Anadrol — known in the underground world as “A-bombs” or “the king of orals” — is one of the most powerful anabolic steroids ever created. Used primarily during bulking cycles, it can deliver 10–20 lbs of mass in just 4–6 weeks.
But with great power comes great risk.
This article breaks down Anadrol cycles, dosage recommendations, and proven stacks, using clinical research, expert insights from doctors.
Anadrol (oxymetholone) is a synthetic derivative of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) developed in the 1960s and originally approved by the FDA to treat anemia caused by bone marrow failure or chronic illness (FDA Drug Label – Hemogenin ).
Despite its medical roots, Anadrol has become infamous among bodybuilders for its unmatched ability to increase muscle size and strength rapidly.
Key facts:
According to Anabolics by William Llewellyn, Anadrol is “among the most potent oral anabolics available,” capable of producing dramatic gains — but also significant side effects.
“It’s not a steroid you take lightly,” says Dr. Thomas O’Connor on The Anabolic Doc Podcast . “You’re playing with fire.”
Bodybuilders use Anadrol when they want maximum muscle gain in minimal time — especially during off-season bulk phases.
Top reasons include:
These benefits stem from multiple mechanisms:
Dr. Michael Ashenden, co-developer of the Athlete Biological Passport, explains:
“Steroids don’t build muscle — training does. But compounds like Anadrol change how your body responds to that stimulus… often at a biological cost.”
Source: WADA – Biological Passport Program
Let’s dive into how people actually run Anadrol in real-world cycles.
Anadrol is so toxic that even experienced users limit it to 4–6 weeks per cycle.
Longer durations dramatically increase liver damage risk.
| Cycle type | Duration | Notes |
| Beginner | 4 weeks | Lower dose, paired with TRT base |
| Intermediate | 5 weeks | Moderate dose, added injectable |
| Advanced | 6 weeks | High dose, stacked with other harsh compounds |
Why such short cycles?
William Llewellyn notes in Anabolics:
“Even therapeutic doses cause measurable liver strain. Recreational users face much higher risks.”
Source: Llewellyn, W. Anabolics. 2017
Bottom line: Never exceed 6 weeks — no matter how good the gains look.
Dosage determines both results and risk level.
Here’s a breakdown based on user reports, clinical data, and harm-reduction guidelines:
User report from r/steroids:
“Ran 30 mg/day for 4 weeks. Gained 12 lbs, felt strong, ALT went from 30 to 68. Safe window.”
Source: r/steroids – Reddit Community
Greg Doucette admitted on YouTube:
“I ran 50 mg/day. My strength jumped fast — but my liver paid the price.”
Source: Greg Doucette – YouTube Channel
Fact: There are three dosage tiers — beginner (25–30 mg), intermediate (50 mg), and advanced (75–100 mg) — each with increasing health risks.
Avoid going above 50 mg unless medically supervised.
Stacking Anadrol with other compounds enhances synergy — but also multiplies risks.
Below are the most popular and effective stacks used in the bodybuilding community.
Purpose: Replace suppressed natural testosterone
Cycle Length: 8 weeks
Dosing:
This is the minimum safe stack — never run Anadrol solo.
As Dr. Rand McClain states:
“Without exogenous testosterone, you crash post-cycle. It’s not optional.”
Source: Dr. Rand McClain – Regenerative Medicine Physician
Post-cycle therapy (PCT) must follow:
Purpose: Synergistic bulking combo
Dosing:
Benefits:
Drawbacks:
Simon Miller of More Plates More Dates calls this “the golden era stack” — though warns about long-term hormone recovery.
Source: More Plates More Dates – Website
Purpose: Maximize early gains
Dosing:
Known as the “double oral blast,” this combo is extremely liver-toxic.
Only recommended for:
⚠️ Warning: This combination can spike ALT levels over 200 U/L — dangerous territory.
Purpose: Aggressive mass and hardness
Dosing:
Used by advanced competitors pre-contest.
Pros:
Cons:
Chase Irons (Instagram: @chaseirons) advises:
“Don’t touch Tren unless you’ve done milder cycles first.”
Source: Chase Irons – Instagram Profile
Purpose: Transition from bulk to cut
Dosing:
Winstrol reduces water retention while preserving strength.
Result: A harder, more vascular appearance despite coming off a heavy oral.
Vigorous Steve tested this:
“Kept most of my size, lost the bloat. But liver enzymes were sky-high.”
Source: Vigorous Steve – YouTube Channel
Goal: First-time bulking
Duration: 5 weeks
Blood work recommended before and after.
