Halotestin—also known as fluoxymesterone—is one of the most feared and respected oral steroids in the bodybuilding and strength world. Not for mass, not for size, but for raw aggression, power, and mental drive.
Used historically by Olympic weightlifters, boxers, and elite powerlifters, Halotestin delivers explosive strength increases in as little as 3–4 weeks. But it comes at a steep cost: liver toxicity, cholesterol damage, and extreme mood shifts.
Halotestin (fluoxymesterone) is a C17-alpha alkylated oral anabolic steroid derived from dihydrotestosterone (DHT). First developed by Winthrop Laboratories in 1956, it was originally prescribed for conditions like hypogonadism, breast cancer, and anemia—but was discontinued due to its severe side effect profile.
Today, it’s primarily used off-label by:
Key fact: Halotestin does not convert to estrogen and has minimal water retention, making it ideal for dry, functional strength—not size.
Halotestin works through several powerful physiological pathways:
A 1963 study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that fluoxymesterone significantly increased erythropoiesis (RBC production) in hypogonadal men [^1].
[^1]: Bardin CW, et al. (1963). Metabolism of Fluoxymesterone in Man. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 23(6), 577–585. https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem-23-6-577
This makes Halotestin uniquely effective for performance enhancement, not aesthetic gains.
Unlike mass-building steroids like Dianabol or Anadrol, Halotestin is used for functional, neurological, and psychological advantages.
Users report 10–25% increases in 1RM lifts within 3–4 weeks.
“Added 60 lbs to my bench and 100 lbs to my squat in 28 days. Felt unstoppable.” – User report, AnabolicMinds forum
These gains are not from muscle growth—but from increased CNS drive, pain threshold, and neuromuscular efficiency.
Often called “liquid courage,” Halotestin enhances:
This is why it was historically used by Olympic lifters and boxers before competition.
Because it doesn’t aromatize, there’s zero bloat—making it ideal for athletes who need to stay lean and defined.
As little as 10–20 mg/day produces noticeable effects, reducing (but not eliminating) risk compared to higher-dose orals.
Allows for quick clearance from the system—useful for athletes needing to pass drug tests post-competition.
Halotestin is one of the most toxic oral steroids ever made. Its benefits come with serious health trade-offs.
As a C17-alpha alkylated compound, Halotestin places significant stress on the liver.
Clinical evidence shows:
“I ran 20 mg/day for 4 weeks. My ALT went from 30 to 720. Scariest blood work I’ve ever seen.” – Reddit r/steroids user
Recommendation: Use TUDCA (500–1000 mg/day) or NAC (1200–1800 mg/day) for liver support.
Halotestin devastates lipid profiles.
Studies show:
[^2]: Kutscher CL, et al. (1965). Effect of Fluoxymesterone on Serum Lipids. Metabolism, 14(10), 1183–1189. https://doi.org/10.1016/0026-0495(65)90072-6
This makes it dangerous for users with pre-existing heart conditions.
Despite being DHT-derived, Halotestin is extremely androgenic:
Halotestin completely suppresses natural testosterone production, even at low doses.
“After 4 weeks on 15 mg/day, my total testosterone was 190 ng/dL. Took 10 weeks to recover.” – Steroidology forum user
PCT is mandatory.
Dr. Mike Israetel warns:
“Halotestin doesn’t just make you stronger—it can make you mean. It’s not for social settings or family life.”
— RP Strength Podcast – “Oral Steroids: The Truth”
Due to its toxicity, less is more with Halotestin.
Critical note: There is no safe dose of Halotestin—only less dangerous ones.
| Week | Superdrol (mg/day) | Tudca (mg/day) | Preparation for PCT |
| 1–4 | 20 | 500 | None |
| 5–6 | 0 | 500 | Clomid 25mg/day |
| 7–8 | 0 | 500 | Nolvadex 20mg/day |
Never exceed 6 weeks. Liver damage risk increases exponentially after this point.
