Halotestin (Fluoxymesterone) Steroid – Uses, Side Effects, and More

Halotestin (Fluoxymesterone) probably isn’t on your list of top ten steroids – unless you’re a specific type of steroid user (more on that later). That doesn’t mean it’s not an excellent and useful AAS. Halotestin is near the top of the list of the most powerful steroids. It is a very potent steroid but one that has quite specific uses, and for these reasons, it has not seen the same popularity among bodybuilders as most other steroids.

Halotestin excels at boosting strength significantly so that competitive strength athletes can value it. While many anabolic steroids offer some level of strength enhancement, Halotestin’s ability is at the extreme level, but as we will see, this incredible benefit does come with some significant downsides¹, which significantly reduces the desirability of most bodybuilders to use this steroid.

Halo is exceptional at what it does; it’s just quite a niche steroid that you won’t be adding to a cycle unless you need its one or two primary benefits. I will tell you all about what they are, the best uses for Halotestin, and some of the negatives that can be unexpectedly harsh. Want to know all the essential stuff about Halotestin before you consider using this steroid? Well, let’s get into it!

Medical disclaimer: The following guide is based on personal experience and does NOT promote the illegal use of steroids (PEDs). Consult a healthcare professional before using PEDs.

What is Halotestin?

Halotestin is a testosterone-derived oral anabolic steroid that doesn’t have the same popularity as some of the other famous orals like Dianabol. The main reason for this is that Halotestin is not a powerful muscle builder, and many AAS users place a value only on steroids that build mass! However, Halo does have some great benefits that make it useful for specific purposes and a niche category of users.

Halotestin still has many benefits that will suit some bodybuilders and athletes, depending on personal goals. This is a steroid that does not aromatize, making it appealing for cutting purposes as you will not be dealing with estrogenic-related side effects like bloating and gyno.

As with all steroids, Halotestin comes with its share of negatives, and the most notable is its toxicity risk to the liver² and its potent androgenic properties³. This makes Halotestin one of the more challenging steroids to use when it comes to side effects.

A Quick Look at Halotestin

• Other Names: Fluoxymesterone (generic), Halo, Ora-Testryl, Ultandren, others.
• Primary Use: Historically prescribed for hypogonadism and muscle wasting. Off-label use for extreme strength gains, aggression, and pre-competition hardening. Rarely used due to severe side effects.
• Administration: Oral form (tablets). Typical Dosage: Men: 10-40 mg/day (split into 2-3 doses due to short half-life). Women: Avoid (high virilization risk). Half-life: ~9 hours.
• Cycle Length: 2-4 weeks (due to extreme hepatotoxicity and side effects). Often used in the final weeks of competition prep or powerlifting meets.
• Benefits: Explosive strength and aggression (ideal for powerlifters or fighters), muscle hardening and vascularity (no water retention), rapid effects (within days).
• Side Effects: Severe liver toxicity (hepatotoxic due to C17-alpha alkylation); aggression, irritability, and mood swings; hypertension and cardiovascular strain; hair loss, acne, and virilization in women; jaundice or liver failure (with prolonged use); increased LDL cholesterol, crashed HDL; testicular atrophy and testosterone suppression.

Note: Halotestin is one of the most dangerous orals due to its extreme hepatotoxicity and psychological effects. Reserved for advanced users in short bursts, it is not a mass-building steroid but a pre-competition “finisher.” Bloodwork, liver protection, and strict cycle limits are non-negotiable. Avoid if inexperienced.

History and Overview

Halotestin’s development goes back to the mid-1950s, and it was quickly adopted as a medical treatment for testosterone deficiency, delayed puberty in males, and breast cancer in women⁴. Today, its medical use is uncommon in most countries, with the development of other safer drugs often favored above using AAS (like Halo) for conditions such as breast cancer (where women are likely to experience severe side effects).

Halotestin’s most notable performance use today is in the world of powerlifting and, increasingly, competitive fighting sports like MMA, where explosive strength and power⁵ are desired above all other benefits.

Mechanism of Action

With Halotestin being based on testosterone⁶, we can expect it to have many properties and mechanisms of action similar to the original hormone. However, the modifications to the chemical structure that resulted in the creation of Halotestin have given this steroid some particularly unique characteristics that have made it appealing to certain users – primarily those wanting incredible strength with no increase in body weight⁷.

Halo’s extreme androgenic and anabolic ratings (850 and 1900, respectively) don’t reflect its actual effects on the body, with this steroid having virtually no capacity at all to build lean muscle. So, this brings us to Halotestin’s most famous benefit: It has a fantastic ability to give you massive amounts of strength. Much of this effect comes from Halo’s ability to raise hematocrit and hemoglobin levels substantially.

