At a glance
Effects
- Lean muscle gain: Strong anabolic activity (reported 200:100 anabolic:androgenic ratio) promoting lean, 'dry' muscle without estrogenic water retention.[1][4][8]
- No aromatization: Cannot convert to estrogen, so gynecomastia and estrogenic water retention are not direct concerns.[1][2]
- Strength / hardness: Community reports describe muscle hardness and vascularity; clinical efficacy data are very limited.[2][3]
- Lethargy: A commonly reported subjective effect is notable lethargy/low energy, of uncertain mechanism.[7]
Anabolic–androgenic steroid (DHT-type)
Intramuscular injection
Long-acting (cypionate ester); precise PK undefined
None (non-estrogenic)
US Schedule III controlled substance
About Dihydroboldenone Cypionate
Every point here is drawn from public medical and harm-reduction sources. A bracketed number after a claim — like [1]— is a reference: tap it to open the exact source it's based on (numbered list at the bottom). It is not a rating or score. Educational information, not medical advice.
Product specifics
- Est. delivery
- 3–7 business days · EU tracked
Product details as stated by the vendor (claims, not independently verified). Delivery is our standard EU estimate.
What it is
Dihydroboldenone Cypionate (DHB; also called 1-Testosterone) is a synthetic injectable anabolic–androgenic steroid (AAS), specifically the 5α-reduced derivative of boldenone (Equipoise) and a dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-type compound.[1][2] It is used non-medically for lean muscle gain; it has no FDA approval and no pharmaceutical-grade human product has ever been marketed.[3][5]
How it works
DHB binds the androgen receptor (AR) with high selectivity and affinity, driving protein synthesis, nitrogen retention and muscle growth.[6][7] Because it differs from testosterone by a 1(2)-double bond and is already 5α-reduced, it does not convert to estrogen via aromatase (no water retention or gynecomastia) and cannot be further activated by 5α-reductase.[1][3] Its potency does not depend on metabolic conversion — an equimolar dose stimulates androgen-sensitive tissues as strongly as testosterone propionate.[5][6] It is supplied as the long-acting cypionate ester for intramuscular injection.[2][3]
Risks & side effects
Most important: Like all AAS, DHB suppresses your natural testosterone production (HPTA) and worsens cholesterol — typically lowering protective HDL and raising LDL — which raises long-term cardiovascular risk; AAS use is linked to hypertension, atherosclerosis, cardiomyopathy and sudden cardiac death.[2][9][10] Unusually for a non-17α-alkylated injectable, the one controlled study of DHB also found it increased liver weight, suggesting possible hepatotoxicity, so liver markers should be monitored too.[5]
Common
- HPTA suppression of natural testosterone, requiring post-cycle recovery[2][6]
- Adverse lipid shift: HDL suppression and raised LDL[2][9][10]
- Androgenic effects: acne, oily skin, accelerated male-pattern hair loss, body hair growth[2][11]
- Severe post-injection pain (PIP) due to poor oil solubility/crystallization[3]
- Subjective lethargy / low energy[7]
Serious
- Elevated blood pressure / hypertension[10][11]
- Cardiovascular disease: atherosclerosis, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction[10][12]
- Possible hepatotoxicity (increased liver weight shown in the one controlled study)[5]
- Long-lasting hypogonadism, depression, low libido and erectile dysfunction after cessation[13]
Safety & harm reduction
- Anyone with existing cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension or dyslipidemia, given AAS effects on BP and lipids[10][12]
- People with liver disease, given the signal of increased liver weight/possible hepatotoxicity[5]
- Anyone wishing to preserve fertility/natural hormone function, due to HPTA suppression[6][13]
- Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals (virilization risk inherent to androgens)[12]
- Lipid panel (HDL/LDL) before and during use; AAS can lower HDL >20–70% and raise LDL[10][11]
- Blood pressure (mean systolic rose ~7 mmHg after a cycle in the HAARLEM study)[10]
- Liver function markers, given the hepatotoxicity signal[5]
- Hematocrit/red-cell mass and a full testosterone/gonadotropin panel[12][13]
- DHB does not aromatize, so on a cycle a testosterone base is typically added to avoid crashed estrogen, lethargy and low libido[7][11]
- Plan post-cycle therapy (PCT) to restore the HPTA; suppression can be prolonged[6][13]
- Manage severe PIP by diluting/using sterile carrier oil; the ester type does not eliminate it[3]
- This is not medical advice — these are commonly-reported community practices, not a prescription.[3]
Dosage context
Authoritative pharmacokinetic and dosing data are essentially absent: there is no FDA-approved product and most dosing is empirically derived from bodybuilding community experience rather than clinical trials.[3] Because reliable, source-backed dosage figures do not exist, no specific dose is provided here; any figure circulating online is community-reported, not a prescription, and should be treated with caution.
Sources
- 1.Wikipedia — 1-Testosterone
- 2.AnabolicPlanner — DHB (Dihydroboldenone Cypionate)
- 3.Hormonaly — DHB (1-Testosterone) clinical protocol
- 4.BenchChem — 4-Dihydroboldenone AR ligand reference (A:A ratio)
- 5.Smolecule — 4-Dihydroboldenone / 1-Testosterone (mechanism, liver weight, schedule)
- 6.Geared Coaching — DHB / 1-Testosterone mechanism
- 7.Anabolic Steroid Forums — DHB/1-Test Cyp (lethargy, PIP)
- 8.Geared Coaching — DHB: The Good, the Bad and PIP
- 9.IJSEM case study — AAS and HDL/LDL
- 10.American College of Cardiology — Managing CV risk in AAS users (HAARLEM)
- 11.MDPI — AAS impact on the cardiovascular system
- 12.PMC — AAS-induced cardiomyopathy review
- 13.PMC — Former AAS abusers: decreased testosterone & hypogonadal symptoms
This information is provided for educational and harm-reduction purposes only. It is not medical advice. These substances can carry serious health risks; effects and safe use vary by individual. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before use. Legal status varies by country — it is your responsibility to know your local law. We do not encourage misuse.