Dbol Profile
Methandrostenolone is a powerful anabolic steroid that first hit the market in 1958 under the trade name Dianabol given to it by Ciba Pharmaceuticals. Commonly referred to as Dbol, this oral steroid is one of the few anabolic steroids that was developed solely for the purpose of performance enhancement. The Soviet Union had been dominating the U.S. at the Olympic Games due to the U.S.S.R administering testosterone to their athletes. In an effort to combat their foe, U.S. team physician John Ziegler with the help of Ciba would develop Dbol. With the use of this steroid, and often in conjunction with exogenous testosterone, the U.S. would once again dominate the games. Although anabolic steroids had been around for quite some time, nearly thirty years, this would be what largely birthed the modern era of performance enhancement.
The success of Dbol was undeniable, and while many steroids have come and gone sine its inception it has remained a top the list of the greatest of all time. Unfortunately, Ciba would pull Dbol off the shelves in 1983 due to mounting FDA pressure. However, there are still to this day numerous pharmaceutical brands of Methandrostenolone to choose from across the world. There is no Dbol or related steroid in existence in the U.S. pharmaceutical market anymore, but the worldwide supply of this steroid is through the roof. This is one of the most common anabolic steroids on earth, and by far the most popular and one of the most effective oral steroids of all time.
Dbol Traits:
Methandrostenolone is an oral anabolic steroid that has been C17-alpha alkylated (C17-aa) in order for it to survive oral ingestion. It also holds a double bond at the carbon 1 and 2 position in order to lower its androgenic activity. Dbol is a testosterone derived steroid, but due to the alteration its androgenic activity is much weaker. This does not necessarily weaken its power. Dbol has been shown to have an extremely positive effect on protein synthesis, nitrogen retention and glycogenolysis. All of this leads to a more potent anabolic atmosphere that is perfect for increasing lean muscle mass and strength.
Dbol carries a relatively short active half-life of approximately six hours. This makes daily administration of the steroid necessary. For maximum absorption, Dbol works best when taken on an empty stomach. The bioavailability of Dbol decreases when taken with food due to its fat-soluble nature. When taken with food, a portion of the hormone will be wasted along with undigested food.
Side Effects of Dbol:
There are several issues regarding the side effects of Dbol you must be aware of if supplementation is to be attempted. You must be a healthy adult male if you are going to use this steroid. Men who suffer from high blood pressure or cholesterol or any type of liver ailment should not touch this steroid. Women must also avoid Dbol. This steroid will promote strong virilization symptoms; virilization referring to the promotion of masculine like characteristics. For the healthy adult male, there are five areas of concern that must be addressed, specifically, the steroids relation to estrogenic and androgenic activity, its hepatic nature, cardiovascular related and testosterone suppression.
· Estrogenic: Dbol aromatizes at a fairly decent rate. Aromatization refers to the conversion of testosterone into estrogen. Excess estrogen can lead to
gynecomastia (male breast enlargement) and excess water retention. Dbol is well known for its water retention promotion, and if it gets out of control this
can have a very negative impact on blood pressure.
If order to combat the related estrogenic conditions, those who use Dbol will often need an anti-estrogen medication. Selective Estrogen Receptor
Modulators (SERM’s) and Aromatase Inhibitors (AI’s) are your choices. SERM’s will bind to the receptor preventing estrogen from binding. AI’s will inhibit
the aromatase process from occurring and lower the body’s total estrogen levels. AI’s are the most effective combatant of the estrogenic side effects of
Dbol, but they can have a significant negative impact on cholesterol. SERM’s should be your first choice as they will not negatively affect cholesterol,
and they can do a decent job with gynecomastia. However, they’re not always enough and often do little to combat serious water retention.
· Androgenic: Dbol is not a highly androgenic steroid. Its androgenic activity is strong enough to promote virilization, but most men will not have an
issue with its slight androgenic nature. Acne is possible with this steroid, but keeping the skin clean and dry at all times is enough for most men.
Androgenic issues such as hair loss and prostate enlargement are rarely a concern.
· Hepatic: Dbol is a C17-aa anabolic steroid. This allows it to survive the first pass through the liver, but it also makes it hepatotoxic. Liver enzyme
values will increase with use, but values should return to normal shortly after use is discontinued if use was of a responsible nature. This will result in
no damage to the liver being done. Responsible use of Dbol will normally limit its use to no more than six weeks at a time with at least six weeks of no
Dbol or any other C17-aa anabolic steroid after the six weeks of use. It is also advised you avoid all heavy alcohol consumption, as this will be extremely
taxing to the liver. Over the counter medications should also be avoided when possible due to many carrying a strong and sometimes stronger hepatic nature.
· Cardiovascular: Dbol can have a negative impact on cholesterol, both HDL (good cholesterol) and LDL (bad cholesterol) levels. This can normally be
controlled with a healthy diet and exercise, but keep in mind the possible need for an AI to combat estrogenic effects may make this a little more
difficult. It is imperative you live a healthy lifestyle when using this steroid, and it’s extremely important you keep a close eye on your cholesterol
levels.
· Testosterone: Dbol will suppress naturel testosterone levels. It’s not as suppressive as steroids like Nandrolone or Trenbolone, but it is suppressive enough to warrant exogenous testosterone therapy. The use of Dbol without exogenous testosterone will result in a low testosterone condition. Once the use of Dbol and all anabolic steroids is complete, natural testosterone production will begin again. It should be noted; natural testosterone recovery is dependent on no prior low testosterone condition existing. It is also dependent on the HPTA not being severely damaged by improper anabolic steroid use.
Dbol Use:
Dbol is most commonly used at the beginning of a new off-season mass gaining phase. This provides a kick-start while the slower acting injectable steroids are building in your system. Such related use can provide as much as a 20lb gain in mere weeks, and it will see dramatic increases in strength obtained. Dbol can also be used as a mid-cycle agent in order to break though sticking points. When the gains begin to slow or progress comes to a complete halt, the introduction of Dbol will see them continue once again. Some athletes will also find this to be beneficial when mass gains are not the primary objective due to this steroid’s ability to promote strength and power. If weight gain is an issue they wish to avoid, they may need to choose another steroid. However, often a massive increase in size can be avoided simply by adjusting the diet as Dbol is largely dependent on the food we eat.
Most athletes, regardless of the purpose of use, will find 20mg per day for six weeks to be a great starting point. If the steroid is tolerated well, 30mg per day can be attempted the next go around. 50mg per day is a very common dose among veteran steroid users, but this will make estrogenic side effects a little more difficult to control; however, still very possible. Doses above 50mg per day will result in the side effect to reward ratio being greatly skewed and can normally not be advised.