Halo may also help stimulate the production of erythropoietin⁸, a hormone important in the production of red blood cells⁹. This not only contributes to the incredible strength effects of Halotestin but also to its excellent ability to improve stamina, power, and endurance.

Effects of Halotestin (Benefits)

Halotestin is one of those AAS we have to pay no attention to because of its anabolic and androgenic ratings. Why? Because Halotestin has an out-of-this-world anabolic rating of 1900, which would lead you to believe that Halo is Earth’s most potent muscle builder.

In reality?

Halotestin has very poor anabolic strength and is not used to gain muscle. In this case, the anabolic rating is deceiving and doesn’t translate to real-world performance; it can be safely ignored. Thankfully, there’s a lot more to a steroid than its ratings, and Halotestin comes with some valuable benefits and effects:

• Strength: Halotestin provides substantial strength gains; you will start noticing them within the first few days. This is the primary reason powerlifters and fighters use Halotestin. Still, even if you’re not a competitive lifter, Halotestin will have you knocking off personal lifting records in the gym pretty quickly.
• Focus: A quick onset of enhanced mental focus can benefit you from the first day you take Halo. This will pinpoint your focus on your workouts or your physical pursuits. Some users even say they struggle to think about anything else besides their one goal (lifting, fighting).
• Aggression: Like it or not, increased aggression is a big reason many guys use Halo and why it’s very popular with fighters. As long as you can keep these aggressive tendencies under control when you need to and channel the energy into your training, lifting, and competitions, then you’ll find this to be a massively positive benefit of Halotestin.
• Hardening: Muscle hardening and drying out are the cosmetic effects of Halotestin. This isn’t an AAS most people use for aesthetic reasons, but it can improve your physique when you drop it into the end of a cutting or recomp cycle. Increased vascularity comes along with these effects, but unless you’re particularly lean already, then you won’t necessarily find the hardening effects of Halo to be prominent.
• Fat loss: The possible fat loss effects of Halotestin are not often thought about due to its ability to regulate fatty acid oxidation. Just like the hardening and drying effects of Halotestin, you would need to be very lean already to see any notable fat loss benefits from this steroid. It will have little impact on burning fat from individuals carrying excess pounds.
• Pre-contest: One of the few uses of Halotestin is during the pre-contest phase, where the diet is highly restricted and strict, and many people will struggle or fall before the final hurdle. Halotestin can provide the extra kick and energy needed to push through the most challenging times just before a contest.

Competitors will also benefit from enhanced physical conditioning before a competition, with definition and hardness receiving a boost. This is only of great benefit to those who are already very lean and have some of the lowest body fat levels if you are to see the true power of Halotestin in this area. For the average bodybuilder, this will not be possible. Still, those who take physical conditioning to the highest level will value what Halotestin can contribute to this contest preparation phase.

Halotestin Dosing and Administration

Halotestin is a steroid we don’t need to take high doses of. Or I should say: You don’t want to take high doses of it! I’ve seen more than a few powerlifters talk about taking very high doses of Halo just before a comp or meet, but most users find even a moderate dose to provide out-of-this-world performance benefits.

Every 10mg increase in your Halotestin dose can risk drastically changing your experience with this AAS for better or worse, so the key is to take it slow and follow what many pros do: Slowly ramp up the dose by 10mg every few days.

Doses

Regardless of how much experience you’ve already got with any other AAS, Halotestin is one that I STRONGLY recommend you test your response to over a few days only at a low dose (about 10-20mg). Because it kicks in fast, you’ll get a good idea quickly of how you feel about it and how much it’s stressing your cardiovascular system.

Clinical doses in the treatment of androgen deficiency and breast cancer in women can be surprisingly high¹⁰ when we consider the side effect profile of Halotestin:

• For male hypogonadism, up to 20mg per day is given
• Up to 40mg daily is prescribed for women with advanced breast cancer

The doses we use for strength and aesthetic results will be very similar to those prescribed medically, even for advanced users.

Beginner

Without exception, beginners should start with a 10mg dosage of Halo. Some might stretch to 20mg as a first-timer, but I repeat: Take it slow and gauge your response for at least a day or two. Even 10mg will give you some noticeable strength and aggression benefits.

Intermediate

30-40mg daily is a commonly used dosage; it will be the maximum dosage you’ll ever want for many people. You will get Halotestin’s full set of benefits and effects at this dosage, including strength suitable for powerlifting comps and MMA fights, motivation, aggression, and excellent muscle hardness.

Advanced

Advanced users will sometimes increase the Halo dose to 50mg and beyond and reach that point after gradually increasing the dosage over two weeks (sometimes longer) in the lead-up to a meet, comp, or fight. But running a dose of 50mg for any longer than a couple of days? I would strongly recommend NOT doing that!

