Turinabol (TBOL): The Ultimate Guide

Turinabol (chlorodehydromethyltestosterone) is a potent oral anabolic steroid with a unique history, being the only AAS created for non-medicinal purposes.

Instead, turinabol was formulated to help East Germany’s athletic team gain an unfair advantage in the Olympic Games between 1968 and 1989.

This was a state-sponsored doping program, known as “State Plan Research Theme 14.25,” where the objective of the nation was to completely dominate sports.

Consequently, trainers would supply athletes with “vitamins” (a deceptive label) that would evade detection in drug tests.

Approximately 10,000 male and female athletes, including children as young as 10 years old, experienced great increases in muscular strength, hypertrophy (size), and endurance.

The athletes essentially acted as non-consenting lab rats, completely unaware of what was being given to them.

It wasn’t until the 1990s that it finally became known that Turinabol was the secret compound behind the ‘East German Doping Machine‘.

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Tbol = Dianabol Derivative

German scientists had observed the potent effects of Dianabol in Olympic athletes after Dr. John Ziegler successfully created a steroid more anabolic than Testosterone.

However, they also recognized that Dianabol led to notable amounts of water retention in athletes due to significant levels of aromatization, causing a decrease in functionality.

Thus, German scientists’ objective was to synthesize a steroid that could replicate the anabolic (muscle building) and strength-enhancing effects of Dianabol, but without fluid gain.

They successfully achieved their mission, creating a Dianabol-derivative compound that possessed an identical structure to Dbol but with an additional 4-chloro alteration of clostebol.

Clostebol is a very weak anabolic steroid used in medicine for dermatological purposes (1).

This modification meant Turinabol would not replicate Dianabol’s estrogenic effects, and thus dry muscle gains could be experienced without any water retention.

Due to Turinabol’s chemical structure, it is often referred to as ‘baby Dbol’ in bodybuilding, with it possessing less potent anabolic and androgenic effects than its ‘father’ compound.

Turinabol was specifically designed to improve the performance of swimmers and gymnasts, leading to great medal success and several world record performances. Today, we find that Turinabol is also used by fighters, baseball players, weightlifters, and sprinters, with Jon Jones being the most high-profile athlete found to have traces of Turinabol metabolites present in his system (2).

Turinabol Benefits

• Increased muscularity
• Enhanced strength
• Fat loss
• No Estrogenic effects
• Weak Androgen

Due to Turinabol being moderately anabolic and not causing water retention, it is often utilized as a cutting steroid to maximize fat burning and retain muscle tissue (while in a caloric deficit).

Turinabol will also burn subcutaneous fat stores, similar to other anabolic steroids, due to it essentially being exogenous testosterone and thus causing a reduction in adipose tissue.

Turinabol is not estrogenic due to the 4-chloro alteration of clostebol; thus, it poses no issues in regard to gynecomastia or fluid retention.

Tbol is also not androgenic, with an androgenic score of zero; thus, cases of acne vulgaris, androgenic alopecia (hair loss), and benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate enlargement) are rare in our experience.

Turinabol Results

We have seen Turinabol used as a bulking agent among beginners, helping them to build 15+ pounds of lean muscle; however, such gains in hypertrophy are less pronounced among experienced steroid users.

Turinabol is not suited for users wanting exceptional results in terms of mass gain, with it only possessing an anabolic rating of 54. Thus, if purely size is the goal, we have found Testosterone, Anadrol, Trenbolone and Dianabol to be more potent compounds.

Dr. Thomas O’Connor suggests that Turinabol may be more powerful than Anavar, but less so than Winstrol; in regards to its effects on body composition.

We typically see results on Turinabol being slow and steady, with it possessing a half-life of 16 hours. This is double the time of Winstrol and approximately 50% longer than Anavar.

Therefore, Turinabol is not an oral steroid that peaks quickly in the bloodstream, resulting in rapid muscle gains and fat loss, but requires longer cycles for the drug to build up in a user’s system.

Strength gains on Turinabol are also profound, with a 1973 report stating that a dose of 10 mg/day administered to a female shot put athlete increased her throwing distance by 2 meters within 11 weeks (3). Several of our patients have also developed exceptional strength from Turinabol.

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Turinabol Side Effects

• Virilization
• Liver toxicity
• HDL cholesterol
• Testosterone suppression

Virilization

Despite Turinabol having a 0 androgen rating, it does have the power to cause virilization effects in women.

We also see such masculinization being evident in the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, where the East German swimmers had exceptionally broad shoulders and deeper-sounding voices.

One possible reason why such effects became obvious some 10 years after the athletes started taking Turinabol was because dosages were gradually increased each year.

Also, since the early 1970s, many female athletes have started taking other virilizing steroids, such as testosterone esters and Nandrolone (Deca Durabolin).

