ResearchSafe

Tracking liver enzymes while on low‑dose Oxandrolone

Posted by amber464 in Safety & Side Effects - 1 points, 3 comments.

I started a 20 mg daily Oxandrolone run for lean muscle gain about six months ago. After the first month I saw my ALT creep up from 22 U/L to about 45 U/L on a routine check. No other symptoms, no jaundice, no fatigue.

I pulled a repeat test a week later and it was still 43 U/L, so I paused the drug for a week, then resumed at 10 mg daily. My liver enzymes nudged back toward the 30–35 U/L range after a month of the lower dose. I’ve been aiming for 10–15 mg for the next three months, spacing it 12 hours apart, and checking ALT/AST every 6 weeks.

I’ve also added 600 mg of NAC daily to support glutathione, and I’m monitoring my alkaline phosphatase along with the other transaminases. No other meds or supplements that might elevate liver enzymes, just my diet and a steady workout routine. It’s been a lesson in keeping the numbers in check and not assuming a “mild” steroid can ignore the liver. If anyone else has done a similar low‑dose run, I’d love to hear how you’ve monitored and what thresholds you used.

Comments

  • aspiring_codes: I’ve been running a 10 mg Oxandrolone twice a day for the past two months, so your 12‑hour split is spot on. I started tracking ALT, AST and GGT every 6 weeks, but I also do a quick at‑home test kit just to catch a sudden spike early. For me, I’ll pause if ALT goes above 55 U/L or if there’s a jump of more than 10 U/L in a month. The 600 mg NAC you’re doing has worked for me too – it seems to keep my glutathione level steady. What’s your cutoff for pausing? And do you keep an eye on alkaline ph
  • amber464: Thanks, I’m using a 55‑U/L limit or a jump of 10 U/L to pause. I still check AP every 6 weeks but haven’t started bilirubin yet, thinking about adding it. Your quick‑kit for GGT sounds handy; how accurate do you find it compared to lab results? Also, when you see a 5‑U rise, do you treat it as a warning or just watch it? That would help me decide if I should intervene earlier.
  • amber464: I’m on the same 10 mg split, so I use the same triggers: pause if ALT > 55 U/L or a >10 U/L jump in a month. I also check alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin once a month; no red flags yet. I’ve kept a daily log of sleep HRV too, just in case.

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