Female

Females will very rarely look at using Halotestin for any reason. The lack of use of this steroid among women (likely to be very small numbers) means we have virtually no anecdotal data to base a potential dosage on.

Even though this AAS has primary medical use of breast cancer treatment in women, that is an extreme scenario where the benefits are thought to outweigh the side effects, and doses of up to 40mg/day have been prescribed for that purpose (resulting in a very high likelihood of virilization).

For the performance female user, I have to recommend against using this steroid, but those women who do wish to try it for its muscle hardening and strength effects should stick to a very low dose of just 5mg per day.

Dosing Schedule, Half-life, and Cycle Length

Halotestin has a half-life of a little over 9 hours. Now, you will find many Halo users who take this steroid as a pre-workout. Is this effective? Some will argue against it, but there’s no doubt that Halo kicks in quickly, and anyone who’s taken it before a workout (or a fight or lifting comp, for that matter) will swear that the strength boost kicks in and makes a huge difference, with some excellent pumps and added aggression. You do need to have been using it for at least a few days before you start getting a real pre-workout effect, though.

I like Halo as a pre-workout, but that doesn’t necessarily mean taking your entire daily dose at that time. Even guys taking just 20mg a day will often split it. But this is a personal preference. If your priority is the big hit before a workout or event, then the entire dose an hour or two before can hit the spot.

How comfortable are you using a liver-toxic and cardiovascular-unfriendly steroid, and for how long? Everyone is different, but I like to stick to no more than three weeks max with Halotestin. And that’s at a dose of 30mg. The side effects are often too powerful to take it further than that. I’ve heard guys say they will only take Halo for a few DAYS, not weeks. Others will run it for four weeks or longer, but you’d need a good reason to do that. If preparing for an event, you must only run Halo for 7-14 days maximum.

Likely Results

Halotestin is a niche steroid popular with powerlifters and fighters who want the benefits of extra strength and aggression, and Halo can deliver that probably better than any other AAS. Most will take it anywhere from a few days to two weeks before a competition or fight. Powerlifters will take a dose of Halo just before a meet, and the combined strength and mental focus boost regularly have personal records broken.

Expect a massive increase in strength, unlike other AAS you’ve used, which generally deliver strength gains and extra body weight. You’ll get enormous strength with Halo but without gaining weight (unless you’re stacking it with a muscle builder). Guys competing in a weight class can’t afford to put on any body weight, which is the critical reason for using Halo above other AAS.

We can see very clearly just how massive a difference a powerlifting AAS like Halotestin can make to the lifting ability of competitors. In the UK, where powerlifting competitions are split into tested and untested categories, the ability of untested (in other words, steroid users, and Halo is possibly the most popular powerlifting steroid) lifters is unmatched by those competing in the tested category.

It’s not all about strength, though: The aesthetic benefits of Halo are nothing to sneeze at. Halotestin can rival Winstrol’s ability to promote muscle hardness, vascularity, and even a nice grainy look. You can also get some very nice pumps, but due to the short use of this steroid, if you want these long-term effects, you’ll need to be utilizing other AAS like Trenbolone. You’ll also have to be lean to enjoy these benefits – under 10% body fat is ideal.

Halotestin Cycles

Being a potent steroid, particularly in the androgenic department, Halotestin does not come with the versatility that a lot of anabolic steroids do. This limits how it can be used in a cycle for maximum benefit while minimizing the side effects.

Because Halotestin doesn’t have high anabolic effects, it’s not used as the primary anabolic compound, and it should not be used on its own or even alongside low-dose testosterone. The liver-toxic effects of Halotestin dictate that it can only be included for a short period in a steroid cycle, so once again, we see another limiting factor when it comes to Halotestin use.

Halotestin has some pretty specific uses, and it won’t be a steroid you use just for the hell of it. You’ll want to be confident about WHY you’re using it and how to slot it into a cycle best. But even using Halo for competition prep still requires a testosterone base, so running a “Halo-only” cycle is never recommended.

Halotestin Cycle for Men

It won’t come as any surprise that most reviews and comments about Halotestin results come from those in the powerlifting world, where Halo is a legendary steroid. “Unmatched strength” and “no increase in body weight” are terms you’ll hear repeatedly from male Halo users.

That’s why we use this steroid: Competitive powerlifters must meet a certain weight, and last-minute weight gain can be disastrous. No other steroid will provide the massive strength effects of Halo without the muscle or size growth that usually comes with it. This is critical if you must stay within a weight class for a comp; every pound can make a difference.

Men experimenting with different doses often discover an essential result: Taking a higher dose does not necessarily result in more strength or other benefits. It can bring on fatigue and lack of focus.

