Ligandrol (LGD-4033)
Muscle & Strength · SARM
Tier C
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades Ligandrol (LGD-4033) as C (4.8/10) based on weak-moderate evidence, med benefit magnitude, and a med-risk safety profile.
Basaria 2013 early-phase showed lean mass increase over 3 weeks.
Studied, labeled, or reported-use context: Typical illicit: 5-10 mg/day PO — NOT FDA-approved; gray market; banned sport; not individualized guidance.
Frontier potential — editorial judgment, not evidence
This is a separate axis from the grade above. It asks a different question: if this worked in humans, how much would it matter? It is our judgment, it is not part of the composite score, and it cannot raise a grade. A high number here is a statement about the idea, not about whether it works or whether anyone should take it.
What the ceiling rests on
The SARM with the best human data: placebo-controlled Phase 1 work in healthy men showed dose-dependent lean-mass gain over three weeks with a favourable safety profile in that window. The tissue-selectivity premise — anabolic effect with less prostate and androgenic activity — is real in animal models.
Why it may not get there
The human evidence is short-duration Phase 1 in small numbers, and clinical development did not proceed to efficacy trials in any indication. Suppression of endogenous testosterone is consistent and dose-dependent, liver enzyme elevations are documented, and long-term cardiovascular and endocrine effects are entirely unstudied. Product sold online frequently does not contain what the label claims.
What would change this A trial of longer than 12 weeks with endocrine recovery data.
If you were testing this on yourself
Two properties decide whether an n-of-1 experiment is readable and recoverable. These describe the experiment — they are not a judgment about whether to run it, and nothing here is a recommendation.
Can you undo it?
Potentially permanent
Suppresses endogenous testosterone dose-dependently. Recovery is usual in short trials but is not guaranteed after longer or stacked use, and liver enzyme elevations have been documented. Long-term endocrine and cardiovascular effects are unstudied, which means unknown rather than absent.
Can you tell if it worked?
Readable — Weeks
Lean mass, lifts, and a hormone panel — measurable enough.
What would fool you Measurability is not the problem. Product identity is: analyses of SARMs sold online repeatedly find different compounds, wrong doses, or nothing at all, so you may not be running the experiment you think you are.
What the evidence says
Basaria 2013 early-phase showed lean mass increase over 3 weeks. Will Grier NCAA quarterback tested positive 2015 — common sport issue. Liver injury case reports published. More HPG-suppressive than Ostarine despite tissue-selectivity claims.
Mechanism
Non-steroidal SARM; high oral bioavailability; tissue-selective AR agonist; originally Ligand Pharmaceuticals, licensed to Viking Therapeutics (cachexia indication)
Studied, labeled, or reported dose & route
Typical illicit: 5-10 mg/day PO
This records doses and routes described in studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use. It is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety; context changes with indication, formulation, health history, monitoring, and other medicines.
Citations
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Common questions
- What does the evidence show about Ligandrol (LGD-4033)'s effects?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for Ligandrol (LGD-4033) as Weak-Moderate and the benefit magnitude as med, producing an overall grade of C (4.8/10). Basaria 2013 early-phase showed lean mass increase over 3 weeks.
- What safety findings are reported for Ligandrol (LGD-4033)?
- Ligandrol (LGD-4033) has a med risk profile in the database. Med (significant HPG suppression despite marketing; elevated LFTs and lipid disturbance; liver injury case reports) Legal status: NOT FDA-approved; gray market; banned sport (WADA).
- What doses or routes are reported for Ligandrol (LGD-4033)?
- Typical illicit: 5-10 mg/day PO This is context from studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use; it is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety.
- How does Ligandrol (LGD-4033) work?
- Non-steroidal SARM; high oral bioavailability; tissue-selective AR agonist; originally Ligand Pharmaceuticals, licensed to Viking Therapeutics (cachexia indication)
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.