1-Andro
1-Andro, also known as 1-Androsterone, 1-DHEA, 1*Dehydroepiandrosterone, 1-Androstene-3b-ol,17-one and 3b*Hydroxy-Androst-1*ene-17*one is a naturally occurring metabolite of DHEA in the human body. 1-Androsterone and its metabolites are incapable of aromatizing to estrogen, thus making it a very dry compound with no risk of bloat or dramatic negative effects on blood pressure.
Most notably 1-Androsterone is a non-methylated (non-17a-alkylated) precursor/prohormone to 1-Testosterone (Dihydroboldenone), through a two-step conversion process in vivo by the enzymes 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3ß-HSD) and 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17ß-HSD). As 1-Androsterone it is inactive and must be converted into 1-Androstenediol, 1-Androstenedione and/or 1-Testosterone to be active. There are two possible pathways of conversion, both requiring two conversion steps each to transition from 1-Androsterone to 1-Testosterone. One conversion pathway for 1-Androsterone is to be converted by 3ß-HSD into 1-Androstenedione (5a-androst-1-en-3,17-dione) and then converted by 17ß-HSD into 1-Testosterone. And another conversion pathway for 1-Androsterone is to be converted by 17ß-HSD into 1-Androstenediol (3a,17ß-dihydroxy-5a-androst-1-ene) and then converted by 3ß-HSD into 1-Testosterone. A paper published in 2011 suggests 1-Androsterone can metabolize to 1-Testosterone quite efficiently. Although it should be noted both the 1-Androstenedione and 1-Androstenediol metabolites are known to have some anabolic and androgenic effects on their own, 1-Testosterone is likely responsible for most anabolic/androgenic effects. 1-Androstenediol, which has potent muscle building and hardening effects in and of itself, is known for producing rapid gains in lean mass with no water retention or bloat. In 2004, an amendment of the Anabolic Steroid Control Act reclassified 1-Androstenediol, 1-Androstenedione and 1-Testosterone as a Schedule III drugs, ending their legal sale as prohormones in the United States.
Despite the one-step conversion precursors no longer being available on the market, 1-Androsterone is still a highly effective precursor. A paper published by West Texas A&M University, the California Baptist University and the University of Texas at Austin looked at the effects of 330mg free-form 1-Androsterone given daily for 4 weeks to 9 males with an average of 5 years of experience in resistance training and an average body fat of 13%. During the following 4 weeks, the subjects participated in 16 sessions of structured resistance-training. The results showed that the 9 males had gained an average of 10.4lbs (4.7kg) lean mass, lost over 4.4lbs (2kg) fat, and had a total load strength increase of 161lbs (73.2kg). No conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise, were declared by the author(s), and the research was supported by the West Texas A&M University Kilgore Research Center. Thus it can be extrapolated that this unbiased paper shows 1-Androsterone to be a highly effective precursor to its target hormone 1-Testosterone, and is capable of eliciting highly favorable changes in body composition.
1-Androsterone's target hormone, 1-Testosterone is an androgen and anabolic steroid that is better described as Dihydroboldenone, the 5-alpha reduced version of the naturally occurring steroid Boldenone. It is similar in structure to Testosterone but differs by having a 1,2-double bond instead of a 4,5-double bond in its A ring. Structurally speaking, the C1-C2 double bond of 1-Testosterone seems to slightly enhance its ability to resist excretion by the liver and is also likely responsible for its high anabolic activity. It binds in a manner that is highly selective to the androgen receptor (AR) and has a high potency to stimulate AR-dependent transactivation. It also cannot aromatize to estrogen either directly or through any of its metabolic products. It was first synthesized nearly 80 years ago in 1938 by Heinz Dannenberg and Adolf Butenandt, whom two years later in 1940 measured the androgenic activity and determined it was less androgenic than Testosterone. Later in 1966 Cekan and Pele reported that 1-Testosterone had an Anabolic:Androgenic ratio of 210:123-135 with Testosterone as the standard.
Though 1-Androsterone has many beneficial effects, it is not without the possibility of side effects. On a positive note, 1-Androsterone is non-methylated (non-17a-alkylated) so there should be little to no concern regarding it negatively affecting the HDL/LDL ratio to the same extent other prohormones can. And since it does not aromatize to estrogen, estrogenic side effects such as water retention, bloating and gynecomastia should not be an issue. However some users experience lethargy and lower libido from 1-Androsterone, though this varies from person to person, with some experiencing little to no lethargy and others needing to lower their dosage or stop their cycle entirely. However, stacking with 4-Androsterone, Epiandrosterone or both typically mitigates any lethargy that might occur while using 1-Androsterone and keeps libido high as well. Other side effects such as oily skin, acne, reduced fertility or increased hair shedding are possible, though considered mild and temporary. It is possible that 1-Androsterone may cause some HPTA suppression, and therefore it is always recommended to run a properly planned Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT) following any supplementation regimen containing 1-Androsterone.
1-Androsterone is an excellent compound regardless of your goals; it can aid in gaining lean body mass and strength, or help maintain muscle and strength when dieting with a caloric deficit. It will stack well with almost any compound, for more dramatic gains in size and strength it is recommended to stack 1-Androsterone with an aromatizing compound such as 4-Androsterone, which will help mitigate any side effects regarding lethargy or low libido. Results generally take several weeks to manifest, but moderate gains of lean muscle mass and strength can be expected, though users should not expect rapid increases in size or weight due to extra-cellular and intra-cellular water retention being minimal to non-existent. This makes the gains from 1-Androsterone fairly easy to maintain post cycle.
So what do we know about 1-Androsterone?
•Non-Methylated/Non-Liver Toxic (Doesn't require liver support such as TUDCA or NAC)
•Dry Compound/Non-Aromatizing (Won't convert estrogen nor cause water retention or bloating)
•Increases Size/Muscle Mass (Increased Nitrogen Retention)
•Increases Recovery
•Increases Strength
•Reduces Body Fat
•Excellent for Bulking/Recomping/Cutting
•Excellent Stacker
Conversion Processes: (Two step conversion to 1-Testosterone)
1-Androsterone -> {via 3b-HSD enzyme to} 1-Androstenedione -> {via 17b-HSD enzyme to} 1-Testosterone
1-Androsterone -> {via 17b-HSD enzyme to} 1-Androstenediol -> {via 3b-HSD enzyme to} 1-Testosterone
Though the risk of estrogenic side effects are essentially non-existant while on 1-Andro, we always recommended that you have an AI, such as Exemestane, on hand.
1-Andro Example Cycles:
Beginner:
1-Andro - 220/220/220/220/220/220
*Space capsules out with meals containing fats.
Advanced/Experienced:
1-Andro - 330/330/330/330/330/330/330/330
*Space capsules out with meals containing fats.
Post Cycle Therapy (PCT):
Clomid - 50/50/25/25 (Or SERM of your choice)
Olympus Labs Sup3r PCT (As indicated on label)
AI of choice on hand (E.g. Exemestane)