Halotestin causes complete shutdown of the HPTA axis. Without PCT, you risk:
Start PCT 3–5 days after last dose (short half-life):
Dr. Abraham “Abby” Lock states:
“You cannot skip PCT on Halotestin. Your body will not recover on its own. Blood work post-cycle is non-negotiable.”
— Dr. Abby Lock, The Hormone Optimization Podcast
Insights from forums like AnabolicMinds , Steroidology , and Reddit r/steroids reveal a consistent theme: extreme results, extreme risks.
These align with clinical findings: high reward, high risk.
| Compound | Strength focus | Liver toxicity | Estrogenic sides | Best for |
| Halotestin | ✔✔✔✔ (Aggression, Power) | High | None | Pre-Meet, Combat Sports |
| Dianabol | ✔✔✔ (Mass, Strength) | Moderate | High | Bulking |
| Anadrol | ✔✔✔✔ (Mass, RBC) | Very High | None | Mass, Anemia |
| Anavar | ✔ (Mild Strength) | Low-Moderate | None | Cutting, Women |
Semantic insight: Halotestin is to strength what Anadrol is to mass.
Even if you choose to use Halotestin, follow these evidence-based harm reduction practices:
Greg Doucette emphasizes:
“Halotestin isn’t a supplement. It’s a pharmaceutical-grade steroid with real dangers. If you’re not tracking your liver, you’re gambling with your health.”
— YouTube: “I Took Halotestin for 30 Days”
Experts across medicine, performance science, and bodybuilding unanimously agree: Halotestin (fluoxymesterone) is one of the most potent and high-risk oral anabolic steroids available. While effective for short-term strength and aggression, its hepatotoxicity, lipid disruption, and complete HPTA suppression make it unsuitable for most users.
These insights—drawn from clinical studies, hormone specialists, pharmacists, and real-world user data—provide a fact-based, authoritative perspective on Halotestin’s use, risks, and outcomes.
“Halotestin doesn’t build muscle—it builds performance. It increases red blood cell count, aggression, and CNS drive. But it also destroys HDL cholesterol and suppresses testosterone completely, even at 10 mg/day.”
— The Anabolic Doctor Podcast – “Oral Steroids: Power vs. Poison”
“If you’re considering Halotestin, you should already be on a stable testosterone base. It’s not a standalone compound. And you must have liver support, blood work, and a PCT plan. There’s no safe way to misuse this drug—only less dangerous ones.”
— RP Strength – “Steroid Cycling: Risk Stratification”
Scientific Context:
In The Scientific Principles of Strength Training [^1], Israetel classifies Halotestin as a “high-risk, narrow-application” steroid, suitable only for advanced, monitored users preparing for competition.
“Fluoxymesterone has one of the highest androgen receptor binding affinities of any oral steroid. That’s why users report extreme aggression and vascularity. But it also means complete shutdown of natural testosterone within days.”
— 3D Muscle Journey – “Steroid Pharmacology Deep Dive”
Clinical Evidence:
A 1963 study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that fluoxymesterone reduced HDL cholesterol by 60% and increased LDL in all subjects after just 3 weeks of use [^2].
[^2]: Horton R, Tait JF. (1963). Metabolic Studies of Fluoxymesterone in Man. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 23(5), 491–500. https://doi.org/10.1210/jcem-23-5-491
“I’ve seen ALT levels over 1,200 in patients after a 4-week Halotestin cycle. That’s acute liver injury territory. Even with TUDCA, the risk is too high for any non-competitive use.”
— Gillett Medical – Hormone & Performance Blog
Medical Warning:
Dr. Gillett emphasizes that C17-alpha alkylated orals like Halotestin cause direct hepatocyte stress and should never be combined with alcohol, acetaminophen, or other liver burdens.
“I used Halotestin at 20 mg/day for a powerlifting meet. I PR’d my squat by 90 pounds. But I was angry, paranoid, and my skin broke out like a 14-year-old. Blood work showed liver enzymes at 780. Not worth it.”
