Turinabol — Turanabol 20mg by Dragon Pharma
Turanabol is Dragon Pharma's formulation of oral 4-Chlorodehydromethyltestosterone (commonly known as Turinabol or T-Bol) at 20mg per tablet — a modified Dianabol derivative that eliminates aromatisation while retaining lean anabolic activity. Supplied in a 100-tablet pack, Turanabol produces dry, quality gains without water retention, making it one of the most practical oral steroids for users prioritising keepable lean mass over raw scale weight.
Also searched as: Turinabol 20mg, T-Bol, 4-Chlorodehydromethyltestosterone, Turanabol Dragon Pharma.
The History of Turinabol — Uniquely Rich Human Data
Turinabol's history is unlike any other anabolic steroid and represents a genuine information gap in competitor content:
- Turinabol was synthesised in 1961 by Jenapharm in East Germany specifically for the state-sponsored doping programme known as "State Plan Research Theme 14.25"
- From approximately 1968 to 1989, Turinabol was systematically administered to East German Olympic athletes — estimated at over 10,000 athletes across more than 20 years
- This programme was later exposed through a series of trials and Stasi documents — generating an extraordinary body of real human data from systematic, long-term use that virtually no other AAS can match
- The documented doses ranged from as low as 5mg/day (endurance athletes) to 35mg/day (strength athletes) and were generally well tolerated at lower doses over extended periods
- This historical record makes Turinabol one of the most extensively human-tested oral anabolic steroids in existence, despite never receiving clinical approval
Turinabol Is Dianabol + Chlorine — The Structural Relationship
Understanding that Turinabol is essentially chlorinated Dianabol clarifies its profile immediately:
| Property | Turinabol (T-Bol) | Dianabol (comparison) |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Dianabol + chlorine at C4 position | Baseline reference |
| Aromatisation | None — C4 chlorine blocks aromatase | Significant |
| Water retention | Minimal — dry gains | High — wet gains |
| Anabolic ratio | 54 | 210 |
| Androgenic ratio | 6 | 60 |
| Strength gains | Moderate — quality over quantity | Rapid and significant |
| SHBG binding | Strong — increases free testosterone | Moderate |
| Hepatotoxicity | Considered lower than Dianabol at equivalent doses | Moderate |
| Half-life | ~16 hours (once daily practical) | ~3–6 hours (splitting needed) |
The C4 chlorine modification that distinguishes Turinabol from Dianabol serves one primary purpose: it blocks the aromatase enzyme from processing the compound, eliminating estrogen conversion. The result is a structurally similar compound that produces dry, keepable gains rather than Dianabol's wet, rapidly-reversible mass. The trade-off is significantly lower potency per milligram — Turinabol's anabolic ratio of 54 is roughly one-quarter of Dianabol's 210.
SHBG Binding — Turinabol's Most Underappreciated Property
Turinabol binds sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) strongly — a property shared with compounds like Proviron but often overlooked in Turinabol descriptions:
- SHBG binds free testosterone and renders it biologically inactive
- By occupying SHBG binding sites, Turinabol displaces testosterone, increasing the free testosterone fraction available for androgen receptor binding
- This SHBG-binding effect is why Turinabol is sometimes described as having a "synergistic" effect when stacked with testosterone — at 20-40mg/day, it can meaningfully increase free testosterone bioavailability
- This mechanism provides anabolic benefit even at doses where Turinabol's direct AR binding contribution is modest
Effects and Benefits
- Dry, keepable lean mass gains — minimal post-cycle weight loss as gains are not water-driven
- Meaningful strength gains without the scale weight increase of aromatising compounds
- No aromatisation — no estrogen-related side effects, no AI required
- Strong SHBG binding increases free testosterone when stacked with testosterone
- Lower androgenic ratio (6) than virtually any other anabolic oral — suitable for users sensitive to androgenic effects
- Longest half-life of common oral steroids (~16 hours) — once-daily dosing is practical
Dosage and Administration
| Experience Level | Typical Dose | Cycle Length |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 20–30 mg/day (1–1.5 tabs) | 6–8 weeks |
| Intermediate | 40–60 mg/day (2–3 tabs) | 6–8 weeks |
| Advanced | 60–80 mg/day (3–4 tabs) | 6–8 weeks |
With a ~16-hour half-life — significantly longer than Dianabol (~3-6 hours) or Winstrol (~9 hours) — Turinabol is one of the few oral steroids where once-daily dosing maintains reasonably stable blood levels. Many users choose pre-workout dosing for practical timing. East German programme data showed doses as low as 5-15mg/day for endurance athletes produced measurable performance benefits without the androgenic side effects of higher doses.
Side Effects
- Hepatotoxicity — present as a 17-AA oral, but generally considered lower than Dianabol or Anadrol at equivalent anabolic effect; cycle length should be limited to 6-8 weeks
- Suppression of natural testosterone — Post Cycle Therapy is required despite Turinabol's mild reputation
- Negative impact on cholesterol (HDL/LDL) — present but often considered less pronounced than with aromatising orals
- No aromatisation — no AI needed, but also no estrogen-related joint cushioning at higher doses
- Androgenic effects are minimal given the low androgenic ratio of 6 — one of the lowest of any AAS
Building a Cycle Around Turanabol
- Enantat 250 or Cypionat 250 — Turinabol's SHBG binding synergises with testosterone, increasing free testosterone availability
- Masteron for dry, hardness-focused cycles where both compounds contribute without adding estrogen
- Anavar comparison — both are dry, mild orals; Turinabol favours lean mass with SHBG binding, Anavar favours strength and is gentler at standard doses
- Clomid or Nolvadex for Post Cycle Therapy
"Turanabol is formulated at 20mg per tablet — the base dosing unit from which most protocols scale, and the dose range documented in the most extensive real-world human data set of any oral anabolic steroid."
Storage and Handling
Store Turanabol at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and moisture. Keep the original packaging sealed until use to maintain tablet potency.