🧬 Anabolic Steroid Family Tree: A Framework for Muscle Growth, Performance, and Side Effects
If you’ve ever looked at a steroid cycle and thought,
“Why does Tren hit like a freight train, but Test just feels clean?”
Or wondered why some guys balloon on Dianabol while others feel like garbage…
You’re not alone.
Understanding how anabolic steroids are grouped—based on chemical structure, effects, and side-effect profiles—can turn steroid use from risky guesswork into strategic biohacking.
This guide breaks down the “steroid family tree” to help you:
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Make smarter decisions based on your goals
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Predict how a new compound might affect you
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Understand where side effects come from
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Optimize stack synergy and minimize overlap
🌳 The Anabolic Steroid Family Tree (Simplified)
Think of steroids as belonging to three major lineages:
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Testosterone-derived (Test family)
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Dihydrotestosterone-derived (DHT family)
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19-Nor derivatives (Nandrolone/Tren family)
Each branch carries traits from its parent structure, kind of like how siblings share genes but express them differently. Let’s break it down.
1️⃣ Testosterone-Derived Steroids (The OG Family)
These compounds are closest to natural testosterone. They tend to offer balanced anabolic and androgenic effects, and most aromatize (convert to estrogen) to some degree.
🔬 Notable Members:
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Testosterone (E, Cyp, Prop, etc.)
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Dianabol (Methandrostenolone)
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Turinabol (Chlorodehydromethyltestosterone)
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Methyltestosterone
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Test Suspension (water-based Test)
✅ Benefits:
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Reliable gains in mass and strength
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Enhanced well-being, libido, and aggression (thanks to DHT and E2 conversion)
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Good nitrogen retention, great for bulking or TRT base
⚠️ Drawbacks:
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Estrogenic sides (bloat, gynecomastia, high BP)
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Androgenic potential (acne, hair loss if predisposed)
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May require AI (aromatase inhibitor) or SERMs during PCT
2️⃣ DHT-Derived Steroids (Dry, Hard, Shredded)
These compounds are chemically altered forms of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). They don’t aromatize, which means no estrogen-related sides—but also no water retention or joint lubrication.
🔬 Notable Members:
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Masteron (Drostanolone)
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Winstrol (Stanozolol)
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Anavar (Oxandrolone)
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Proviron (Mesterolone)
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Superdrol (Methyldrostanolone)
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Halotestin (Fluoxymesterone)
✅ Benefits:
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Dry, hard, aesthetic gains
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Great for cutting and pre-contest prep
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No estrogen conversion, lower risk of gyno
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Often improves libido and mood
⚠️ Drawbacks:
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Liver toxicity (especially oral versions)
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Harsh on joints due to lack of water retention
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Can tank HDL and crash natural testosterone
Gym Tip: DHT-based orals are often used “on top” of a Test base to finish a cut, dry out before a shoot or show, or boost aggression for short cycles.
3️⃣ 19-Nor Derivatives (Nandrolone & Trenbolone Family)
These compounds are modified versions of testosterone where the 19th carbon is removed—changing how they behave in the body. The result? A different class of steroids with unique strengths and side effects.
🔬 Notable Members:
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Nandrolone (Deca-Durabolin)
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Trenbolone (Enanthate or Acetate)
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MENT (Trestolone)
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NPP (Nandrolone Phenylpropionate)
✅ Benefits:
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Highly anabolic (especially Tren and MENT)
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Joint relief from Deca’s progestogenic effects
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No estrogen conversion—but can activate progesterone receptors
⚠️ Drawbacks:
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Tren cough, night sweats, anxiety, sleep disruption
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Deca dick (ED from dopamine suppression)
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Can suppress libido hard if not paired with Test
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Prolactin management may be required
Advanced Lifters Only: Tren and MENT are not beginner-friendly—expect strong results with equally intense sides if not managed correctly.
🔄 Cross-Family Stacks: Strategy or Disaster?
Stacking compounds from different families can create synergy—or unnecessary conflict.
