LGD-4033 (Ligandrol)

LGD-4033, known as Ligandrol, is a non-steroidal SARM with a bicyclic structure and high affinity for the androgen receptor. It was developed by Ligand Pharmaceuticals and later out-licensed to Viking Therapeutics.

Ligandrol is one of the few SARMs with a real, cleanly published phase 1 human study. That makes the data here more solid than for most other members of the class.

LGD-4033 binds the androgen receptor with high affinity and activates it with tissue preference in muscle and bone. Preclinical models described strong selectivity for muscle and bone tissue.

Like the other SARMs it does not aromatize and is not reduced to DHT. The body's own testosterone production is suppressed dose-dependently, which the human study showed clearly.

Oral, once daily.

• The long half-life means one dose per day is enough.
• With some water, with or without food.
• Research cycles often run over 8 weeks with a break afterwards.

The phase 1 study (Basaria, 2013) gave 76 healthy young men placebo or 0.1 to 1mg LGD-4033 for 21 days. Result: dose-dependent increase in lean mass, good tolerability over the short window, but measurable suppression of testosterone and lipid changes that reversed after stopping.

Long-term data and efficacy studies beyond 21 days are missing. The Solomon review (2019) places LGD-4033 in the broader SARM context.

• Dose-dependent suppression of the testosterone axis, clearly measurable in the study.
• Falling HDL values.
• Occasional case reports of liver strain under SARM use outside studies.
• Water retention and mild bloat are reported anecdotally.

• 5mg is a sensible start, not 10mg straight away.
• Limit cycles and plan a real break for the axis afterwards.
• Banned in official competition and detectable for weeks (WADA S1.2).
• Check blood values before and after the cycle.

Store dry, cool and protected from light, out of reach of children. Keep the original container closed and mind the expiry date.