By this time, some of the athletes had refused such treatment due to these additional compounds being injectables (a less subtle form of administration versus orals).

In research, it is difficult to gauge how potent Turinabol is for producing masculinization in women, as the East German athletes were taking other steroids simultaneously.

However, we have found it to be generally well-tolerated among females in cautious dosages, based on the imperceptible (unapparent) effects in its first few years of use.

Liver Toxicity

In our experience, liver stress enzyme markers such as AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine aminotransferase) will rise on Turinabol due to it being a c-17 alpha-alkylated steroid and thus passing through the liver.

However, our tests show that Turinabol’s hepatotoxicity is typically mild, with it being a generally well-tolerated drug.

This may be true; however, users should not be complacent and use Turinabol in lengthy cycles (beyond 8 weeks), as liver failure and jaundice are possible.

Dr. Thomas O’Connor had a patient who ran Turinabol by itself for approximately 1-2 years, believing it to be safe due to it being routinely prescribed to East German athletes in the 60s and 70s. This patient ended up developing peliosis hepatis, a serious vascular condition where blood-filled cysts accumulate on the liver.

This man required surgery, where doctors successfully removed parts of his liver, aiding in his recovery.

HDL Cholesterol

We see high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels decrease on Turinabol, causing a mild-to-moderate spike in blood pressure.

This adverse effect on blood lipids is typical when taking any anabolic steroid. However, oral steroids typically cause more cardiovascular strain in our testing due to them stimulating the hepatic lipase enzyme in the liver (causing more significant fluctuations in cholesterol).

Those who have existing high blood pressure or a history of heart disease in their family should avoid anabolic steroids in general.

To reduce the risk of hypertension on Turinabol, we have found regular cardio and supplementation with 4 grams of fish oil per day (for the duration of a cycle) to be effective. This is due to it improving endothelial function and reducing plaque buildup in the arteries.

Testosterone Suppression

All anabolic steroids increase exogenous testosterone levels and decrease endogenous (natural) levels.

The degree of severity in regards to HPG (hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal) axis shutdown often depends on the potency of a steroid and the dosages taken.

Turinabol, when taken by itself, will cause a moderate decline in natural testosterone production, similar to Anavar. However, we find such suppression can be exacerbated if cycled in conjunction with other steroids.

To accelerate the recovery of endogenous testosterone levels post-cycle, our patients utilize PCT (post-cycle therapy).

SERMs such as Clomiphene (Clomid) and Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) have been effective for us in restoring male hormone levels (4).

Our patients will typically take 30mg of Nolvadex per day or 100mg of Clomid per day, with a PCT lasting approximately 30 days.

If a Turinabol-only cycle is being performed, only one SERM may be needed post-cycle.

However, if Turinabol is stacked with other suppressive anabolics, two SERMs may be taken synchronously.

Our more aggressive PCTs can see the inclusion of hCG, with 2,000 IU of hCG administered every other day for 20 days. We find hCG to be particularly beneficial in treating testicular atrophy and increasing spermatogenesis.

Turinabol Cycles

Turinabol is commonly taken in dosages of 15–40 mg per day. The lower end of this range is tailored for improvements in athletic performance, with 40mg being more optimal for bodybuilders looking to add lean mass.

Turinabol is typically taken for 6–8 weeks, which is a somewhat lengthy oral cycle due to its longer ester structure (slow-acting properties).

Turinabol-Only Cycle (For Men)

We see intermediate bodybuilders choose to extend the above cycle to 8 weeks if their liver enzymes and blood pressure are under control.

Some bodybuilders increase their dosage up to 80 mg/day; however, this is unnecessary and will cause great toxicity based on our LFTs and lipid profiles.

If users experience no positive effects on 40 mg/day, there is a high chance the compound is not actually Turinabol but instead a placebo (or heavily diluted).

Turinabol-Only Cycle (For Women)

We have found that low dosages of Tbol (5mg) are unlikely to cause male secondary sex characteristics in women.

Females have only a fraction of a male’s endogenous testosterone level; thus, only small dosages of steroids are needed to produce exceptional results and drastic improvements in body composition.

Turinabol and Testosterone Cycle

Turinabol and Testosterone complement each other well, with Testosterone failing to pose any strain on the liver while causing only mild fluctuations in cholesterol.

This duo can be used as a bulking or cutting cycle, simultaneously promoting lean mass gain and fat loss.

Testosterone is one of the most effective bulking agents, producing exceptional muscularity and strength gains. Cypionate and enanthate are popular esters among bodybuilders, promoting slow and steady yet significant results.

If used as a cutting cycle, an anti-estrogen may be used to prevent water retention from the addition of testosterone. Letrozole or anastrozole have been effective options for our patients, successfully inhibiting aromatization (the conversion of testosterone into estrogen).

