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Research pass: medium SARM · Oral SKIP-FOR-NOW HIGH

RAD-140 (Testolone)

Extended Research
◈ Extended Research ◈

Our depth — beyond the mirror

Deeper analysis, verdict reasoning, and per-archetype recommendations from our research team.

▸ Our verdict SKIP-FOR-NOW HIGH

Most HPG-suppressive of common SARMs + hepatotoxicity case reports + brain-priority profile makes endocrine disruption a non-starter at 20yo; would change only with clean long-term human data and verified COA-tested supply (neither exists).

Research pass: medium
▸ Decision matrix by user profile Per-archetype
  • Dylan20-30, brain-priority, high cognitive workload (Dylan-archetype)
    SKIP-AT-

    Endocrine disruption during late-CNS-development window, mood lability that interferes with sustained 6-12hr cognitive output, headaches, and cycle-end depression all directly attack the brain-priority #1 ranking. Body comp gains are downstream priority #5.

  • 30-50, executive maintenance
    SKIP

    Risk/reward inverts further — established T levels, hepatic risk, lipid shifts hit cardiovascular age curve.

  • 50+, mild cognitive decline
    SKIP

    the original ER+ breast cancer trial was halted; no established geriatric anabolic role; TRT or low-dose nandrolone are better-studied.

  • Anxiety-prone
    SKIP

    aggression/irritability + cycle-end mood crash worsens anxiety baseline.

  • High athletic load, tested status
    ABSOLUTE SKIP

    WADA-banned, S1.2 anabolic agent, detection windows long.

  • Sleep-disordered
    SKIP

    sleep disruption common during cycle.

  • Recovery-focused (post-injury, post-illness)
    SKIP

    for athletic recovery use BPC-157/TB-500/MK-677 or just rest. RAD-140's recovery effects don't justify endocrine cost.

  • Strength/anabolic-focused (the actual target audience)
    WATCH-LIST

    at best. Even within this profile, LGD-4033 or ostarine are better risk/reward; testosterone enanthate at TRT-replacement dose is more predictable.

▸ Subjective experience (deep)

At 10-20 mg/day (typical research-chem dose):

  • Onset (week 1-2): Increased aggression, drive, gym output. "Wired" feel that some users like, others find irritable.
  • Peak (week 3-6): Significant body composition shift — lean mass gain, fat loss, strength jumps that exceed natural rates. Headaches commonly reported, sometimes daily. Some users report visual disturbance / "tracers."
  • Cycle end: Crash phase. Libido drops sharply, mood lability or frank depression, fatigue, motivation loss as the suppressed HPG axis tries to restart. PCT (post-cycle therapy) often required to recover testosterone. Recovery can take 4-12+ weeks; some users report incomplete recovery.
▸ Tolerance + cycling deep dive
  • Tolerance buildup: Not the issue — receptor sensitivity holds; the issue is cumulative endocrine + hepatic damage.
  • Recommended cycle: 8-12 weeks max, with mandatory PCT and 4-6 month off-cycle minimum.
  • Reset protocol if needed: SERM-based PCT (clomiphene or enclomiphene), bloodwork at +4, +8, +12 weeks post-cycle to confirm HPG recovery.
▸ Stacking deep dive

Synergistic with

  • None recommended — stacking SARMs (e.g., RAD-140 + LGD-4033) is common in bodybuilding circles but multiplies suppression and hepatic load.

Avoid stacking with

  • [lgd-4033]: compounding HPG suppression; both AR agonists.
  • [ostarine]: less aggressive but still additive on HPG axis and liver.
  • 17a-alkylated oral steroids: hepatic load multiplies.
  • Other hepatotoxic compounds (high-dose curcumin, kava, DMAA): additive liver risk.

Neutral / safe co-administration

  • Standard supplements (creatine, fish oil, magnesium) — no known interactions but they don't mitigate the core risks.
▸ Drug interactions deep dive

Limited formal interaction data due to non-approval status. AR agonists generally not strong CYP modulators at clinical doses, but RAD-140's hepatotoxicity profile means any other hepatically-cleared drug or supplement adds risk. SERMs used in PCT (clomiphene, tamoxifen) are CYP2D6 substrates — relevant for users with CYP2D6 polymorphisms.

▸ Pharmacogenomics
  • AR CAG repeat length: Shorter CAG repeats = more AR sensitivity → potentially stronger response and stronger suppression at same dose.
  • CYP3A4 variants: May affect RAD-140 clearance (limited data).
  • CYP2D6 PMs: Relevant for clomiphene-based PCT efficacy, not RAD-140 itself.
▸ Sourcing deep dive
Path Vendor Cost Reliability Notes
Research-chem Various (e.g., Chemyo, Sports Technology Labs) $50-90 / 30 mL @ 10 mg/mL Med-low COA verification essential; product-label dosing often inaccurate
Gray-market capsules Underground labs $40-100 / bottle Low Unverified dose, contamination risk, often stronger AAS substituted
Rx None N/A N/A FDA prohibited as dietary supplement; never approved for any indication
▸ Biomarkers to track (deep)
  • Baseline (before starting): Total + free testosterone, LH, FSH, SHBG, estradiol, full lipid panel, ALT/AST/GGT/bilirubin, CBC, blood pressure.
  • During use: ALT/AST at week 4 and week 8. Lipids at week 8. Blood pressure weekly.
  • Post-cycle (if cycled): Full hormone panel at +4, +8, +12 weeks post-cycle. Liver enzymes at +4 and +8 weeks. Confirm full HPG recovery before any next cycle.
▸ Controversies / open debates Live debate
  • "Selectivity" claim: Marketing/forum claim that SARMs spare HPG axis is empirically false at performance doses for RAD-140 specifically. Animal data showed selectivity at sub-anabolic doses; user data shows full suppression at typical 10-20mg.
  • Hepatotoxicity mechanism: Mechanism of DILI not fully characterized — may be idiosyncratic (genetic predisposition) vs dose-dependent. This matters for risk stratification.
  • Long-term HPG recovery: Bodybuilding-community consensus is "always recovers with proper PCT" but case reports of persistent hypogonadism exist. No long-term follow-up studies.
  • Cardiomyopathy signal: Animal models showed cardiac concerns; human case reports exist; no large-cohort cardiovascular data.
▸ Verdict change log
  • 2026-05-05 — Initial verdict: SKIP-FOR-NOW HIGH confidence. Brain-priority profile + 20yo developmental window + most-suppressive-SARM-in-class + hepatotoxicity case reports = clear skip regardless of body-comp upside. Cross-linked to lgd-4033 and ostarine as less-bad alternatives within the SARM class (still not recommended).
▸ Open questions / gaps Open
  • Long-term (5-10yr) follow-up data on users — none exists.
  • Dose-response curve for hepatotoxicity (idiosyncratic vs threshold).
  • Whether sub-anabolic doses (1-5 mg) preserve cognitive/mood effects without HPG suppression — anecdotal only.
  • Cardiovascular outcomes in chronic users.
▸ Sources (full, with our context)
  • Barbara M, Dhingra S, Mindikoglu AL. (2020). Drug-Induced Liver Injury Associated with RAD140 (Testolone). ACG Case Reports Journal.
  • Flores JE et al. (2020). Hepatotoxicity from RAD-140. Liver International / similar hepatology journal case series.
  • Radius Health press releases on RAD-140 / Testolone clinical program (NCT03088527).
  • WADA Prohibited List — S1.2 Other Anabolic Agents (SARMs).
  • FDA warning letters re: SARMs sold as dietary supplements (2017, 2021).
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