⚠
Active regulatory warning
Review required: Check FDA MedWatch, EMA, WADA for current status.
Last checked: 2026-05-29
Updated: 2026-05-29 · v2.0 · Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD📎 Cite 📄 PDF
1 Identity

Prohormones

Various: 1-Andro, 4-Andro, DHEA-derived
Use with CautionEvidence: LimitedRestricted
Prohormones are steroid precursors (androstenedione, 1-androstenediol, 4-androstenediol, DHEA, etc.) that convert to active anabolic steroids in the body [1]. Most prohormones were banned by the US Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2004 (and updated 2014 Designer Anabolic Steroid Control Act). DHEA remains legal as a supplement. Prohormones carry ALL the risks of anabolic steroids: liver toxicity, lipid disturbance, testosterone suppression, gynecomastia, and cardiovascular damage. They are WADA-banned and illegal without prescription in most countries [1].
4
Prohormones
Various: 1-Andro, 4-Andro, DHEA-derived
Use with CautionEvidence: LimitedRestricted
Clinical verdict: Prohormones are steroid precursors BANNED by the 2004/2014 Anabolic Steroid Control Acts (except DHEA). They convert to active anabolic steroids with ALL steroid side effects: liver toxicity, lipid disturbance, HPG suppression, gynecomastia. Still available on gray market. WADA-banned. 'Legal steroid' marketing is fraudulent — they ARE steroids (by conversion). Patients using prohormones need the same monitoring as steroid users [1].
RDA
Controlled substances (most)
Target range
N/A
Upper limit
N/A — banned
Evidence
Limited
Population dosing — click to filter
2 Risk self-assessment
HIGH RISK — see overview [1].
Select factors above to see your risk level
Clinical pearl for practitioners
SupplementIndex
Prohormones
Various: 1-Andro, 4-Andro, DHEA-derived · Use with Caution · Evidence: Limited
RDA
Controlled substances (most)
Upper limit
N/A — banned
Evidence
Limited
Clinical bottom line
Prohormones are steroid precursors BANNED by the 2004/2014 Anabolic Steroid Control Acts (except DHEA). They convert to active anabolic steroids with ALL steroid side effects: liver toxicity, lipid disturbance, HPG suppression, gynecomastia. Still available on gray market. WADA-banned. 'Legal steroid' marketing is fraudulent — they ARE steroids (by conversion). Patients using prohormones need the same monitoring as steroid users [1].
Do not miss
⚠ HIGH RISK — see overview [1]
Pregnancy
CONTRAINDICATED [1].
4 Lab interpreter

See overview

<12 Deficient
12–20 Insufficient
20–50 Optimal
50–100 Excess
>150 Toxic
Your level:
Enter a value above
⚕ For healthcare professionals. Does not replace clinical judgment.
5 Quick facts
CategoryRestricted
Safety levelUse with Caution
EvidenceLimited
RDAControlled substances (most)
Upper limit (UL)N/A — banned
Scientific nameVarious: 1-Andro, 4-Andro, DHEA-derived
HIGH RISK — see overview[1]
6 Dosage by population

Adults Moderate

See product label

Elderly Moderate

See product label
Consider reduced renal/hepatic clearance. Start at lower end of range.

Pregnancy Moderate

See guidance
CONTRAINDICATED [1].

Pediatric Moderate

See guidance
NOT recommended [1].

Athletes Limited

Standard dose

Obesity Limited

Standard dose
Fat-soluble compounds may require dose adjustment in obesity.

Renal Limited

Consult specialist
Dose adjustment may be needed in renal impairment.

Vegan Moderate

Standard dose
HIGH RISK — see overview [1].
7 Form comparison
FormBioavailabilityVeganCost/day
['See overview', 'restricted', 'See overview [1].']StandardCheck label
8 Clinical evidence

Strong evidence

See overview [1]. HIGH

Moderate evidence

See overview [1]. MODERATE

Insufficient evidence

See overview [1]. LOW
9 Safety

🚩 Red flags — when to stop and refer

● HIGH RISK — see overview [1]

Pregnancy

CONTRAINDICATED [1].

Pediatric

NOT recommended [1].
10 Toxicity and overdose

11 Drug interactions
See overview Major
Mechanism: See overview [1].
Effect: See overview [1].
Action: See overview [1].
12 Supplement interactions
13 Laboratory monitoring
See overview Primary
Target: N/A · N/A
See overview [1].
14 Deficiency and prevalence
0%
[1]

Risk factors

• HIGH RISK — see overview [1].
15 Frequently asked questions
Key safety ▼
Prohormones are steroid precursors BANNED by the 2004/2014 Anabolic Steroid Control Acts (except DHEA). They convert to active anabolic steroids with ALL steroid side effects: liver toxicity, lipid disturbance, HPG suppression, gynecomastia. Still available on gray market. WADA-banned. 'Legal steroid' marketing is fraudulent — they ARE steroids (by conversion). Patients using prohormones need the same monitoring as steroid users [1].
16 Regulatory status
See overview: [1].
17 References
[1]See overview for key references. REVIEW
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19 Cite this page
Vancouver
Pkhakadze G. Prohormones — safety profile [Internet]. Tbilisi: Public Health Institute of Georgia; 2026 [cited 2026 May 30]. Available from: https://supplement.ge/ingredients/prohormones/
APA 7th
Pkhakadze, G. (2026). Prohormones — Safety profile. Public Health Institute of Georgia. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/prohormones/
CC BY 4.0
🛡 SupplementIndex receives no funding from supplement manufacturers. All content independently authored by PHIG.
GP
Reviewed by Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Editor-in-Chief, Georgian Medical Journal · Chair, PHIG
Last reviewed: May 2026 · Next: November 2026
This entry is provided for educational and public health purposes under CC BY 4.0. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. For corrections: info@accreditation.ge.
Publisher: PHIG · Editor-in-Chief: Prof. Giorgi Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD