1AD (1-androstene-3beta, 17beta-diol)
or (1-androstene-3beta, 17beta-dione)
Target Hormone: 1-testosterone
Target conversion: (supposedly) very high, because it has a double bond at the
1st carbon and it is a diol version.
Conversion enzyme: 3-�-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3HSD)
DHT conversion: some converting back to DHT through unknown pathway
Estrogenic effects: None whatsoever
This is just a little bonus addition. I dont have enough data on this yet
to make an accurate assumption, so most of what Im saying here is based on
product info, information obtained from Patrick Arnold, who made the stuff,
and independent research. As for concrete information, Im looking to test the
product thoroughly near the end of summer and will keep meticulous records of
my progress, including gains in size and strength, my diet at the time and any
possible side effects I may encounter. Click here for more info on this study...
1-AD is an oral only compound that converts to a different target hormone altogether,
namely 1-testosterone. Early data� suggests that 1-testosterone is 700% more
anabolic than testosterone. How that translates in real world terms is yet to
be determined. From the testimonials (they are limited) Ive read the gains
are slightly better than those of Nor-diol, so that would be a significant improvement,
though not quite as high as the percentage might suggest. There was an initial
dione version, but I believe that has been pulled and all 1AD currently available
is diol. Again that means no estrogenic conversion prior, but none post-conversion
either because 1-test doesnt aromatize. Its a derivative of the androgenic
compound DHT, meaning that it has already undergone 5-alpha-reductase and cannot
under any circumstances form estrogen.
The androgenicity is still very much an issue. It can convert to DHT via a
different pathway (I should say convert back) but its not known to what extent
or what effects it has. So far no one has reported any serious side effects
in this nature, but neither has there been any rigorous large-scale testing.
The jury is still out on what this means to people who are at risk for things
like prostate enlargement and hair loss. Since it is extremely androgenic in
other ways as well, this is one aspect that will need further digging to get
to the bottom of. I fear this may be the weakness of 1AD.
Oral activity is a great plus. To date orals are the only form that allow serious
stacking and proper use of prohormones (more on that later). On the downside
a lot of it doesnt survive the liver which makes us toss away a large amount
of money spent on prohormones, because the yield is rather low. 1AD may have
solved that problem. In steroids people make things 17-alkalated to survive
the liver, but in return this increases liver toxicity severely. But a double
bond in the one position (hence the name 1-testosterone) ensures a greater amount
surviving without the risk of liver toxicity. Chemically you can liken it to
the steroid primobolan, which is the same structurally except for an extra methyl-group
but also has the double bond in the one position. It functions much in the same
way. Making this perhaps the most potent oral prohormone to date. I would estimate
oral activity to be in the neighborhood of 30%. That means even relatively small
doses can exert decent effects, which will no doubt make up for its preposterous
price.
In effects 1-test has been likened more often to Halotestin and trenbolone
than Primobolan, qualitatively speaking. I did some research on this and this
would mean that most of the gains are lean mass (not huge mass increases, then
losing most) making it great to use even when cutting (though obviously the
gains will be a lot smaller) and that the amount of water and fat weight is
significantly reduced because there is no estrogen effect whatsoever. So blowing
up like a balloon is out of the question, which isnt so visually satisfying,
but it gets you harder and the gains are for real. That has to count for something.
Halotestin is 17-alkalated by the way, so if you go researching dont be frightened
by the enormous liver toxicity of Halostestin as I was, since 1AD is not 17-alkalated.
Since info on 1-testosterone is fairly scarce and hard to find, I did some
more research on trenbolone in the specific steroid milieu (several websites,
a few experienced users and a special shout-out to La Fetarde of our very own
steroid boards for the info) and found that the common belief is that it is
best stacked with a non-androgen for best results. Meaning that if you were
thinking of stacking this, moderate doses (standard 300 to 600 mg) would be
best used with Nor-diol, but if you were thinking of doing a serious stack (expensive,
900-1200 mg), you may want to consider 19Nor instead so there is no competition
for enzymes.
There has been some talk of using 1AD as a pre-contest hardener as even users
who were dieting and experienced very little gains boasted some impressive physiques
nonetheless.
The major downsides to 1AD: physiologically the only side-effect reported so
far is a loss of libido, to which Patrick Arnold himself replied that it may
best be stacked with 4-diol if this worries you (or you have an insatiable girlfriend
like me). And some of the testimonials said something about a distended belly,
though it went away. Other than that, the only major setback is once again the
cost. This stuff is even more expensive than Nor-diol, which will no doubt scare
a lot of people off. And since the patent is owned by LPJ, its unlikely that
competition will lower the price as with creatine. So there probably will not
be any reduction in price in the near future.
� Anabolic Steroids" by HL Kruskemper, Academic Press, 1968, p.109.