Dianabol stands on its own and will be the go-to off-season fast-acting bulking steroid for most of us. Doses of this nature are hazardous, as they severely open the door to adverse effects. The Dbol cycle below is not something I can recommend in the name of safety. One of its primary uses and benefits is as a kickstart compound in a cycle. When testosterone levels are low, we see all of the above suppressed. Thus, when you administer Dbol, your testosterone levels will rise to unnaturally high levels. In terms of weight gain, it’s common for users to gain 20 pounds in the first 30 days on Dianabol (3). Strength gains on Dianabol are prominent and can be experienced in the early stages of a cycle. This was used in a clinical setting on 19 men, in which 100% of them recovered their natural testosterone production 45 days after taking steroids. The reason why oral steroids become less active when taken in conjunction with food is that they’re fat-soluble compounds. Elite bodybuilders (IFBB pros) may take up to 100 mg; however, the risk of developing side effects is high with such mega doses. "Dose-dependent increases in liver stress markers and blood pressure have been observed with oral anabolic use in resistance-trained men."— Hartgens & Kuipers, Sports Medicine Side effects become more pronounced with longer cycles or lack of testosterone base. Side effects escalate sharply as dosages increase, especially when cycles exceed 6 weeks or fail to include proper support compounds. In general, 37% of steroid users will experience some form of gynecomastia (11). Gynecomastia occurs when a man’s hormones become imbalanced and estrogen levels (the female sex hormone) rise excessively. Furthermore, we find that drugs that treat high estrogen levels can harm blood lipids (except for Nolvadex). Because of its potency and hepatotoxicity, Dianabol dosage should be carefully tailored to the user’s experience level, goals, and ability to manage side effects. Even with a modest calorie surplus, it supports a net anabolic environment ideal for lean tissue accrual. Unlike injectables that take weeks to build up, Dianabol starts working within a few days of the first dose. "Athletes administered methandrostenolone showed marked improvements in explosive and maximal strength within short-duration training periods."— Hartgens & Kuipers, Sports Medicine However, anti-estrogens are generally considered a mild treatment for gynecomastia. Severe gynecomastia from steroid use can be treated in several ways. Gynecomastia is when breast tissue in men begins to enlarge, resulting in swollen nipples or the pectorals starting to form the shape of female breasts. Alternatively, trenbolone is an alternative option for experienced users as it does not aromatize. This conversion, combined with its existing aromatizing attributes, creates a moderately estrogenic compound. If you are prone to acne, taking steroids may produce cystic acne, which can be severe. Jay Cutler proves that not everyone who takes steroids for years goes bald. Not only does Dianabol have a low affinity when converting to DHT, but hair loss is also determined by genetics, so taking steroids doesn’t necessarily guarantee balding. Furthermore, some research suggests DHT may be the better muscle-building hormone when compared to testosterone (23). Dianabol slightly increases levels of the major androgen in men, DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Doses as high as 100 mg can also be taken daily and have been shown to be beneficial in recovering testosterone levels in young men after 2–3 months.