We understand that erection quality and function can decrease in the latter stages of a Turinabol-only cycle due to its low androgenicity. Weak androgens often cause a decline in sexual health due to the lowering of DHT levels. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) plays a crucial role in nitric oxide production and is needed for optimal blood flow and circulation to the penis.

Therefore, by stacking Turinabol with an androgenic steroid (like Testosterone), we see users maintaining high levels of DHT and nitric oxide production, preventing impotence.

However, we find that high DHT levels also cause more incidents of hair loss (on the scalp), acne vulgaris, and prostate enlargement.

Turinabol Reviews

We have collected several reviews from various anonymous Turinabol users, giving our readers a better understanding of how this steroid affects different people.

Good size increases. Shoulders increased a lot more than I expected. Arms went from 14 1/2 to 15 1/4. Waist went from 32 1/2 to 34. Back also increased quite a bit, traps especially. Also had good muscle fullness most of the time. I did not experience big size increases till week 3-4. About midway through week 3 my weight started shooting up 2lbs a day.

My bench press went from 300 to 335lbs in 4 weeks. 40 mg Tbol every day. Just a simple linear increase 3×5 for bench, 2-3 times a week. No libido or other problems, no bloat (legit tbol). Kept all gains, can’t understand the hate for orals.

Super underrated. For me, Tbol gave nice clean gains. My bench went up consistently 5 lbs every week and the gains remained after stopping. People always say it is Dbol’s little brother but I stopped Dbol and went back to Tbol because the gains were identical for me except with TBOL there was zero water retention and my estrogen didn’t skyrocket.

I had never run more than a mile in my life. On 50mg of Tbol I ran 3 miles and then went for some squats. I ran dbol 30mg/day as well for the last two weeks of the 6 week Tbol cycle. Smashed PRs in every gym session and could still run like a horse with evil Dbol in me. Amazing stuff, would run it alongside almost anything.
One of my favorite orals. While it may not pack a huge punch like Superdrol or shred you down like Anavar, it just seems to make everything work that much better. Since it frees up more testosterone, due to less binding with SHBG, it works great with Test; and even better the more compounds you stack.

It was my first oral to kickstart my first cycle. I remember coming home a few weeks after the start, popping my shirt off to try on some new clothes my mum bought me and my parents were like what the hell happened to your body. I didn’t get huge or anything, but I became an aesthetic beast on Tbol that could work endless sets. I have not had one compound to date that gave me the same work efficiency and intensity over time as Tbol has. Not even Tren + Superdrol.

Turinabol vs Anavar

Turinabol and Anavar are similar, with both of them being oral and non-estrogenic compounds.

They both promote lean muscle mass, strength gains, and fat loss.

However, we have seen Turinabol’s effects to be slightly more pronounced than Anavar, so Tbol may have an edge in terms of muscle and strength gains.

On the flip side, we find Turinabol causes slightly more side effects than Anavar, such as higher fluctuations in cholesterol, ALT/AST liver enzymes, and further testosterone suppression.

Turinabol is considerably cheaper to buy on the black market compared to Anavar, with Oxandrolone being one of the most expensive steroids (costing as much as several hundred dollars per cycle).

Some of our patients report that Turinabol causes less synovial fluid dehydration, thus being more joint-friendly than Anavar and Winstrol. This may be of interest to bodybuilders who lift heavier weights with fewer reps.

Anavar is a female-friendly steroid that rarely produces virilization effects, and the same may be true for Turinabol.

However, due to Turinabol’s slightly more potent nature, it is fair to assume that Anavar is a safer compound for women. Since Anavar’s creation in 1962, there has been more research available regarding its effects on women, and it continues to be used in medicine today.

Turinabol, however, is not FDA-approved to treat any catabolic illness and is seldom taken by female weightlifters, making it a less understood compound.

“Where to buy Turinabol?”

Turinabol is no longer available as a prescription drug in Germany, having been discontinued in 1994. This was around the time Tbol was exposed for being the compound behind the government-funded ‘State Plan Research Theme 14.25’ agenda.

Few pharmaceutical companies have produced Turinabol since then, with bodybuilders now buying it through the black market (via underground labs). This is an illegal practice and carries its own risks in terms of contamination, hygiene, and the potential spiking of products.

Summary: Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Moderate increases in lean muscle
• Fat loss
• Significant improvements in endurance
• No estrogen-related side effects
• No androgenic side effects
• Side effects are relatively mild
• Suitable for women in cautious dosages

Cons:

• Mildly hepatotoxic
• HDL cholesterol suppression
• Lack of pharmaceutical products available

Co Authors :

Dr. Thomas O'Connor, MD, PA

For TRT inquiries, please contact Dr. O’Connor via the Anabolic Doc App.

Over the last 20 years, Dr. O’Connor has successfully treated thousands of men who have taken anabolic steroids, SARMs, and other PEDs, giving him first-hand experience of their effects. Board-certified MD since 2005.

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