LGD-4033 has one of the most rigorous published human SARM trials — a real 76-man, placebo-controlled study. Here's exactly what it found.
🧪 76-man Phase 1 RCT — one of the most rigorous SARM trials ever published
📈 +1.21 kg lean mass at 1.0 mg/day over just 21 days
📉 Also suppressed SHBG, total testosterone and HDL cholesterol in the same trial
🚫 Banned under WADA's SARMs category, same as RAD-140
LGD-4033 (Ligandrol) is a nonsteroidal, orally bioavailable selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) originally developed by Ligand Pharmaceuticals. It's one of the most-studied SARMs in the research community, largely because — unlike many SARMs sold online — it has real, published, placebo-controlled human trial data.
Like other SARMs, LGD-4033 binds the androgen receptor with high affinity and is designed for tissue-selective anabolic activity — targeting muscle and bone while minimizing stimulation of the prostate and other androgen-sensitive tissue compared to testosterone. Its long elimination half-life (reported around 24–36 hours in the trial below) supports once-daily oral dosing in research settings, distinguishing it pharmacokinetically from shorter-acting SARMs.
"The safety, pharmacokinetics, and effects of LGD-4033, a novel nonsteroidal oral, selective androgen receptor modulator, in healthy young men" was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, ascending-dose study in 76 healthy young men, dosed once daily for 21 days at 0.1 mg, 0.3 mg or 1.0 mg — one of the most rigorous human SARM trials published to date.
The trial found a clear dose-response relationship in lean body mass: +0.2 kg at 0.1 mg/day, +0.6 kg at 0.3 mg/day, and +1.21 kg at 1.0 mg/day, all over just 21 days. The same trial reported that LGD-4033 was generally well tolerated with no significant clinical safety signals over the study period, alongside the hormonal suppression covered below.
Up to +1.21 kg lean body mass at the highest dose tested, over just 21 days, in a controlled RCT.
Long elimination half-life supported a simple once-daily oral protocol in the trial.
One of the few SARMs with a genuine placebo-controlled human trial rather than rodent-only data.
Engineered for reduced reproductive-tissue stimulation relative to testosterone, the core SARM research premise.
These figures are reported strictly as clinical trial data — not usage guidance. LGD-4033 is not FDA-approved and has no established human dosage outside a controlled trial setting.
| Dose (21-day trial) | Lean Mass Change | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1 mg/day | +0.2 kg | Lowest dose arm |
| 0.3 mg/day | +0.6 kg | Mid dose arm |
| 1.0 mg/day | +1.21 kg | Highest dose arm — also largest hormonal suppression |
Compound X does not provide dosing recommendations. LGD-4033 is sold for laboratory research use only and is not intended for human consumption.
The Basaria 2013 trial found LGD-4033 suppressed sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), total testosterone and HDL ("good") cholesterol in a dose-dependent manner — meaningful hormonal and lipid changes even over a short 21-day period. Longer-term human safety data beyond this trial window does not exist in the published literature.
LGD-4033 is not FDA-approved for any indication. It is included on the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) Prohibited List under the SARMs category, the same classification as RAD-140, and is banned in WADA-regulated competitive sport at all times.
Both are nonsteroidal SARMs, but LGD-4033 has a published 76-man, placebo-controlled trial in healthy young men, while RAD-140's only human data comes from an oncology trial in breast cancer patients. Their receptor-binding and selectivity profiles also differ.
Yes — dose-dependent suppression of SHBG, total testosterone and HDL cholesterol, even over just 21 days. The trial reported it was otherwise well tolerated in that short window.
It is sold labeled "for research use only, not for human consumption" and is not approved as a dietary supplement or medication. It is banned under WADA rules for competitive athletes.
Basaria S, Collins L, Dillon EL, et al. "The safety, pharmacokinetics, and effects of LGD-4033, a novel nonsteroidal oral, selective androgen receptor modulator, in healthy young men." Journals of Gerontology: Series A. 2013;68(1):87-95. World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List, SARMs category.
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