Turinabol: Compound Profile, Benefits and Best Stacks

Turinabol is one of the most underrated compounds on the market. It doesn’t matter if you’re in for a bulking, recomposition, or cutting cycle, 

Tbol is there to get you that additional boost. You can stack it with any injectable ― not with other orals, mind you ― and get endurance, strength, vascularity, and lean muscle mass gains. 

Turinabol Compound Profile

Turinabol has been around since 1962. Like all steroids, it has been developed for medicinal purposes, muscle-wasting disease, HIV patients ― a standard package if you will. But the real history that makes Tbol stand out as one of the “Olympic” level drugs? It was one of the greatest tools in the East German Doping Machine.

German athletes popped Tbol prior to competition like vitamins. Female and male athletes alike. Of course, it was prohibited later as PED when steroid scandals took place in the 90s. At least officially ― you don’t think athletes who break world records are “clean”, do you?

Chemical structure

Characteristics

Turinabol is a C17-alpha alkylated compound, like all orals. However, bodybuilders note that Tbol is easier on the liver than Anavar, Anadrol or Dianabol. 

Liver values won’t shift if you stick to the recommended dosage, don’t mix it with other orals, or prolong the cycle duration. Simple as that.

Turinabol doesn’t impact your E2 (Estradiol) levels, so there are no estrogen-related side effects. Hence, lean and vascular physique, no water retention and no need for aromatase inhibitors on-cycle. If you’re prone to gyno, Tbol only protocol might be a good option.

If you stack it with Testosterone, you’ll need Arimidex, though. Tbol is effective, but it doesn’t act as a tool for estrogen control.

Turinabol effects

Turinabol isn’t your classic bulking or cutting agent, it’s special. It won’t make you lose weight overnight or add +20 lbs of muscle mass. The best you can do on a Tbol solo cycle is +5-8 lbs of lean muscle mass.

Numbers are not a thorough evaluation of the potential. Not managing expectations accordingly isn’t the drug’s fault, not the reason to look down on Tbol or declare its effects “insufficient”. Here’s why millions of athletes actually choose this compound:

• Lean muscle gains: you can gain up to 10 lbs if your nutrition and training regimen are in order. No “water” gains, just pure muscle mass and marble-hard physique;
• Recomposition: when used on a cutting cycle, Tbol preserves lean muscle mass, slightly accelerates weight loss, and can even help you add up to 5 lbs on a high-protein diet;
• Strength gains: strength boost becomes evident from the first week of the cycle. Your PBs can increase by 10-20% on all major lifts (benchpress, squats, rows, the works);
• Endurance boost: Tbol is one of the best ways to make explosive exercises and cardio tolerable. Endurance boost is instant and sticks around for the whole cycle, that’s why Turinabol is so popular among CrossFit athletes, cyclists, and runners;
• Increased libido: most bodybuilders note that Turinabol boosts your libido ― not “obsess-over-fantasies-and-jealous-to-a-nightstand-high” like with Tren ― just gets you in the mood;
• Cosmetic effects: Turinabol provides that dry look, the pump, and increased vascularity. It’s not as potent as with Anavar, but you’ll see the difference.

Another Tbol perk ― it doesn’t affect your appetite. If you’re trying to improve your muscles-to-fat ratio, there won’t be an urge to empty the fridge at 12 a.m (at least a compound-induced urge, if you do it, that’s on you). 

Some athletes note that Tbol can even reduce your appetite if you’re prone to heartburn or have any pre-existing digestive issues.

Turinabol side effects

Turinabol has a very mild side effects profile. Most bodybuilders experience none to little issues that don’t hold any influence over their routine. However, the side effects may include:

• Testosterone suppression;
• Acne;
• Hypertension;
• Heartburn, loss of appetite;
• Virilization (in women only, deepening of the voice, clitoral enlargement, facial hair);
• Hair thinning;
• Headaches;
• Sleep disturbance;
• Cholesterol imbalance;
• Calf and back pumps (not debilitating ones);
• Elevated liver enzyme levels.

Add Omega-3 to your diet and a few cardio sessions to your training regimen to prevent any cardiovascular issues. Taurine can help with calf and back pumps if they become a problem.

To avoid any strain on liver health, opt for TUDCA, UDCA or Liv-52.

How to take Turinabol?

Once you decide to go on a Turinabol cycle, make sure you choose an appropriate dosage for your goals. If it’s your first experience with Turinabol, start at the lower end and increase the dosage later.

The optimal administration time would be morning, as Turinabol can cause acid reflux, appetite loss and digestive issues. To ensure more stable concentration, it’s recommended to take Tbol twice per day (morning and evening is a pretty standard practice for oral compounds with short half-life).

Testosterone and Turinabol lean bulking cycle

You can add Masteron at 400-500 mg/week as a hardening agent to achieve a classic look.