🧬 Examples:
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Test + Deca (classic bulking base)
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Test + Anavar (lean recomposition with fewer estrogenic sides)
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Test + Tren + Mast (dry, hard, ultra-aggressive stack for contest prep)
Why it works:
You’re blending estrogenic mass builders (Test) with progestogenic or dry DHT compounds to balance muscle gain, joint support, libido, and aesthetics.
What to avoid:
Doubling up on similar compounds (like Winstrol + Masteron) may just tax your liver or lipids without significant extra benefit.
⚙️ Mechanism Matrix: What Makes These Compounds Tick
| Compound | Aromatizes | Progestin? | DHT-Derived | 5α-Reduction | Liver Toxic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Testosterone | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Dianabol | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Anavar | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Winstrol | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Masteron | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Deca-Durabolin | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Trenbolone | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| MENT | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
This table helps identify what side effects you’re vulnerable to—and how to prepare with AI, Cabergoline, or support supplements.
🧠 Psychological Effects by Family
Each steroid family also affects the CNS (central nervous system) differently:
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Test derivatives → Stable, balanced mood, strong sex drive, moderate aggression
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DHT derivatives → Sharp aggression boost, confidence, but can cause anxiety
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19-Nors → Mood swings, dopamine crashes, possible emotional blunting (especially Deca)
Pro tip: If you’re prone to anxiety or mental fog, avoid 19-Nors unless you’ve already adapted to milder cycles.
🔁 Half-Life & Timing Considerations
Understanding how long a steroid stays active is crucial for cycle planning:
| Compound | Half-Life | Ideal Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Test Prop | ~2 days | Short cycles, fast onset |
| Test Enanthate | ~7–10 days | Long cycles, TRT |
| Tren Ace | ~3 days | Fast-acting, aggressive |
| Tren E | ~7–10 days | Slower onset, smoother ride |
| Deca | ~15 days | Long-term bulking |
| Winstrol (oral) | ~8–9 hours | Short bursts, hardening |
| Anavar | ~9–10 hours | Lean mass, strength |
| MENT | ~4–6 days | Powerful, needs control |
Tip: Don’t mix esters with dramatically different clearance rates unless you’re experienced with managing blood levels.
🩸 Bloodwork Markers to Monitor by Family
| Steroid Family | Key Labs to Watch | Common Side Effects |
|---|---|---|
| Test-based | E2, SHBG, TT, LH | Gyno, water retention |
| DHT-based | HDL, ALT/AST, TT | Liver stress, joint dryness |
| 19-Nors | Prolactin, E2, Prog | ED, anxiety, mood suppression |
Always run baseline bloods, mid-cycle labs, and post-cycle check-ins. Side effects often sneak up over time, especially with liver and lipid markers.
⚖️ PCT & Recovery Tips by Family
| Steroid Family | Post-Cycle Notes |
|---|---|
| Test-based | Needs SERM (Clomid/Nolva) to restart LH/FSH |
| DHT-based | May crash natural T if used without Test base |
| 19-Nors | Needs both SERM and prolactin control (Cabergoline/Prami); recovery can be harder |
Stacking multiple suppressive compounds or long esters increases the risk of longer recovery windows and lower fertility.
🧠 Real-World Feedback: Lifters Weigh In
“Test + Mast = Feel-good cycle. Solid pumps, no sides, high libido.”
– @MassBuilderX
“Deca made my joints feel amazing, but my sex drive tanked. Not running it again unless I up the Test.”
– @IronMike_Coach
“Tren Ace = shredded AF + insomnia + rage mode. You either love it or you don’t.”
– @CycleWizard
These anecdotal reports often echo clinical mechanisms. Always start conservative, and learn how your body responds before chasing aggressive stacks.
🔚 Conclusion: Use the Family Tree, Not the Guessing Game
Steroids aren’t just “strong” or “weak.”
They’re chemically distinct tools, each with a profile of effects, benefits, and risks that reflect their family lineage.
By understanding the anabolic steroid family tree, you’re not just shooting in the dark—you’re stacking with intention.
✅ Choose compounds that complement your goals
✅ Anticipate side effects based on structure
✅ Plan PCT and support with precision
Because in this game, knowing your bloodwork and biochemical blueprint is just as important as knowing your 1-rep max.