There is often a point of diminishing returns (and we see this with most AAS), but before getting to that point, guys find there’s often a BIG difference in small dosage increments; increasing from 10mg to 20mg, for example, can significantly improve results, but seeing little benefit when it’s taken to 40mg. Outside the performance and cosmetic results, one of the most talked about Halo benefits from men relates to increased sex drive. We get this from most steroids, but it can be especially prominent with Halo.

The mood and mental enhancements are an essential part of your Halotestin results, and tons of guys find that you feel a sense of euphoria within an hour or so of taking your dose (this comes with the aggression boost). Some users go as far as to say this is the best mood improver of any drug they’ve used (not just steroids). Something not often thought about are the stamina and cardio performance improvements Halo gives you – not just strength. While this might not be of great value for powerlifters, it’s beneficial to results for fighters who need to maintain power and strength for longer.

You can’t help but notice the aesthetic results of Halo, even if it’s not your main reason for using it. Harder, dryer, and some will compare the results to Winstrol. While it won’t give you that extent of graininess, it can provide some nice texture, and if you want the most hardcore cosmetic results – stacking Winny and Halo takes it to a whole new level if you’re game. There are, of course, a good number of negative experiences shared about Halo, but we can sort these all into two main categories:

• Guys who already know what to expect from Halo’s side effects.
• First-time users who go overboard on dosage or length of use and hit some serious side effects.

It is worth noting that fatigue or lethargy can set in when using Halo for longer than a few weeks. Some guys find that at the 4th-week mark, tiredness becomes a problem no matter how much sleep you’re getting. This indicates that it’s time to stop the Halotestin cycle at that point (your performance and results will only suffer otherwise). Others find the aggression too much to handle, making it difficult to control what feels like an explosive temper and rage.

Halotestin Cycle for Women

Women rarely use Halotestin, besides a small minority who will often be powerlifters utilizing Halo for a week or two before a comp. In those cases, the results are very similar to what men experience: An increase in strength, power, and stamina will kick in from day one or two and continue to rise. A hardness, more textured, and dry physique will develop.

Females doing any weight lifting or comp activity will find a rapid and increased ability to lift heavier. Those who are combining it with testosterone (often with no ester attached just before an event) see a substantial increase in weight lifted. Like male users, females report an excellent boost to focus and aggression, which further powers performance. Women will use Halo one to two weeks before an event for best results to let the effects build up.

This is not a steroid we see women talking about often as it’s so little used. Those females who are competitive powerlifters will typically not be sharing the fact that Halotestin is being used.

Beginner Halotestin Cycle

Beginners to Halotestin will want to limit its use and include testosterone as the only other steroid in the cycle at a dose that will both provide lean gains and a source of testosterone that will be essential while Halotestin is suppressing normal function.

Testosterone Enanthate, taken between 300mg and 500mg per week, will result in some nice mass gains, with Halotestin providing the strength and drive needed to push through your workouts. While Testosterone can be taken for 12 weeks of the cycle, Halotestin should only be utilized for the first four weeks to provide the initial boost. This particular cycle can be considered as a bulking cycle. While not common, users will find Halotestin to provide a different experience than some of the more standard steroids that a beginner might select to use.

Intermediate Halotestin Cycle

This 12-week cycle adds the famous steroid Deca-Durabolin to the stack. This compound also does not aromatize, so the user can experience gains and physique enhancement without the concern of water retention. Testosterone in this cycle is used purely as a supportive compound at a low enough level to be helpful but not a high enough dose to result in rising estrogen. The intermediate user can expect quality mass gains in this cycle. Testosterone is used at 100mg weekly, Deca at 400mg per week for 12 weeks, and Halotestin is used only for the first 4 to 6 weeks at a maximum of 30mg daily.

Advanced Halotestin Cycle

Only the most advanced users will consider this cycle, which makes use of Halotestin for less than half the cycle length, placed in the final weeks of the cycle with the primary goal being to achieve maximum hardness of the physique, but with the addition of Trenbolone Acetate some mass gains and fat loss can also be targeted.

Tren is considered a steroid only suitable for very experienced users, and this cycle is mainly targeted at those competing in contests where the cycle prepares you in the lead-up to the contest. This entails achieving maximum definition and hardness with zero water retention and minimal body fat. Testosterone Propionate, or any testosterone ester, once again acts as a testosterone support at 100mg weekly for the entire ten weeks, alongside Trenbolone at 400mg per week. Halotestin should be added only in the final four weeks of the cycle at the maximum safe dose of 40mg daily.

