4-chlorodehydromethyltestosterone
Oral Turinabol, chemically known as 4-chlorodehydromethyltestosterone, is an anabolic steroid developed in the 1960s by East German pharmaceutical company Jenapharm for the treatment of certain medical conditions. However, it gained notoriety for its use in the systematic doping program of East German athletes, particularly from the late 1960s through the 1980s, enhancing their performance in international competitions. This steroid is a derivative of methandrostenolone (Dianabol), modified by adding a chlorine atom at the fourth position, which changes its anabolic and androgenic properties.
Oral Turinabol is characterized by its ability to promote lean muscle gain without significant water retention, making it appealing for athletes and bodybuilders seeking a more defined physique. It provides a balance between the anabolic effects of muscle growth and minimal androgenic effects, such as masculinization, which are less pronounced than with other steroids. However, despite its perceived benefits, Oral Turinabol is associated with significant health risks, including liver toxicity, adverse cardiovascular effects, and potential impacts on hormonal balance.
Its use is banned in sports by most international athletic organizations and it is classified as a controlled substance in many countries. Due to its side effects and legal implications, it is not recommended for use outside of a medical context.
History of oral Turinabol
Oral Turinabol has a unique and controversial history that intertwines with sports, politics, and the quest for national prestige. Developed in the 1960s by Jenapharm, a pharmaceutical company in East Germany, Oral Turinabol (chemically known as 4-chlorodehydromethyltestosterone) was initially intended for medical use. However, it soon became an integral part of East Germany’s state-sponsored doping program, aimed at dominating international sports competitions.
The East German Doping Machine
The systematic use of Oral Turinabol in East Germany (the German Democratic Republic or GDR) is one of the most infamous episodes in the history of sports. The program, known as “State Plan Topic 14.25,” was a well-guarded secret involving the administration of anabolic steroids to athletes, often without their knowledge. Athletes were told they were taking vitamins or supplements, obscuring the true nature and risks of the substances being used.
Oral Turinabol was favored for its effectiveness in building lean muscle mass, improving strength, and its ability to evade detection in the early years of steroid testing. Its use was widespread across a variety of sports, from track and field to swimming, and contributed to the GDR’s disproportionate success on the international stage during the 1970s and 1980s.
Health Consequences and Scandals
The consequences of this program were far-reaching. Many former athletes suffered from severe health problems later in life, attributed to their steroid use, including liver damage, infertility, and increased risk of heart disease and cancers. The extent of the program and its impacts only became fully known after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the subsequent reunification of Germany, leading to public outrage and legal battles for compensation.
Anecdotal Stories
Anecdotal stories from former East German athletes highlight the deception and pressure they faced. Heidi Krieger, a shot putter who was administered Oral Turinabol among other substances, later underwent gender reassignment surgery and became Andreas Krieger. Heidi has spoken out about the confusion and identity crisis caused by the changes in her body due to steroid use, emphasizing that the decision for surgery was influenced by these changes. Krieger’s story is among the most poignant, illustrating the personal costs behind the GDR’s quest for sporting excellence.
Another notable aspect of Oral Turinabol’s history is its continued use and development of detection methods. Despite being banned, it has periodically surfaced in doping scandals well into the 21st century, indicating ongoing illicit use. The development of more sophisticated testing methods has led to retesting of stored samples from past athletic competitions, resulting in retroactive disqualifications and stripped medals, decades after the events took place.
The legacy of Oral Turinabol is a cautionary tale about the lengths to which states and individuals might go to achieve sporting success, and the long-term consequences of such actions on athlete health and the integrity of sport.
How Oral Turinabol increases strength and muscle
Mechanism of Action:
The muscle-building effects of Oral Turinabol are primarily mediated by androgen receptors located in muscle cells. Activation of these receptors initiates the transcription of genes involved in protein synthesis, thereby accelerating muscle growth. Furthermore, Oral Turinabol has been shown to increase the quantity of androgen receptors in the body. A 2011 study published in Science Direct also found that heavy resistance training boosts the number of androgen receptors, suggesting a synergistic relationship between resistance exercise and Oral Turinabol use.
Protein Synthesis:
Additional research points to both metabolic and psychological impacts of Oral Turinabol. The anabolic effects of Oral Turinabol enhance metabolism by stimulating protein synthesis, allowing dietary proteins to be more efficiently used for muscle development and repair compared to non-users. This process is facilitated by the anabolic stimuli encouraging muscle cells to become multinucleated, where two muscle cells fuse, allowing them to share the workload of essential functions like growth and division. Resistance training further complements this effect by increasing the prevalence of cells with multiple nuclei, highlighting an added benefit of combining exercise with Oral Turinabol use.
