Anabolic steroids are commonly used off-label to help improve physical performance and aid in lean body gains in size and strength. Chlorodehydromethyltestosterone (CDMT), known by its brand name Oral Turinabol (T-Bol), is an anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) and a derivative of methandienone (dehydromethyltestosterone), otherwise known as Dianabol (D-Bol). We’re going to talk more about Turinabol, what it does, how it works, and the side effects.

What Is Turinabol (T-Bol)

Turinabol is what we call a “designer steroid”. The term specifically refers to the development of an AAS to evade the detection from anti-doping agencies, like the World-Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

T-bol, belongs to the family of steroids synthesized from testosterone. However, Turinabol, is directly derived from metandienone, also known as methandienone, methandrostenolone or its brand name Dianabol (D-Bol).

Turinabol is part of the 17α-alkylated AAS group, (Winstrol, Anavar, Dianabol) and has a 17α-methyl substituent, to limit first pass metabolism.

In the 1940s, it was discovered that 17α-alkyl substitution retards the presystemic metabolism of testosterone, extending its half-life and making it orally active.

Oral Turinabol was the first synthesized product of Jenapharm, a German pharmaceutical company and patented in 1961. Its generic name is Chlorodehydromethyltestosterone (CDMT), which is the result of combining methandrostenolone (derived from Testosterone) and Clostebol (4-clorotestosterone).

Originally, the structures were combined, to form a milder, less androgenic alternative to D-Bol. In 1965, East Germany produced this compound, giving  a “drier” effect, by reducing water gain, as compared to dianabol, to help athletes, especially swimmers.

Turinabol, was primarily developed for use in sports doping with athletes. T-Bol, was the key steroid administered to over 10,000 athletes, as part of the secret doing program, called State Plan Topic 14.25. Germany conducted a decades long program from 1968-1989, of coercive administration and distribution of performance enhancing drugs (PEDS), initially testosterone, followed by many androgenic-anabolic derivatives of testosterone, to elite athletes.

How Does Turinabol Work, What Does Turinabol Do

Turinabol activates the androgen receptor (AR). Activation of the androgen receptor stimulates protein synthesis, which increases muscle growth, lean body mass and bone mineral density.

AASs were created as a potential alternative to testosterone, to have more anabolic and less androgenic effects. Anabolic androgenic steroids such as Turinabol, potentiate androgen receptor activity and have high tissue selectivity for muscle and bone. Testosterone esters have a high ratio of anabolic to androgenic effects. Turinabol has a ratio of anabolic:androgenicity of 54:6.

Compared to other AAS, Turinabol is far weaker, and with a shorter half-life of 16 hours, it is used daily. T-Bol, is only 50% as anabolic compared to testosterone, which is the base of all AAS, and has a rating of 100.

Although all AAS are derived from testosterone, Turinabol is not synthesized from nandrolone, or dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In general, the compounds derived from testosterone, are:

• Equipoise (EQ), (Boldenone)
• Dianabol (D-BOL), (Methandrostenolone)
• Halotestin (Fluoxymesterone)
• Turinabol (T-BOL), Chlorodehydromethyltestosterone)

Turinabol, is not a substrate for aromatase, therefore, is not converted into estrogen and does not carry any estrogenic side effects, due to the added 4-chloro group. It also has limited affinity for 5α-reductase, reducing androgenic side effects.

Turinabol lowers SHBG, and in theory will raise free testosterone, however, will shut down HPG, and can cause hypogonadism, and overtime lower endogenous testosterone production.

Increases Lean Body Mass

Like other AASs, Turinabol is used as a performance and image enhancing drug, to increase lean body mass (muscle and bone), due to its high affinity for the androgen receptor.

Activation of the androgen receptor stimulates protein synthesis, which increases muscle growth, lean body mass and bone mineral density.

Considering that this anabolic agent was used in a secret doping program, and established before the Kefauver Harris Amendment in 1962, there would have been minimal detection, in its use at that time. That also means that human clinical trials and research is extremely limited. Most research that can be found, are pharmacokinetic or metabolic studies.

17α-alkylated AASs, have a higher binding affinity for the AR, therefore, it will create and build more lean body mass.

Turinabol possesses the same general chemical structure of Dianabol along with the 4-chloro substitution that Clostebol possesses. The result is that T-bol becomes a much milder hormone than its parent hormone Dianabol.

The molecular makeup of T-bol does present a much weaker AAS compound than Dianabol, yet still produce anabolic effects, with greater potentiation for muscle mass and strength.

Turinabol (T-bol) Side Effects

All Carbon 17α-alkylated compounds which allow oral bioavailability, due to their ability to limit first-pass metabolism, will exhibit a measure of liver toxicity. This make take several forms, including transient elevations in liver enzyme concentrations, cholestasis, and hepatic tumors.

AAS have diverse and numerous effects on the cardiovascular system. Supra-physiological and chronic use of AAS, can cause myocardial infarction, heart failure, coronary disease, and stroke.

Turinabol will suppress natural testosterone levels.

The use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) suppresses the secretion of the pituitary luteinizing hormone (LH), sexual binding hormone binding glubulin (SHBG), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). This effect results from negative feedback of androgens on the hypothalamic-pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis.

The proven adverse effects of AASs include suppression of the gonadal axis and infertility, hirsutism and defeminization in women, and erythrocytosis. Although, considering that turinabol has a higher binding affinity for muscle and bone tissue and far less androgenicity, virilizing effects, will be minimized as compared to testosterone and other testosterone derivatives. Thus, Turinabol is a popular steroid used by women.

Turinabol is non-aromatic, and does not aromatize to estrogen, which may cause a hormonal imbalance, between testosterone and estrogen. Since it is not aromatized, and does not have affinity for the estrogen receptor,

Turinabol, is already 5α reduced, therefore, it is not potentiated in androgenic tissues such as the skin, hair follicles, and prostate gland. Although androgenic effects still exists, hence why it is referred to as an anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS). Anabolic steroid induced hypogonadism (ASIH), can also occur, especially in larger doses, typically taken by recreational users and bodybuilders.

Rarely are AAS taken alone, but almost always taken concomitantly for synergistic effects, which may also cause elevated dose-dependent side effects.

Turinabol (T-bol): Takeaway

Compared to other androgenic-anabolic steroids, Turinabol, is a much milder compound.

Turinabol  possesses an anabolic rating of 54, and a very low androgenic rating of 6, making it favorable, with minimal androgenic effect.  Although the anabolic strength is considerably less than Dianabol’s rating of 90 – 210, Winstrols 320 rating, and Anavar at 322-630 rating. The distinct distance between Turinabol’s anabolic and androgenic effects tend to be far more favorable as opposed to the anabolic rating.

Thus, the potential anabolic effects and weaker androgenic effects, make this AAS favorable, for lack of virilization, which also makes it a popular choice for women.