Anabolic steroidAndrogenInjectableAnabolic steroidDihydroboldenone

1-Testosterone Cypionate (DHB Cypionate)

Also known as DHB cypionate · 1-Testosterone cypionate · 1-Test cyp

Written by enwyReviewed 15 Jul 20262 sources0 comments

An injectable cypionate ester of 1-testosterone (dihydroboldenone, DHB), a highly anabolic non-aromatising steroid structurally related to boldenone but 5-alpha reduced. It is valued for lean, dry gains and a strong anabolic-to-androgenic ratio, but is notorious for severe, prolonged post-injection pain that limits its practical use. Human evidence is essentially anecdotal.

01 Overview

1-Testosterone is 1(5-alpha)-androsten-17-beta-ol-3-one — effectively the 5-alpha reduced form of boldenone, or dihydroboldenone (DHB). The cypionate ester gives a medium-length release. The compound does not aromatise and is already 5-alpha reduced, so it produces no oestrogen and its androgenic activity does not amplify in tissues like scalp and prostate the way testosterone's does.

DHB is reputed for high-quality lean mass with minimal water retention and a favourable anabolic profile, but the overwhelming practical complaint is intense, lingering injection-site pain and inflammation, which makes consistent dosing difficult. Its evidence base is anecdotal and inferred from the parent DHB pharmacology; there are no meaningful human clinical studies.

02 Mechanism

Potent androgen-receptor agonist increasing protein synthesis; being 5-alpha reduced it does not aromatise and has no progestogenic activity, giving dry, non-oestrogenic gains.

03 Dosing

Tier	Dose	Route	Notes
Common	200–400 mg/wk	IM	Injection-site pain often limits practical dosing.
Heavy	400–500 mg/wk	IM	Pain and inflammation typically worsen with volume.

Ester comparison

Ester	Half-life	Injection freq.	Testosterone by mass

04 Effects

Effect	Magnitude	Evidence
Lean, dry muscle gainReported high-quality lean gains with little water retention; no controlled human data.		Anecdotal
No oestrogenic activityDoes not aromatise, avoiding oestrogenic water retention and gynaecomastia.		Preclinical
Strong anabolic-to-androgenic ratioHigh anabolic potency relative to androgenicity, inferred from DHB pharmacology.		Preclinical

05 Side effects

Effect	Severity	Frequency	Evidence
Androgenic effectsAcne, oily skin and possible hair thinning in predisposed users.	Mild	Common	Anecdotal
Severe post-injection painIntense, prolonged injection-site pain and swelling that frequently limits use.	Moderate	Very common	Anecdotal
HPTA suppressionSuppresses endogenous testosterone and gonadotropins.	Severe	Universal	Observational

06 Legal status

United Kingdom

Class C controlled drug

as of Jan 2026

United States

Schedule III controlled substance

Anabolic steroid analogue; no approved product. · as of Jan 2026

07 References

1-Testosterone (dihydroboldenone): anabolic characterisationSteroid pharmacology / anti-doping literature

WADA Prohibited List - anabolic agentsWorld Anti-Doping Agency

08 Discussion0 comments

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This page is reference information, not medical advice. Doses and protocols are documented as they appear in the clinical literature and in practice — describing them is not a recommendation to use them. Countermeasures listed here are not a substitute for a physician. Legal status varies by jurisdiction and changes.