How Oral Turinabol Works with Muscle Receptors:
Oral Turinabol mainly binds to special receptors in our body called androgen receptors (AR), which play a key role in developing muscles. Essentially, Oral Turinabol “finds” these receptors, activates them, and this action “switches on” the genes responsible for muscle growth. After Oral Turinabol reaches these receptors, it changes into a more potent form called 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) with the help of an enzyme. DHT binds even better to these receptors, amplifying the muscle-building process. This connection not only speeds up the response to weight training but also helps prevent muscle breakdown.
Preventing Muscle Loss:
Oral Turinabol and its interaction with another group of hormones, glucocorticoids, are also important in preventing muscle loss. While the exact way they work together is not fully understood, research indicates that using substances like Oral Turinabol can counteract the muscle-wasting effects of glucocorticoids, especially when combined with exercise.
Muscle Growth:
One main theory on how Oral Turinabol and similar substances aid muscle growth is by influencing a specific type of stem cell to become muscle cells rather than fat cells. This process involves a pathway controlled by androgens, the group of hormones that includes Oral Turinabol, which also stops new fat cells from forming.
Further research points to additional benefits. Once Oral Turinabol is bound to its receptor, it can activate various genes, setting up an environment rich in nitrogen. Nitrogen is crucial for cells to make proteins from amino acids, which is a key part of building muscle.
Effects of Oral Turinabol
Muscle Mass and Strength
Oral Turinabol directly influences muscle growth by increasing the number of androgen receptors, crucial for muscle development. The administration of Oral Turinabol leads to marked increases in muscle mass and strength. Studies mentioned in the document demonstrate that individuals administered with Oral Turinabol, alongside resistance training, observed significantly larger increases in muscle size and strength compared to a control group. This indicates a direct relationship between Oral Turinabol use and enhanced muscular development and strength.
Mechanisms of Muscle Growth
- Stimulation of Protein Synthesis: Oral Turinabol triggers the activation of genes involved in protein synthesis within muscle cells, facilitating muscle fiber development and repair. This is achieved through the anabolic effect of Oral Turinabol on muscle cells, encouraging them to merge and share the workload of growth and cell division.
- Influence on Satellite Cells: Oral Turinabol is thought to promote the differentiation of mesenchymal pluripotent cells into muscle cells rather than fat cells. This effect is further supported by resistance exercise, which increases the number of cells with multiple nuclei, enhancing muscle repair and growth.
- FGF2 and IGF-1 Levels: Treatment with Oral Turinabol has been associated with increased levels of Plasma FGF2 and IGF-1, both critical for skeletal muscle growth and development. This suggests a correlation between Oral Turinabol levels and these growth factors, leading to increased muscle growth.
Prevention of Muscle Catabolism
Oral Turinabol also plays a significant role in preventing muscle breakdown (catabolism), particularly in contexts of injury or disease. The document mentions the use of Oral Turinabol in preventing catabolism induced by severe burns, highlighting Oral Turinabol’s capability to not only enhance muscle growth but also aid in the preservation and recovery of muscle mass.
Endurance and Recovery
While the direct link between Oral Turinabol use and increased endurance is less clear, the document notes the anabolic effects of Oral Turinabol that indirectly support endurance through increased red blood cell count, enhancing oxygen delivery to muscles. Additionally, Oral Turinabol contributes to the repair of muscles, tendons, and ligaments after exercise and injury, promoting faster recovery and healing through mechanisms such as FGF2-mediated collagen synthesis.
In summary, Oral Turinabol, through various physiological mechanisms, significantly enhances muscle growth, strength, and recovery, underscoring its appeal in contexts where enhanced physical performance is desired. However, it’s crucial to balance these benefits against the potential health risks and ethical issues associated with Oral Turinabol use.
Side Effects
Cardiovascular Risks
Oral Turinabol can negatively impact the heart, potentially leading to high blood pressure, changes in the structure of the heart’s ventricles, myocardial ischemia, and even sudden cardiac death. These effects might have lasting consequences even after cessation of use.
Liver Toxicity
Although less hepatotoxic than some other oral steroids, Oral Turinabol still poses risks to liver health. The liver metabolizes steroids, and continuous use can lead to conditions such as cholestatic syndrome, chronic vascular injury, and possibly hepatic tumors. The effects on the liver can be reversible upon discontinuing the steroid.