Halotestin vs. Other PEDs

Plenty of other anabolic steroids will give you a nice increase in strength, aggression, motivation, and muscle hardening, but none will do all of them quite like Halotestin can. Halo’s effects on strength and aggression are more potent than almost any other AAS. In all likelihood, if you’re a powerlifter or a fighter, then Halo is probably your go-to steroid every time. However, I have heard some guys saying they prefer Anadrol and swear they get similar results. It’s worth comparing Anadrol and Halotestin, as they will identify some apparent differences.

Halotestin vs. Anadrol

Most importantly, Halo will give you temporary but unmatched strength compared to Anadrol. And with Halo, your strength gains come without an increase in size. Anadrol will increase your size, but some of the gains will be water retention.

Anadrol is one of the most potent bulking steroids and can cause serious bloat, which isn’t always easy to control. Think about that for a minute. Not only do you gain muscle with Anadrol, but the fluid retention gives you a very round and full look as opposed to the dry, hard cosmetic effects of Halo. This fact makes it quite different from Halo and provides a different use scenario: Guys who don’t mind gaining size will probably want to use Anadrol instead because its strength effects are potent. But all the strength in the world from Anadrol won’t match Halotestin if you don’t want that size to increase – and this is what makes Halo the first choice for powerlifters and fighters over Anadrol.

Halotestin vs. Superdrol

Superdrol is another potent strength booster. Superdrol is a DHT-derived steroid, while Halo is based on testosterone.

While Superdrol is excellent at increasing strength, you will find that Halotestin is a level above. But Halotestin has some significant mental/emotional downsides; we don’t see that with Superdrol. More importantly, if you want to choose between these two for fight or powerlifting prep, Superdrol will also have you gaining weight and potentially a lot of it. If you need to maintain your current weight and purely want the strength gains, then it’s an easy choice between Superdrol and Halotestin: Halo will be the only option.

Stacking Halotestin

Despite its massive anabolic rating, which I’ve already discussed, Halotestin will never be a bulking compound in any stack. Some will call Halo a cutting steroid because of its muscle-hardening effects. This is true, but with a disclaimer: There are much better cutting steroids that are safer and easier to use for more than a few weeks.

Halotestin is more beneficial for comp prep for fighters and powerlifters and is sometimes added to the end of a longer cycle for strength or cutting cycles. This niche use limits the number and types of stacks that Halotestin is useful for or worthwhile including (considering its high cost, you will also want a good reason to include Halo in any stack).

Halotestin is a steroid that, at the very least, needs to be stacked with a form of testosterone because its suppression effects are severe. This is the most basic stack, including Halotestin. People using Halotestin for pre-contest hardening purposes will find that stacking this steroid with another potent androgen in Trenbolone will result in a highly defined physique. However, the side effects can be expected to be just as extreme, so such a stack is only a consideration for the most experienced and advanced users.

Halotestin + Testosterone (Strength stack)

The most basic stack consists of Halotestin and Testosterone. You can run testosterone purely at TRT doses as a base, or you can increase the Test dose to add more strength to your results. However, testosterone can add water retention and lean muscle, increasing weight. Testosterone propionate is the best ester to use here to match the quick-acting effects of Halotestin and allow for a short cycle.

Benefits:

• Huge strength
• Improved cardio and stamina
• More focus, aggression, and a better mood
• Increased libido
• Muscle hardness and vascularity
• Fat loss
• Muscle gains

Dosing and Cycle Length:

• Halotestin: 20mg-40mg/day
• Testosterone prop: 200mg-500mg/day (depending on whether you want TRT or want to gain some muscle).
• Cycle length: 3 weeks

Possible Side Effects:

• Testosterone suppression
• Blood pressure
• Roid rage
• Water retention
• Acne
• Liver toxicity

Results

This flexible stack can make Halotestin the dominant AAS with Test at TRT doses only (so your results will be Halo-specific and include massive strength gains with no weight). Taking higher doses of Testosterone will add to your weight, but the added strength from Halotestin can turn this into a short bulking cycle with just enough time to gain a few pounds of muscle.

PCT

Enclomiphene for four weeks: 25mg for the first three weeks, then 12.5mg for the final week.

Halotestin + Trenbolone + Testosterone + Anavar (Recomp/Cutting stack)

This stack is much more focused on cosmetic benefits than using Halotestin for strength reasons, and we add Halo near the end of this cycle for additional hardening and drying effects on top of the very powerful aesthetic effects of Trenbolone and Anavar. Beware that combining Tren and Halo can result in serious mood, sleep, and aggression changes.