— YouTube: “I Took Halotestin for 28 Days”
User Experience + Harm Reduction:
Doucette now advises against Halotestin for all but the most advanced athletes, citing mood instability, acne, and irreversible liver strain as major downsides.
“Fluoxymesterone is extremely hepatotoxic. It’s a DHT derivative with fluorine atoms that increase receptor binding—but also increase liver stress. There is no safe dose of Halotestin, only less dangerous ones.”
— Your Friendly Pharmacist – “Oral Steroids: What They Don’t Tell You”
Given the risks, many experts recommend alternatives that offer similar benefits with less toxicity.
Provides steady strength, recovery, and mood support with manageable side effects when monitored.
Dr. Thomas O’Connor (“The Anabolic Doctor”) says:
“Testosterone is the foundation. Everything else is optional. It’s safer and more sustainable.”
— The Anabolic Doctor Podcast
Highly androgenic, increases aggression and strength, but less liver stress than orals.
Still requires PCT and carries cardiovascular risks.
Milder compounds that mimic anabolic effects without liver toxicity.
However:
“SARMs aren’t candy. They’re still drugs with real consequences.”
— Dr. Mike Israetel, RP Strength [^3]
[^3]: Israetel M, et al. (2020). The Scientific Principles of Strength Training. Renaissance Periodization. https://renaissanceperiodization.com
For most gym-goers:
Dr. Kyle Gillett advises:
“Most people don’t need Halotestin. They need better recovery and consistency.”
— Gillett Medical, Hormone Optimization Guide
Halotestin is:
Despite this, it’s still sold on the black market and underground labs (UGLs), often mislabeled or contaminated.
“Half the ‘Halotestin’ out there is fake or cut with Epistane.”
— Your Friendly Pharmacist, YouTube [^4]
[^4]: Your Friendly Pharmacist – “Oral Steroids Explained”
Short answer: For 99% of people, no.
Halotestin delivers unmatched strength and aggression, but the risks—especially to liver, heart, and mental health—far outweigh the benefits for recreational users.
Even then, strict limits apply: 4 weeks max, liver support, PCT, no alcohol.
Primarily for raw strength, aggression, and performance enhancement—not muscle mass.
Absolutely not. It causes rapid virilization (facial hair, voice deepening, clitoral enlargement).
No. It does not aromatize, so no risk of gynecomastia or water retention.
3–6 weeks maximum. Most experts recommend 4 weeks to minimize liver damage.
Yes, absolutely. It causes complete testosterone suppression. Use Clomid + Nolvadex for 4–6 weeks.
No. Alcohol increases liver stress and can lead to acute liver injury.
Used by users on Steroidology and AnabolicMinds .
The strength boost is largely neurological—so some performance drop is normal. But if you trained hard, muscle memory and technique gains remain.
Rarely. Due to toxicity, stacking with other orals is strongly discouraged. Some advanced users combine it with Testosterone or Trenbolone, but this increases risk.
| Myth | Fact |
| “Halotestin builds muscle like Dianabol.” | False. It enhances strength via CNS drive, not hypertrophy. |
| “It’s safe at 10 mg/day.” | False. Even low doses cause liver strain and suppression. |
| “It doesn’t affect cholesterol.” | False. HDL drops by 50–70%—cardiovascular risk is real. |
| “Women can use it in small doses.” | Dangerous. Virilization occurs fast and is often irreversible. |
| “It’s better than Tren for aggression.” | Subjective. Tren builds mass; Halotestin boosts mental drive. |
| “Liver support makes it safe.” | False. TUDCA helps but doesn’t eliminate risk. |
| “You don’t need PCT because it’s short.” | False. Suppression is complete—even after 3 weeks. |
| “It’s natural because it was a prescription drug.” | False. Being prescription doesn’t make it safe for off-label use. |
| “It’s okay to use once a year.” | Still risky. One cycle can cause lasting liver or mood issues. |
| “It’s just a strong Anavar.” | False. Anavar is mild; Halotestin is one of the most potent orals ever made. |
