Lower numbers = closer to natural. Higher numbers = more enhanced.
Why this rating?
LGD-4033 is one of the most studied SARMs, with the Basaria et al. (2013) placebo-controlled trial showing a clean dose-dependent 1.2 kg lean-mass gain at just 1 mg/day over 21 days alongside dose-dependent testosterone/SHBG/HDL suppression. Real-world users typically run 5-10mg/day (5-10x the highest studied clinical dose), so both the muscle-building effect and the suppression seen in practice are almost certainly larger than what the trial captured. It is banned by WADA, confirming its performance-enhancing status. Gains are real but more modest than injectable anabolic steroids, so it sits alongside RAD-140 in the mid-enhanced SARM tier, below testosterone (7).
Overview
A non-steroidal SARM highly effective for mass accrual. One of the most studied SARMs with clinical trial data supporting its muscle-building effects.
Important Warnings
- •Not approved for human use
- •Banned by WADA and most sports organizations
- •Clinically suppressive (Basaria trial): dose-dependent drops in testosterone, FSH, HDL and SHBG; run PCT and monitor lipids
- •SARM hair loss is androgen-receptor-mediated. Finasteride/dutasteride will NOT prevent it
- •Multiple published case reports of drug-induced liver injury from bodybuilding LGD-4033 products, including one patient (10mg/day for ~2 weeks, within the typical community dose range) who developed severe cholestatic hepatitis with jaundice and bilirubin up to 35 mg/dL
Purpose & Use Cases
Mass Building
One of the best SARMs for adding significant muscle mass.
Strength Gains
Produces noticeable strength increases throughout the cycle.
Recovery Enhancement
Improves recovery between training sessions.
Benefits
- Significant muscle mass gains
- Increased strength
- Enhanced recovery
- No estrogen conversion
- Oral administration
- Clinical trial data available
Good to Know
One of the few SARMs with real human trial data
The Basaria placebo-controlled trial (76 healthy men, up to 1 mg/day for 21 days) showed clean dose-dependent lean-mass gains (~1.2 kg at 1 mg in 3 weeks) alongside dose-dependent suppression of testosterone, SHBG, HDL and triglycerides (free testosterone and FSH reached significance at the 1 mg dose). Hormones and lipids returned to baseline after stopping. This is why LGD is considered effective but genuinely suppressive, and real-world users typically dose 5-20x higher than anything tested in that trial.
Suppression is dose-dependent. Dose it accordingly and run PCT
At low doses (5 mg) many recover with a mini-PCT (low-dose enclomiphene); at higher doses or longer runs, treat it like a full androgen cycle with a proper SERM PCT. "It is only a SARM" is exactly the mindset that leaves people with lingering low testosterone.
Hair loss is AR-mediated. Finasteride will not help
LGD-4033 does not convert to DHT, so people assume it is hair-safe. It still activates the androgen receptor at the scalp directly, which can accelerate loss in predisposed men. Because there is no DHT-conversion step, finasteride/dutasteride do nothing here.
Muscle memory and the raised natural ceiling
Myonuclei added while training on LGD persist after the cycle, making future re-gains easier, but a chunk of on-cycle scale weight is water/glycogen, and keeping real muscle depends on recovering endogenous testosterone via PCT. The lasting benefit is a modestly raised re-gain ceiling, not permanent retention of peak-cycle size.
Dosage Guidelines
| Experience Level | Dosage Range |
|---|---|
| Beginner | 5 – 5 mg/day |
| Intermediate | 5 – 10 mg/day |
| Advanced | 10 – 20 mg/day |
The Basaria clinical trial only tested up to 1 mg/day; real-world/black-market users typically run 5-10mg/day and some push to 15-20mg, 5-20x the studied clinical range, with unknown extra risk. Higher doses show diminishing returns and increased suppression/lipid strain (community-derived, not clinical data).
Side Effects
Testosterone Suppression
very commonDose-dependent suppression of natural testosterone.
Mini-PCT or full PCT depending on cycle length and dose.
HDL Decrease
commonReduction in good cholesterol levels.
Omega-3 fatty acids; regular cardio.
Water Retention
uncommonMild water retention in some users.
Usually resolves post-cycle.
General Mitigation Strategies
Mini-PCT for shorter/lower dose cycles. Full PCT for longer cycles. Monitor lipids with bloodwork.
Support Supplements
Ancillary supplements commonly run alongside LGD-4033 to manage side effects, support the target tissue, or fill nutrient demands it creates.
Lipid support (omega-3 + citrus bergamot)
KeyLGD-4033 dose-dependently lowers HDL and triglycerides in clinical data. Omega-3 supports triglycerides; citrus bergamot helps LDL.
- Dose
- Omega-3 2-4 g/day; citrus bergamot 500-1,000 mg/day
- Timing
- With meals
- When
- The higher the dose, the more the lipid hit: a lipid panel before and during is worthwhile.
Post Cycle Therapy (PCT)
Mini-PCT with Enclomiphene (6.25-12.5mg daily) for 4 weeks, or Nolvadex if heavily suppressed.
How It Works
LGD-4033 binds to androgen receptors with high selectivity for muscle and bone. It increases protein synthesis and nitrogen retention, leading to significant muscle growth without the typical androgenic side effects of steroids.
Hormonal & Androgenic Profile
Highly muscle-selective in preclinical assays (leading AR binding affinity, Ki 0.9 nM); androgenic activity on skin/scalp is low but not zero in practice.
Does not aromatize, no AI needed for LGD-4033 itself. Any estrogen management is only relevant if an aromatizing base (e.g. testosterone) is stacked.
Not a 5-alpha-reductase substrate, so finasteride/dutasteride do not help with LGD-related shedding. Any hair loss is from direct androgen-receptor activation at the follicle, which finasteride cannot address.
Clinically shown to dose-dependently suppress HDL and triglycerides; no estrogenic water retention. Suppression and lipids reversed after discontinuation in the trial.
Fundamentals
Reference on the practices relevant to LGD-4033: how they are done and where they go wrong. Not a recommendation to use it.
Legal Status
Research chemical (USA), sold as 'not for human consumption'.
Legal status varies by country and changes over time. This is a general summary, not legal advice.
WADA Status
LGD-4033 (Ligandrol) is explicitly listed as a prohibited SARM under S1.2 Other Anabolic Agents.