Benefits:

• Lean muscle gains
• Hard, dry physique
• Increased vascularity
• Pumps
• Joint strength and support
• Fat loss
• Fast recovery
• More focus and confidence
• Increased sex drive

Dosing and Cycle Length:

• Halotestin: 30mg/day (final three weeks only)
• Testosterone prop: 200mg/week
• Trenbolone: 300mg/week
• Anavar: 50mg/day
• Cycle length: 6 weeks

Possible Side Effects:

• Testosterone shutdown
• Cholesterol increase
• Liver toxicity
• High blood pressure
• Acne and hair loss
• Gyno
• Increased rage, paranoia, and other mental effects
• Excessive sweating
• Insomnia
• Tren cough
• Increased appetite (you might find this to be a benefit depending on your goals)

Results

This stack’s hardening, drying, and vascularity effects will be as good as possible. Since Halotestin will be used while you’re dieting on this cycle, the hardening effects will be even more prominent than usual. Anavar will build upon the cosmetic benefits plus give you some excellent pumps and joint support. Tren will boost strength into the stratosphere when combined with Halotestin. Liver toxicity is the primary concern in this cycle, with Trenbolone being a liver-toxic injectable, so taking liver support is essential.

PCT

With Trenbolone leaving metabolites in your system for an extended length of time (many months and sometimes years), a standard PCT cycle will rarely be able to restore normal testosterone function. Instead, testosterone cruising is what I recommend, or a long-term TRT protocol.

Halotestin PCT

Halotestin will be suppressive to your natural production of testosterone. Without any aromatization into estrogen, you also risk suffering the debilitating effects of low estradiol levels (which can feel similar to low testosterone), including:

• Low libido
• Low energy/fatigue
• Depression
• Poor motivation and focus
• Loss of muscle mass
• Fat gain

With Halo being such a niche steroid, it can be easy to overlook that a testosterone base is still required (even though I’ve heard of some guys using Halotestin without a test base at their own risk). Halotestin is fast-acting, so an ideal testosterone base is one of the faster-working esters in Testosterone Propionate. If you use a slower ester like Test Enanthate or Cypionate, then you’ll finish your Halo cycle before you start getting any effects of the testosterone.

The PCT can typically be short if Halo is used for two or three weeks. I would still run PCT for four weeks. Any standard SERMs are suitable: Nolvadex, Clomid, or Enclomiphene, starting the day after your last dose.

Halotestin Side Effects

Halotestin comes with some of the more unpleasant and potentially serious side effects of any steroid. You don’t want to be using this AAS for more than four weeks max (and thankfully, there’s very little reason to do so). But keep your dosage to a sensible level, and you should be able to manage most of the side effects of this AAS when you use it for two weeks or less.

Regarding the potential side effects of this steroid, there are two main areas of concern. One is that Halotestin is a very potent and possibly the most powerful androgenic steroid. Secondly is the severe toxicity impact on the liver, for which Halotestin is once again one of the most potent in this regard. Here are the main side effects to consider when using Halotestin:

Androgenic Side Effects

With such a substantial androgenic rating, it comes as no surprise that the androgenic-related side effects are also going to be extreme with Halotestin. Acne, head hair loss, and body hair growth are all standard androgenic effects. Those with a genetic predisposition to acne and hair loss are almost certain to experience such effects. Still, even men with only a mild predisposition can see themselves having to deal with these particular side effects with Halotestin, and this is not often the case with other anabolic steroids.

Hair loss is not often discussed, likely because Halotestin is used for such short periods that hair loss does not become prominent. On the other hand, acne can be severe for some Halotestin users, and some find it popping up in strange places like the torso and the usual spots on the face, back, and shoulders.

The androgenic effects are also at the very extreme end for women and will most certainly result in issues like body hair growth and a deepened voice. These side effects make it inadvisable for any woman to use this steroid as they are virtually guaranteed to still develop even at low doses.

Estrogenic Side Effects

A welcome benefit of Halotestin is that it has no aromatizing activity and, as a result, no estrogenic side effects that are so common with many other steroids, such as male breast enlargement (gyno) and water retention, as well as raised blood pressure. The lack of aromatization is perhaps the greatest benefit of Halotestin. Still, as we can see when reviewing other side effects, this is the only area where the steroid does not cause any negative issues.

Aggression

Anabolic steroids, in general, have a stereotype of being a cause of increased aggression¹¹ in male users. While this is not necessarily the case for all steroids, it is a major issue with Halotestin. The exceptionally high androgenic effects of Halotestin result not only in greater physical strength but a rise in overall aggression as well.

The mental effects of Halotestin will affect everyone differently. Still, in some users, it can cause terrible aggression and classic roid rage symptoms that can be hard to control and can change your entire personality. Uncontrollable loss of temper is often reported, impacting your daily life, relationships, and job.

