Ask Patrick Arnold #6

Subject: GHB and Gynecomastia

Dear Pat,

I would use the help of your opinion. Is there any chance that the regular use of GHB could contribute to development of gynecomastia? I am 19 and have been using GHB about once every two days at about 4 grams a dose. Maybe it could cause gynecomastia through the same mechanism through which marijuana does? Any opinions on the matter would be much appreciated. (I have never done steroids or any prohormones).

Thanks, Steven

There are a couple of mechanisms through which GHB can theoretically stimulate gynecomastia. The first is through its ability to greatly increase the secretion of the pituitary hormone prolactin. Prolactin is a hormone that stimulates the growth of the milk producing glands in a woman’s breast and therefore would probably affect the growth of gynecomastia as well. The second is through its ability to lower LH levels which could cause a temporary decrease in testosterone secretion. Low testosterone levels are associated with the formation of gynecomastia.

Subject: Supplements for Women

Dear Pat,

Some male bodybuilders I know are advising me to take Tribestan or 19 norandrostenedione. I’ve read that women should stay away from these due to side effects such as facial hair and a deeper voice. Could you please let me know of any legal supplements that are safe for females that will drop some bodyfat and help add a few cuts without making me look like or sound like a man? If you know of any, how often should I take them?

First of all Tribestan, if it works as claimed, should raise estrogen levels in women. It should also raise androgen levels to a small degree as well. I am not sure what the physical manifestations of this increase in hormones would have on a woman’s physique.

As far as prohormones go there is always a risk of virilization when taking them. However if a woman stuck with low androgenic ones such as the 19-nors or 5-Androstenediol, and took doses less than 300 mg a day for no more than 6 weeks, they would probably see gains with minimal risks.

Another interesting compound for women to try would be the non-hormonal anabolic agent Ipriflavone. Since it has no hormonal activity and does not effect your endogenous hormones it should pose no danger as far as masculinization goes.

Subject: Stacking 19-Norandrodiol and Androdiol

Dear Patrick,

I thought it was not beneficial to stack two prohormones that used the same enzyme for conversion (e.g. Norandrodiol and Androdiol) because of the limited amount of the enzymes availability, true or not? Please explain.

Thank you. Cindy

This is true in theory however we do not know what the true limitations of the enzymes really are. That is we do not know at what dosages the conversions will be affected. Also as far as the diols go the conversion is not so important as these compounds appear to have activity in their unconverted forms as well

Subject: Ipriflavone – Scared to use!

PLEASE tell me the truth about this product. Should I switch from creatine? Creatine seems to die out on me and isn’t producing the gains I would like. I’m hearing things about Ipriflavone. Is this stuff going to mess with my hormones? Is it going to elevate my estrogen, something I DON’T want to happen? Or does it just mimic the bone building effects of estrogen? Is it worth the money, will I see muscle mass gains? I have 4% body fat so all I should see are muscle gains. Truthfully and honestly, do you think this is a good supplement for me to take?

I don’t want any of the following:

1. Extra hair growth
2. Testicular shrinkage
3. Bitch tits
4. Elevated estrogen
5. Excessive testosterone elevation
6. Decrease in sex drive (libido)

I do want:

1. Weight gains (muscle)
2. Strength gains
3. Energy gains
4. Any other positive effects

PLEASE RESPONE TO ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I DON’T WANT TO BUY A PRODUCT DESTROY MY BODY.

Since you obnoxiously emailed me the same question about 30 times I was tempted to just tell you to go to hell. But since I have a shortage of decent questions this month I decided I would answer it. Ipriflavone according to all the literature I have read has no estrogenic or androgenic activity nor does it affect the levels of sex hormones in the body. It should therefore impart none of the sex hormone related side effects that you are so fearful of. According to a patent and some animal studies it may have some benefit in increasing body protein stores. It is also well established to counteract post menopausal osteoporosis. More studies have indicated that it may help increase aerobic capacity. Anecdotal reports have not been overwhelmingly positive from athletes however that have taken the stuff. But since it is so safe and not too expensive it can’t hurt for you to try it for a month or two to see what happens. By the way you have been killfiled from my email.

Subject: Synovex H Cattle Implants

Would testosterone propionate implants such as Synovex H be effective if taken orally? It has 200mg of testosterone & 28 mg of estradiol benzoate.

Testosterone is marginally effective when taken orally in doses of 400mg a day (2 X 200mg) according to an old study. You would have to grind the pellets up extremely fine however. And of course, you would be getting a decent dose of a potent estrogen which is probably undesirable. I think this is a stupid thing to do and probably illegal too.

Subject: OSMO Norandrodiol

Dear Pat,

When will OSMO be coming out with Norandrodiol. I would like to try some but being a student in college I can’t afford the stuff from Substrate Solutions and so far OSMO’s prices have been great!!!! Keep up the good work.

OSMO may be coming out with it soon or so they say. I do not know where they will be getting it from at this point or what the quality will be if and when they do.

About the author

Patrick Arnold

Organic chemist

Patrick Arnold, widely considered the "father of prohormones", is an organic chemist known for introducing androstenedione, 1-androstenediol, and methylhexanamine into the dietary supplement market. He became infamous for creating the designer steroid tetrahydrogestrinone, also known as THG and "the clear".

Arnold manufactured THG, norbolethone and desoxymethyltestosterone (DMT) for athletes in the BALCO doping scandal. The designer steroids, which were legal at the time of their creation, were difficult for anti-doping authorities to detect.