Anadrol Side Effects

Anadrol is very well established as one of the more ‘harsh’ anabolic steroids, especially where hepatotoxicity is concerned. The high levels of hepatotoxicity associated with Anadrol leave very little length for Anadrol to be used, and it is recommended that Anadrol be run for periods of no longer than 4 – 6 weeks at a time. Anadrol side effects are very harsh in other aspects as well, such as its high Estrogenic activity in spite of the fact that Anadrol is unable to convert to Estrogen via the aromatase enzyme. This property of Anadrol is largely a mystery, as is the case with various other Anadrol side effects. For example, it is widely understood that Anadrol possesses a lower androgenic rating than Testosterone (Anadrol’s rating is that of 45 versus Testosterone’s rating of 100), yet in some individuals, strong androgenic side effects present themselves. It is safe to say that it is due to these factors alone that Anadrol is not a suitable anabolic steroid for beginners, and is best suited for the intermediate to advanced tiers of anabolic steroid users.

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Estrogenic Side Effects of Anadrol

Anadrol is a heavily Estrogenic compound, but its Estrogenic activity does not originate from the conversion of Anadrol into Estrogen – it is chemically unable to convert into Estrogen through interaction with the aromatase enzyme. Therefore, its Estrogenic side effects are due to a largely unknown mysterious nature, but it is theorized that Anadrol itself may act as an Estrogen in various tissues of the body. Anadrol side effects of concern that are Estrogenic in nature include: water retention (bloating), possible fat gain/retention, development of gynecomastia. Due to the fact that Anadrol does not aromatize into Estrogen, aromatase inhibitors will be completely useless in combating Anadrol-related Estrogenic side effects (such as bloating for example). Because of the inability to combat water retention and bloating with the use of aromatase inhibitors, there is essentially no defense against the excess water weight and bloating issue aside from adjustments in diet (and even dietary adjustments are limited in their results). Gynecomastia can be effectively prevented, blocked, and combated with the use of a SERM, such as Nolvadex. Note, however, that SERMs will only block the activity of Estrogen at breast tissue receptor sites and do not serve to reduce total Estrogen levels in the body, which is why this treatment will not solve water retention/bloating issues. Some have hypothesized that the Estrogenic action of Anadrol is actually due to possible progestogenic activity associated with Anadrol (much like protestogenic activity associated with Nandrolone). However, cannot possibly be the case, as one study conducted on Anadrol which examined potential progestational activity had determined that Anadrol in fact possesses no progestogenic attributes or activity[1].

Androgenic Side Effects

Anadrol possesses a lower androgenic rating than Testosterone, by nearly half. Anadrol holds an androgenic rating of 45, while Testosterone holds a rating of 100. However, Anadrol side effects do still include those of an androgenic nature and it is reported by a number of users that they tend to experience harsher androgenic side effects than its rating should suggest. Anadrol has been demonstrated to convert into Dihydrotestosterone in spite of its nature as a DHT-derivative. The key in this situation is to understand that Anadrol does not convert into DHT by way of the 5-alpha Reductase enzyme, as it being a DHT-derivative cannot interact with this enzyme. Instead, studies have demonstrated that it is through simple metabolism of Anadrol in the body has been found to remove the 2-hydroxymethylene group from Anadrol (one of its modifications from its parent hormone DHT), which reduces Anadrol into a far stronger androgen known as 17-alpha-methyl dihydrotestosterone (AKA Mestanolone)[2]. Mestanolone holds an androgenic rating of 78 – 254, which at the uppermost range is that of triple the androgenic strength of Testosterone. It is believed that it is through this mechanism that many individuals tend to experience far more exaggerated androgenic Anadrol side effects than would otherwise be had from Anadrol alone. Androgenic side effects include the following: increased sebum secretion (oily skin), increased bouts of acne (linked to increased sebum secretion), bodily and facial hair growth, and the increased risk of triggering Male Pattern Baldness (MPB) in individuals that possess the genetic trait required for the condition to manifest itself.

HPTA and Endogenous Testosterone Production Side Effects

All anabolic steroids produce the potential side effect of endogenous natural Testosterone suppression and/or shutdown. Anadrol side effects are no exception to this. In fact, the post-cycle ‘crash’ from Anadrol can perhaps become the worst out of any anabolic steroid due to the nature of the compound itself. As Anadrol places a very large amount of mass on an individual in a very short period of time, it can often be expected that this mass will begin to disappear almost as quickly as it had been added. Dramatic loss in weight from Anadrol in the post-cycle weeks can be largely due to the loss of water retention created by Anadrol. The muscle mass itself can often be preserved by the quick and speedy restoration of endogenous Testosterone production through the inclusion of a very strong Post Cycle Therapy (PCT) program following the termination of a cycle, where Testosterone-stimulating compounds are utilized.

Hepatotoxic Side Effects

Hepatotoxicity is Anadrol’s number one factor it is notorious for when it comes to Anadrol side effects. It has been previously mentioned that Anadrol is C17-Alpha Alkylated, which is a primary contributor to the hepatotoxic effects of the compound. However, what is interesting to note is the fact that Anadrol possesses in its structure what is known as a saturated A ring, which is supposed to reduce the hepatotoxicity of the compound[3]. However, despite this fact, evidence has demonstrated that Anadrol still places a considerable measurable amount of hepatotoxicity on the body. Studies have been conducted whereby 50 – 100mg of Anadrol daily had been administered to 31 male HIV positive test subjects for a period of 12 weeks, where the results displayed significant spikes in y-glutamyltransferase (GGT) in 17% of the subjects, large bilirubin increases in 10% of subjects, and serum albumin increased in 20% of subjects[4]. Many individuals have been diagnosed with life-threatening liver tumors known as peliosis hepatitis, which have been linked to the use of Anadrol. It is therefore recommended to run use Anadrol in a judicious manner for no longer than a 4 – 6 week period. It is also highly recommended that users supplement with a proven liver support and health supplement, such as TUDCA/UDCA while using oral anabolic steroids.

Cariovascular Side Effects

Cardiovascular strain is one of the more pronounced and serious Anadrol side effects. Cardiovascular strain and negative cholesterol changes are a side effect common among all anabolic steroids, and especially oral steroids. This involves the reduction of HDL (the good cholesterol) and increases of LDL (the bad cholesterol). The result of such changes involves an increased risk of arteriosclerosis, and the degree to which these changes occur for the worse are usually dose-dependent (with higher doses increasing the negative changes and the risks). Other factors that affect these negative cholesterol changes are: duration of use, and route of administration. In terms of the route of administration, oral anabolic steroids are known for having a reputation as being much worse for their negative impacts on cholesterol in comparison to injectable anabolic steroids. This is because the liver serves to function as the cholesterol processing center for the human body, and the increased hepatotoxicity associated with anabolic steroids will result in even worse negative cholesterol changes. Anadrol in particular is extremely notorious for this, as its resistance to structural breakdown in the liver is very high. Studies whereby a group of males administered 50 – 100mg of Anadrol for a 12 week period have demonstrated dangerously significant increases in LDL and reduction of HDL (reduced by 19 – 23 points)[5].

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It is important in this case that any user of anabolic steroids no matter the preparation (oral or injectable) take the appropriate precautions to make the proper adjustments in their diet habits that favor positive cholesterol maintenance and changes, especially when running cycles of anabolic steroids, including supplementation with any cardiovascular health support supplements.