Methylhydroxynandrolone
Methylhydroxynandrolone (MHN, 17alpha-methyl-4-hydroxy-19-nortestosterone) is an orally active designer steroid combining a 19-nor backbone with a 4-hydroxy group (the oxymetholone/oxabolone-type anti-estrogen motif) and 17-alpha-methylation. It offers dry, non-aromatising anabolic gains but is regarded as notably hepatotoxic even among methylated orals, with only anecdotal human data.
01 Overview
MHN grafts the 4-hydroxy anti-estrogenic feature (as in formestane/oxabolone) onto a methylated 19-nortestosterone. The result is a non-aromatising, dry compound marketed briefly as a designer 'prohormone'. The 4-hydroxy group blocks aromatisation and adds weak aromatase-inhibiting activity.
MHN developed a reputation for being especially hard on the liver relative to its modest gains, and several adverse reports of liver strain circulated when it was sold. No clinical trials exist.
02 Mechanism
19-nor androgen-receptor agonist with a 4-hydroxy anti-estrogenic motif; 17-alpha-methylation confers oral activity; non-aromatising.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anecdotal | 10–20 mg/day | Oral | Grey-market only; low doses due to liver strain. |
Ester comparison
| Ester | Half-life | Injection freq. | Testosterone by mass |
|---|
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry lean massNon-aromatising 19-nor anabolic effect. | modest | Anecdotal | |
| Reduced estrogenic bloat4-hydroxy group gives weak anti-estrogen action. | mild | Anecdotal |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adverse lipidsHDL suppression typical of oral AAS. | Moderate | Common | Preclinical | |
| Pronounced hepatotoxicityReputation for heavy liver strain relative to gains. | Severe | Common | Anecdotal | |
| Progestogenic suppressionStrong testosterone suppression from the 19-nor backbone. | Severe | Universal | Preclinical |