What a user does with this increased aggression is highly individual: Those with a naturally calm nature will channel aggression into enhanced physical strength in the gym or in the ring, while those who have a personality of a “short fuse” or anger when not using steroids is likely to be very negatively impacted by the effects of Halotestin in this area and should seriously consider whether this is a steroid that is worth using for that reason alone.

Liver Toxicity

Anyone with existing liver problems should not use Halotestin at all, and even those with a healthy liver need to limit use to less than one month. This is because, as a C17-aa oral steroid, Halotestin is liver-toxic¹², but even compared with other oral steroids of this type, Halotestin toxicity is at a more severe level.

The liver is highly likely to become very stressed while using Halotestin, which can’t be avoided. To minimize the risk of permanent damage, steps must be taken, including not using any other oral steroids at the same time or for at least two months after stopping a Halotestin cycle, limiting use to no more than four weeks, but even less is preferable, and avoiding alcohol and medications which also cause liver stress. Halotestin is possibly the most hepatotoxic steroid available, and this issue must not be overlooked by anyone considering the use of this compound.

Yes, Halotestin is a liver-toxic oral steroid, but because we rarely use it for more than a few weeks, this side effect is often overstated (not that you shouldn’t be taking the risk seriously – don’t mess with the liver). I know people who’ve used Halo for two to three weeks at low to moderate doses and have not seen much movement in liver values. If your liver is currently healthy and you’re adding some of the usual liver support while on cycle, then values should return to normal post-cycle (blood work is always recommended!).

Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure

Halotestin is likely to reduce your good HDL cholesterol levels while raising the levels of bad LDL cholesterol¹³. This increases the risk of arteriosclerosis and potential heart attack with the thickening of the walls of the arteries. Many steroids come with such risks at some level, but Halotestin is one of the most severe because of its impact on the liver, which helps regulate cholesterol.

In addition to its negative impact on cholesterol, Halotestin can cause dangerous levels of cardiovascular side effects. Very high blood pressure can come on quickly. Your resting heart rate can increase to alarming levels: I’ve heard about many guys who find their resting rate hits 180 or even higher, and as a resting heart rate above 100 is considered dangerous, we can say that 180 is extreme and could land you in hospital in no time.

Both the cholesterol and blood pressure effects are essential reasons why long-term use of Halotestin is never advised, and cycles should be kept to no more than a few weeks in length. Anyone who has existing known problems with either blood pressure or cholesterol should avoid the use of Halotestin altogether. Even those with healthy levels in these two areas must monitor them carefully for changes throughout the cycle.

Testosterone Shutdown

Halotestin comes with a very high level of testosterone suppression¹⁴, once again putting this steroid at the top of the most potent ones out there. Halotestin will significantly reduce the normal production of testosterone or even shut it down entirely while the steroid is active in the body. Users of Halotestin will need to add a testosterone steroid to the cycle to maintain functioning hormone levels. Without this measure, you will face a whole host of physical and psychological issues.

Post-cycle therapy will be required after your cycle to restore normal testosterone function as quickly as possible and to avoid a sudden drop in testosterone following the end of the steroid cycle. Nolvadex and HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) are recommended for use during PCT for up to 6 weeks.

Halotestin doesn’t aromatize into estrogen, so unless you’re using a Test base (recommended), you run the risk of crashed estradiol levels and associated symptoms, which can be even more debilitating than low testosterone.

Female-Specific Side Effects

I would strongly recommend against females using Halotestin as virilization, even at low doses is likely. Specific virilizing symptoms¹⁵ that females will experience on Halotestin include:

• Growth of facial and body hair
• Deepening of the voice
• Clitoral enlargement
• Breast size reduction
• Interruption of menstrual cycles

There are far more appropriate and tolerable AAS for women to use (Anavar and Primobolan as two examples).

Where to Buy Halotestin?

Halotestin is more of a niche steroid than any other AAS, so it’s less in demand than the more popular AAS. This results in less availability and less pricing competition among sellers. Yes, Halotestin is an expensive steroid wherever you get it from – there’s no doubt about that. If you have contacts within the powerlifting community, then you may find it easier than most to source Halotestin; otherwise, you’ll want to spend time searching out reputable online suppliers because this is one of the more difficult anabolic steroids to find for sale.

Availability of Halotestin

Fluoxymesterone has been sold under several different pharmaceutical names over the years, but most have been discontinued in the US. Halotestin is still manufactured pharmaceutically in the US, but this is in very low numbers, and locating genuine pharma-grade Halo can be difficult.

Sourcing pharma-grade Halotestin on the black market will likely lead to dead ends, as it’s not widely available. More underground labs and large online suppliers are now stocking Halotestin, and it’s become somewhat easier to purchase recently. However, with this not being one of the more popular and in-demand AAS, you may have to dig around more to find a good supplier.

