Archive: Methyl Hydroxy Testosterone (MOHT)

My two articles on Methyl Hydroxy Testosterone (M4OHT) and Methyl Hydroxy Nandrolone (M4OHN) were written for a supplement manufacturer who was selling the two compounds. When these articles were written in 2004, both of these were brand new compounds on the then still legal prohormone market. Unfortunately, shortly after M4OHT was released, it was discovered it wasn't just illegal in California, but actually scheduled in the Steroid Control Act of 1990 and removed from the market before very many people had a chance to try it. A slightly weaker version of the non-methylated version was also sold encapsulated in oil and bound to an ester. Neither M4OHT or M4OHN are legally available as a supplement and were permanently scheduled with the passing of the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004.

Hydroxy Testosterone is a relatively new steroid on the supplement scene. William Llewellyn of Molecular Nutrition first brought the compound to the sports world's attention when he discussed its discovery on a popular bodybuilding forum. However, Hydroxy Testosterone did not see the light of day for quite some time after it was initially discussed.

Hydroxy Testosterone is an active metabolite of the European anti-aromatese drug, Formestane (4-hydroxy androstenedione). It was also investigated by the pharmaceutical firm Searle during the steroid hayday of the middle of the last century. However, it was never marketed as an anabolic, probably because of their more potent discovery oxandrolone. Being that it was never produced by a pharmaceutical, and never being included in the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990, it can be considered legal (for the time being at least) to sell as a dietary supplement. However, hydroxy testosterone and its counterpart hydroxy nandrolone are not legal to sell in California, where it is a scheduled drug.

Hydroxy Testosterone is similar to the obscure anabolic steroid, Clostebol (sold commercially as Megagrisevit Mono). Clostebol has been marketed in the past, in parts of Europe and Asia, where it is used as a transdermal and injectable preparation. Clostebol has a chloro group on the 4 position of the molecule, making it incapable of interacting with both the 5 alpha reductase and aromatese enzymes. [1] Hydroxy Testosterone shares this feature by having a hydroxyl group at the same 4 position, it is also incapable of forming DHT and estrogen. This makes it an ideal drug for individuals looking to avoid the common side effects associated with other steroid and prohormone products. Hydroxy Testosterone also has the very interesting feature of acting as a mild aromatese inhibitor and 5 alpha reductese inhibitor. This means that it would act in a similar, albeit weaker, fashion to both the anti-aromatese drug anastrozole and the 5-AR inhibitor finasteride. [2]

According to standard assays of potency, Hydroxy Testosterone shows to have an RBA (relative binding affinity) of 75. When compared to testosterone propionate, hydroxyl testosterone acetate was shown to be 0.65 times as anabolic and 0.25 times as androgenic by injection. [3] This would make it a very mild androgen in nature, and very easy for individuals who are concerned about common side effects of steroidal compounds. Since it does not convert to estrogen or DHT, it would not be an ideal drug for bulking or strength gains, but more suited for lean muscle gains or even fat reduction. Women would most likely tolerate this drug very well.

Now, there is a new version of Hydroxy Testosterone available, which has been methylated. Methylating a drug makes an alteration at the C17 position of the molecule, allowing it to avoid liver breakdown. Two drugs which are methylated are the well known and popular illegal steroids, Winstrol and Dianabol. Although Methyl Hydroxy Testosterone, or MOHT, is not anywhere near as potent as those two compounds, it does have the same methyl alteration, increasing bioavailability and changing the action of the drug in the body. Generally, methylating a compound decreases the binding affinity towards the androgen receptor, making it less potent overall. However, since it greatly increases the half life, bioavailability and has other possible mechanisms, such as decreasing SHBG binding affinity, it would most likely make MOHT more favorable to use.

When we look for comparable drugs known to athletes, only one other comes to mind. Oral Turnibol (OT) is an exotic steroid developed for secret use by East German athletes. Currently, only one known underground lab is known to make it, and it is questionable whether or not it is legitimate. Recently, a prohormone has been sold by various companies of Oral Turnibol labeled as them chemical 4-chloro-17a-methyl-1,4-diene-3,17 diol. It is currently being sold as the supplement Halovar, which converts directly to OT. Oral Turnibol was East Germany's answer to the androgenic structure of Dianabol. [4] With a structure very similar to Methyl Hydroxy Testosterone, with the exception of a hydroxyl group in place of Turnibol's 4-chloro group, it has the same attributes. Turnibol cannot aromatize or convert to DHT. We could generally expect a similar result with MOHT, seen as significant gains in lean mass and mild increases in strength, without the negative side effects of Dianabol. [5] A very interesting account of the use of Oral Turnibol by female swimmers in the former communist East Germany is detailed in the book Faust's Gold by Dr. Steven Ungerleider.

Methyl Hydroxy Testosterone would stack well with just about anything. For bulking, it would stack very well with 4AD and possibly an oralgel or transdermal form of 1-testosterone, 1AD or 1,4andro. For cutting, it would stack well with 1-testosterone or 5AA. In both cases it would work well to help keep the other side effects minimal, by decreasing overall DHT and estrogen, as well as causing a positive hardening effect on the muscle. It would be wise not to stack it with another methylated compound, such as MOHN or Methyl-1-Test for fear of elevating liver enzymes too greatly. For individuals concerned with protecting their liver, supplementing with Milk Thistle or N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC) would be wise option.

The dosage of MOHT would probably be in the range of 5-15mg daily. It would be advisable to start off at a low dosage to find out how well it's tolerated, and then work up to a higher dosage. MOHT would be best taken with a meal.

1. Van Mol, Peter. Megagrisevit Mono. Bodybuilding.com.

2. Davies JH, Shearer RJ, Rowlands MG, Poon GK, Houghton J, Jarman M, Dowsett M. Effects of 4-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione and its metabolites on 5 alpha-reductase activity and the androgen receptor. J Enzyme Inhib. 1992;6(2):141-7.

3. Vida, J.A. Androgens and Anabolic Agents, Chemistry and Pharmacology. Academic Press, Inc, New York, 77-91, 1969.

4. Montana, Nelson. Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye. Testosterone Nation.

5. Llewellyn, William. Anabolics 2004. Molecular Nutrition, Jupiter FL, 2004.