Goal: Aggressive bulk
Duration: 6 weeks
Monitor hematocrit — Anadrol raises RBC count significantly.
Goal: Maximum size gain
Duration: 6 weeks
⚠️ This is extremely taxing — only for experienced users with medical supervision.
Running Anadrol without protection is reckless.
Essential supports include:
Other tips:
Dr. Jordan Grant, hormone optimization specialist:
“You wouldn’t drive without a seatbelt. Don’t run Anadrol without TUDCA.”
Source: Dr. Jordan Grant – Hormone Optimization Expert
You cannot safely use Anadrol without lab testing.
Required tests before, during (optional), and after:
| Marker | Normal range | Anadrol impact |
| ALT | <40 U/L | Can exceed 200 |
| AST | <40 U/L | Elevated |
| ALP | 40–129 U/L | May rise |
| Bilirubin | <1.2 mg/dL | Jaundice possible |
| HDL Cholesterol | >40 mg/dL | Drops by 30–50% |
| LDL Cholesterol | <100 mg/dL | Increases |
| Hematocrit | 38–50% | Can exceed 54% (dangerous) |
| Total Testosterone | 300–1000 ng/dL | Suppressed to <100 ng/dL |
Get tested at:
Anadrol shuts down natural testosterone production completely.
Skip PCT, and you face:
Standard PCT protocol:
Dr. Mike Israetel (RP Strength) emphasizes:
“PCT isn’t optional — it’s recovery. Your hormones need help bouncing back.”
Source: RP Strength – Research-Based Training
“Ran 50 mg/day with Test E. Gained 18 lbs. Liver enzymes spiked but came back down.” – u/BulkFastDieYoung
Source: r/steroids – Reddit Forum
“Used Anadrol + Deca. Felt amazing — until week 5. Then bloating killed my sleep.” – IronVeteran
Source: AnabolicMinds Forum
Admitted using Anadrol, called it “the king of orals” — but warned:
“It’s liver poison. I ran TUDCA the whole time.”
Source: Greg Doucette – YouTube Videos
Warns against solo use:
“Never run Anadrol without a solid TRT base. Your hormones will nuke.”
Source: Chase Irons – Social Media Presence
Dr. Eric Helms (PhD, CSCS) states:
“Natural lifters need patience. Gains come slower — but they’re sustainable.”
Source: Dr. Eric Helms – RP Strength Team
Here’s a clear summary based on all available evidence:
| Factor | Assessment |
| Effectiveness for Mass & Strength | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Extremely High) |
| Speed of Results | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very Fast) |
| Safety Profile | ⭐☆☆☆☆ (Poor – High Risk) |
| Sustainability of Gains | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ (Moderate – Water Loss Post-Cycle) |
| Legality | ⚠️ Illegal in many countries |
| Long-Term Health Impact | ❌ Potentially Harmful |
If you choose to use Anadrol:
But consider this: Can you achieve impressive results naturally?
Yes — with consistency, nutrition, sleep, and smart programming.
As Dr. Charles Yesalis says:
“Genetics set the ceiling. Effort determines how close you get. Steroids raise the ceiling — but also the floor of risk.”
Source: Dr. Charles Yesalis – Steroid Nation
Anadrol cycles should be limited to 4–6 weeks due to extreme liver toxicity. Longer use increases risk of permanent damage.
No — always pair it with exogenous testosterone (300–500 mg/week). Running Anadrol solo causes complete HPTA shutdown.
The safest effective stack is Anadrol + Testosterone + Deca-Durabolin — providing synergistic mass gains with manageable side effects.
Yes — natural testosterone production shuts down completely. Without PCT, you’ll experience depression, fatigue, and muscle loss.
Rarely. Due to high androgenicity, virilization (deep voice, clitoral enlargement) occurs quickly. Safer options include Anavar or SARMs — though still risky.
Both are powerful. Anadrol tends to produce greater initial strength and water weight, while Dianabol offers slightly cleaner mass with less liver impact.
Use TUDCA (500–1000 mg/day) and NAC (1200–1800 mg/day), avoid alcohol, and never combine with other oral steroids.
Test liver panel (ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin), lipid profile, CBC (hematocrit), and hormones (testosterone, estradiol, LH) before and after.
Anadrol delivers unmatched short-term gains in muscle and strength — backed by decades of clinical data and countless user testimonials.
But it comes with serious health risks, legal implications, and ethical questions — especially for competitive athletes.
Whether you’re considering its use or simply curious, understanding the full picture — from molecular mechanisms to real-world outcomes — empowers smarter decisions.