Turinabol only cutting cycle

We recommend stacking Tbol with Testosterone to avoid excessive HPTA suppression after the cycle, but it’s not a black-or-white situation. 

If you’re extremely sensitive to aromatization and can’t add Testosterone to your protocol for some reason, you can go on a Turinabol-only cycle: 

Conclusion

Tbol is something from the safer side. The side effects seem like a child’s play if you already have experience with harsher compounds (like Tren, Dianabol, etc.). They exist, but they don’t impact your health. Much. 

If you’re looking for something safe, Tbol is exactly what you need. Gets you to your goal but doesn’t blow you up or crash your lipids.

Just don’t forget to stack it with Testosterone and run PCT after, HPTA suppression is a thing.

Common Questions About Turinabol

Here’s what our customers ask most often about Turinabol, and what we usually answer after the consultation with our IFBB-Pro. 

Do I need PCT after Turinabol? 

Yup, you need PCT after Turinabol, at least according to William Llewellyn, our experience, most PRO athletes, and common sense. Even though it’s mildly suppressive, it’s still suppressive, and Nolvadex is the way to get back on track without losing your progress after the Turinabol cycle. 

Can Turinabol cause anxiety?

Yes, Turinabol can cause anxiety and a whole spectrum of other mental side effects. 

As all hormonal compounds that mess with your HPTA axis, it can amplify the mental state you have in the moment. If it’s anxiety and depressive thoughts, it may get worse with Dbol. If it’s aggression and irritability, you’ll get a swing in that direction. 

It’s not that hard on your mental state, at least in comparison with Trenbolone and other hardcore steroids, but the risk is still there. 

Can Turinabol cause hair loss?

Turinabol can cause hair thinning in individuals prone to androgenic alopecia. Most bodybuilders don’t have any hair-related problems, as the compound has a low androgenic index. 

However, if you choose to stack it with compounds that are harsher to your hairline, the risks will significantly increase.

Is Turinabol better than Anavar? 

No, Turinabol is not better than Anavar, and it’s not worse. The two steroids are just made for different goals. 

Anavar is a final polishing compound, something to improve your dryness, vascularity, and the physique overall. 

Tbol, on the other hand, is more of an all-rounder. It’s not as expensive as Var and has slightly milder side effects (especially on lipids), though both have their unique benefits.

Turinabol has no “safest steroids of all time” flair, but it’s also suitable for women and is a great choice for your next lean bulk. 

Is Turinabol liver-toxic?

Turinabol is a C17-alkylated compound, so it is automatically liver toxic. Some athletes claim that it’s not as hard on your liver as other orals, but there’s no scientific evidence to back it up. 

As long as you follow dosage and cycle length guidelines, you don’t have to worry about liver health. Liver enzyme levels can be temporarily affected, but it’s not a permanent effect, they will go back to normal after compound cessation.

Can you cut on Turinabol? 

Yes, you can totally cut on Turinabol. In fact, cutting cycles is where this steroid shines best. Just keep in mind that 99% of cutting success comes from the kitchen and calorie deficit, not the vial. 

There are anecdotal reports of appetite loss on the Turinabol cycle. Endurance boost can definitely help you with cardio, making the cutting cycle more enjoyable.

Can women take Turinabol? 

Yes, though — as with all anabolic steroids — with caution. Turinabol has a suitable anabolic-androgenic ratio for female athletes, though it definitely loses the comparison to Anavar in this regard. 

The recommended dosage for women is 1-10 mg/day, with a cycle length of 4-5 weeks. Upping the dosage further can increase the risk of virilization effects.

How long can you take Turinabol for

As it is with pretty much all orals, it’s not recommended to exceed the cycle of Turinabol over 4-6 weeks. Your hormonal system, your muscles and your weights can go on and on, but your liver really needs a pause to restore its resources. 

How long for Turinabol to kick in

Turinabol kicks in from the first week of the cycle, as all orals do. First effects you’ll notice are strength and endurance gains, lean muscle mass, and cosmetic effects come into play a little later — usually from the third week of the cycle.

Can you stack Anavar and Turinabol? 

No, it’s not a good idea to stack Turinabol and Anavar. Stacking any two oral anabolic steroids is a no-no in general. As both oral compounds are 17-alpha-alkylated, you’ll get 2x the damage to your liver, and it’s not something you want to experience in the middle of your cut.

Is Turinabol better than Dianabol? 

Even though Turinabol is — technically — a Dianabol derivative, the answer is no. Turinabol is NOT better than Dianabol, it’s designed for a different purpose. Turinabol is a cutting all-rounder with a slightly safer side effects profile. Dianabol is a hardcore off-season bulker, the grandpa of all gear. The only common trait is that both are oral. 

You can’t cut on Dianabol (if you know what you’re doing, of course), and you don’t really want to bulk on Turinabol alone.

It’s pretty much like comparing a Jeep to a Ferrari and asking which is better: the answer 100% depends on whether you’re going to drive off-road or on a racetrack.