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Lgd3.5
LGD-4033 (Ligandrol) Research
Mostly mechanism / observational
6 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Mostly mechanism / observational
Most LGD-4033 (Ligandrol) studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.
Most evidence is from mixed-quality randomised trials published 2013–2025 with a typical study size of 2 participants.
Based on 6 studies · 1 RCT · 124 total participants
Confidence
Low confidence
By outcome
Lean mass & body compositionA 21-day phase-1 RCT in healthy young men found a dose-dependent increase in lean body mass with no significant change in fat mass (testosterone-suppressing; serious liver-injury case reports exist) · ~3 weeks (trial duration)
Mostly mechanism / observational5 studies
Testosterone & hormone suppression
Mostly mechanism / observational4 studies
Liver health
Mostly mechanism / observational3 studies
Safety profile
Too few graded studies2 studies
Cholesterol & lipids
Too few graded studies1 study
Active research area
3 studies in the last 5 years
201320192025
1Observationaln=44 · small study2017
In plain English: Among 44 products marketed and sold as selective androgen receptor modulators, only 23 (52%) contained 1 or more selective androgen receptor modulators (Ostarine, LGD-4033, or Andarine).
Van Wagoner RM, Eichner A, Bhasin S, Deuster PA, Eichner D · JAMA (2017)
Mandatory product-integrity counter-evidence: chemical analysis of 44 internet products sold as SARMs (including LGD-4033)
Only 52% contained any SARM; 39% contained a different unapproved drug (ibutamoren, GW501516, SR9009); 9% contained no active compound
The labelled amount matched the analysed content in only 41% of products; 59% differed substantially
In plain English: Lean body mass increased dose dependently ... LGD-4033 administration was associated with dose-dependent suppression of total testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.
Basaria S, Collins L, Dillon EL, Orwoll K, Storer TW, Miciek R, et al. · The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences (2013)
The pivotal — and only — human RCT of LGD-4033: 76 healthy men randomised to placebo or 0.1, 0.3, or 1.0 mg daily for 21 days
Lean body mass increased dose-dependently with no significant change in fat mass; no drug-related serious adverse events over the short course
BUT dose-dependent suppression of total testosterone, SHBG, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, with free testosterone and FSH suppressed at the 1.0 mg dose
In plain English: Compounds representing the class of selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) are a relatively new group of substances that could be used in the future to improve the condition of patients with cachexia and frailty syndrome.
Borecki R, Byczkiewicz P, Słowikowska-Hilczer J · Endokrynologia Polska (2025)
Review framing the SARM class as investigational anabolic candidates for cachexia, sarcopenia, and frailty
Notes that the compounds furthest along in clinical trials are enobosarm (GTx-024/MK-2866) and GSK2881078 — not LGD-4033
Positions LGD-4033's lean-mass effect within an unproven, still-developmental therapeutic class
In plain English: The biopsy revealed canalicular cholestasis with ductopenia and periportal fibrosis ... a ligandrol-abuse could be determined as cause for the symptoms.
In plain English: We described a 32-year-old man who developed severe drug-induced liver injury after using Ligandrol (LGD-4033) ... liver biopsy that showed cholestatic hepatitis with a mild portal, periportal, and perisinusoidal fibrosis.
Barbara M, Dhingra S, Mindikoglu AL · ACG case reports journal (2020)
Counter-evidence on safety: a 32-year-old man developed severe drug-induced liver injury after using Ligandrol (LGD-4033)
Liver biopsy showed cholestatic hepatitis with mild portal, periportal, and perisinusoidal fibrosis
Notes that Ligandrol is available over the counter and via the internet despite not being an approved medicine
In plain English: We report two cases of liver injury in young men who used ligandrol and/or ostarine for a few weeks ... Histological evidence showed predominantly cholestatic injury with canalicular bile plugs, ductopenia, and mild hepatocellular damage.
Koller T, Vrbova P, Meciarova I, Molcan P, Smitka M, Adamcova Selcanova S · World journal of clinical cases (2021)
Two young men developed acute cholestatic liver injury after using ligandrol and/or ostarine for a few weeks, often with 'post-cycle therapy'
Clinical picture dominated by jaundice and fatigue; histology showed canalicular bile plugs, ductopenia, and mild hepatocellular damage
Both recovered after ~3 months; the off-target hepatotoxic effects of SARMs are emphasised against their misuse by amateur athletes