reviews, SARMs appear to be comparable to anabolic steroids in terms of toxicity.

How Do SARMs Compare to Testosterone?

In our experience, SARMs can replicate a portion of the muscle-building effects achieved by testosterone and other anabolic steroids. However, testosterone may be more favorable from a clinical perspective for treating cachexia (muscle wasting). Dr. Rand McClain supports this idea, asserting that testosterone may provide fewer cardiovascular risks and more anabolism than SARMs.

Dr. McClain also states that there are more clinical studies detailing testosterone’s effects in comparison to SARMs, enabling medical professionals and users to understand more about its benefits and risks.

A cycle of testosterone may produce more optimal results, compared to SARMs, in terms of muscle hypertrophy and subcutaneous fat loss, without any obvious negative effects on liver enzymes. However, studies have shown that testosterone can cause moderate adverse effects on cholesterol (12).

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