Kidney Damage
There is limited but concerning evidence linking AAS use to acute renal failure and, in very isolated cases, Wilms’ tumors. Further research is needed to fully understand the impact on kidney health.
Skin Conditions
One of the most common side effects is an increase in acne, which can range from mild to severe forms like cystic acne or hemorrhagic acne. Oral Turinabol can also lead to oily skin, sebaceous cysts, androgenic alopecia due to its effects on skin-surface lipids.
Psychological Effects
The psychological impact of Oral Turinabol can vary widely, including both positive effects like increased alertness and self-confidence and negative effects such as increased aggression, irritability, and potential mood swings. There’s also a risk of developing an addiction or dependency characterized by increased psychopathy, antisocial behavior, and cognitive impairment.
Impact on Endocrine System
Oral Turinabol use can lead to disruptions in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, affecting the production and secretion of several hormones critical to body functions. This includes a decrease in hormones necessary for natural testosterone production in the testes, potentially leading to hypogonadism and fertility issues.
Changes in Blood Composition
AAS use is known to increase the hematocrit level, which can enhance oxygen delivery to muscles but also poses risks such as increased blood viscosity, potentially leading to clotting issues.
It’s crucial to approach the use of Oral Turinabol with caution, given these potential side effects. The allure of enhanced physical performance and muscle growth must be weighed against the significant health risks and ethical considerations surrounding AAS use.
Cycling stacking and dosages
For men using Oral Turinabol, the typical dosage ranges from 15-40mg daily, catering to various goals. Lower dosages, around 15-20mg daily, can still yield noticeable benefits, particularly in enhancing the effectiveness and synergy with other anabolic steroids, while also supporting recovery and endurance. For those seeking more significant anabolic advantages, a daily dosage closer to 40mg is found to be more efficacious. The recommended cycle duration for Oral Turinabol is between 6-8 weeks, with a strong recommendation not to exceed 8 weeks to mitigate liver strain. Post-cycle, it’s prudent to refrain from using any other C17-aa steroids for a period of 6-8 weeks to allow the liver to recover. Oral Turinabol pairs well with a broad array of anabolic steroids, enhancing its versatility in cycles, though it should not be combined with another C17-aa steroid to avoid compounding liver stress.
When stacking Oral Turinabol, users often incorporate it with non-C17-aa anabolic steroids to minimize liver stress. Effective stacks might include nandrolone decanoate for bulking phases, where the nandrolone provides substantial mass gains, and the Oral Turinabol adds lean muscle and strength without excessive water retention. For cutting or lean mass phases, stacking with testosterone enanthate can offer synergistic effects, where the testosterone provides a solid anabolic base, and Oral Turinabol contributes to muscle hardness and definition.
For women, the advised Oral Turinabol dosage falls within the 2.5-5mg daily range, minimizing the risk of virilization. However, individual sensitivity can vary, and any signs of virilization should prompt the discontinuation of use. Women’s cycles with Oral Turinabol should ideally not exceed 4-6 weeks to maintain a balance between benefits and the minimization of side effects. In terms of stacking, female users might consider safer options like Primobolan Depot, which offers anabolic benefits without the harsh side effects. However, caution is advised against using Oral Turinabol concurrently with other C17-aa steroids like Anavar due to the increased risk of liver stress.
In summary, both men and women can strategically use Oral Turinabol within cycles and stacks for enhanced performance, muscle growth, and recovery, with careful consideration of dosages, cycle lengths, and stacking options to optimize results while minimizing potential risks.
Summary
Oral Turinabol isn’t the most potent anabolic steroid available, but its advantages are significant, especially when considering its safety profile. This makes it particularly appealing for those who are sensitive to the side effects commonly associated with steroids. With careful management of cholesterol levels and avoiding additional liver strain, most individuals can use Oral Turinabol without encountering major issues. For male athletes, it’s important to note that this typically includes the use of exogenous testosterone alongside Oral Turinabol.
For female athletes, while Oral Turinabol can be beneficial, it isn’t the top recommendation. Despite its low androgenicity and minimal virilization risk, the chance of virilization remains somewhat higher than with other options. Women may find better alternatives in Anavar, Primobolan, Primobolan Depot, and Winstrol, with low doses of Equipoise also being a viable option for some.
Regardless of whether you’re a male or female athlete, exercise caution when purchasing Oral Turinabol. The market has a limited supply of high-quality Oral Turinabol, and legal complications can arise from its acquisition. It’s crucial to thoroughly investigate the brand and supplier before committing to a purchase. Equally important is a comprehensive understanding of the legal implications related to the purchase and use of Oral Turinabol in your region.