Desoxymethyltestosterone
Designer AAS developed by Patrick Arnold (BALCO scandal). First identified in an athlete's sample in 2003, leading to one of the most significant doping scandals in sports history. Not a natural steroid derivative — purely synthetic. Limited clinical data due to its illicit nature.
Mechanism of Action
5α-androstane derivative lacking the C3-keto group. AR agonist despite atypical structure. 17α-methyl group provides oral bioavailability. Does not aromatize. Resists metabolism by 3α-HSD (unlike DHT), preserving androgenic activity in muscle. Unique detection challenge: early immunoassay screens failed to detect it due to unusual structure.
Typical Dosing
⚠ Warning Flags
- •BALCO-origin designer steroid — Schedule III in the US
- •Very limited human safety data
- •Positive doping test has ended multiple major athletic careers
Effect Profile
Side Effect Profile
Research Studies
Tetrahydrogestrinone: discovery, synthesis, and detection in urine
Catlin DH, et al. · 2004
USADA/UCLA lab analysis that uncovered the BALCO designer steroid program; desoxymethyltestosterone (Madol) was identified alongside THG in athlete samples, with the report documenting its AR binding and pharmacological properties.