Beware of some supplement suppliers marketing their products under the Halotestin name – these are not the AAS, and such suppliers can be misleading. Look for the word Fluoxymesterone on the label to ensure you’re getting the genuine anabolic steroid.

Is Halotestin Legal?

Halotestin is prohibited in the US and some other countries. In the United States, it is listed as a Schedule III controlled substance under the Anabolic Steroids Control Act, so buying, selling, manufacturing, possessing, or using Halotestin for any purpose without a doctor’s prescription is illegal. Some other countries, like Australia, have similarly strict laws.

More lenient laws surrounding the personal use of Halotestin exist in the UK, Canada, and some EU countries. In those places, you can legally possess quantities of Halotestin for personal use (however, rules still apply to competitive sports in those countries where anti-doping policies apply).

It’s no secret that competitive powerlifters regularly use Halotestin up to and on competition day. Elite powerlifters who compete in comps that aren’t known to be drug tested are virtually always using Halotestin and other AAS, but this is still not considered legal in most countries.

There are some exceptions:

• With steroid use so ingrained in powerlifting, some British powerlifting competitions allow the use of PEDs, including Halotestin.
• Powerlifters who choose to compete in the untested category are not subjected to drug testing and are free to use Halotestin without consequences.

Typical Pricing

Once you track down a supplier selling real Fluoxymesterone, you’ll notice it won’t be the cheapest steroid you’ve ever used. That’s quite an understatement: Halo is very expensive, and this steroid can easily break the bank. Luckily, we only use it for a short time, but even then, it can still cost you more than a much longer cycle of most other AAS!

With Halotestin being such a specialty AAS that doesn’t have the popularity of something like Dianabol or regular Testosterone, manufacturing is limited, which drives up prices with little competition between suppliers. Halo tablets can be found in 2mg, 5mg, and 10mg concentrations. For a box of 50x5mg tablets from an underground lab supplier, you can be looking at around $170. Considering the minimum daily dose will typically be 10mg or 20mg, you can easily spend several hundred dollars just to run Halotestin for a short period at low doses, so budget accordingly!

Halotestin FAQs

Is Halotestin dangerous?

Every anabolic steroid has the potential to be dangerous when misused, but the risk rating of Halotestin is considerably higher than many other steroids. One of the most significant risks with this steroid relates to its toxicity to the liver. Another area that makes Halotestin potentially dangerous is its impact on cholesterol, mainly when the steroid is used long-term.

These potent effects mean that Halotestin should not be used for any longer than six weeks at the maximum, but most people will not want to exceed four weeks of use. Even just two weeks of Halotestin use will provide substantial results while limiting adverse effects as much as possible.

Does Halotestin aromatize?

There is no aromatizing activity with Halotestin, so estrogen-related side effects are not an issue with this steroid. Halotestin is a steroid that can provide some excellent physique-hardening effects without the fluid retention seen with many other steroids that do aromatize. Halotestin can, therefore, be used for cutting or pre-contest cycles where obtaining maximum tone and hardness is a top priority. The lack of aromatization of Halotestin also means we don’t see other dreaded estrogenic-related effects in gynecomastia.

How long does Halotestin stay in your system?

Halotestin can be detected in your system for about two months after discontinuing use. Since this is a steroid that competitors and contest participants most favor, this is a serious factor to keep in mind if you expect you might be drug tested at any point within the two months of ending your cycle.

How long should you use Halotestin?

This is possibly the most potent steroid, and the most significant risk comes from the effects of Halotestin on the liver. The high level of toxicity that Halotestin will place on the liver restricts the safe period of use to a very short time compared with other steroids. Most people will not want to use Halotestin for longer than four weeks, with six weeks being the maximum without a real risk of liver damage.

What is the half-life of Halotestin?

This oral steroid has a long half-life compared with most other steroid, at over 9 hours. This makes it possible to take Halotestin either once or twice daily by splitting the dose to maintain stable blood levels of Halotestin for best results.

Final Thoughts

Halotestin is a specific use AAS that you won’t need to take unless you want the explosive strength boost without weight gain and the considerable aggression increase Halo brings. And because Halotestin is such an expensive steroid, it’s not something I see value in for the casual or amateur user.

Yes, the cosmetic effects of Halo are stunning. Would I use it purely for those effects? Perhaps now and then to finish off a cutting cycle. But it’s an expensive way to go about it, and in my opinion, I’d still instead be using Winstrol or even Masteron for that purpose. In short, if you’re an elite or very serious competitor in sports like powerlifting, MMA, and other fighting, then Halotestin is worth every dollar. For the rest of us, there are almost always better options.

— Furious Joe