Adrenosterone (11-oxo, 11-ketoandrostenedione)
11-Oxoandrostenedione, Androst-4-ene-3,11,17-trione, Adrenosterone 11-ketoandrostenedione 11-oxo
A natural adrenal steroid sold as an '11-OXO' supplement for fat loss and muscle. Weak in itself, it can be converted in tissues into 11-ketotestosterone, an androgen about as potent as testosterone.
Legal status: Never approved as a medicine and sold as a supplement in some markets; WADA names it among the anabolic steroids, prohibited at all times; varies by country.
What it gives
What people use it for and what the sources report. Strength is a general category from the literature: mild, clear or strong.
Purpose
Promoted to reduce body fat and add muscle, on the claim that it blocks the enzyme 11β-HSD1, which reactivates cortisol. Never approved as a medicine.
What people seek and what studies show
No human study has tested fat loss or muscle gain. Doping labs gave it to a handful of men only to map its breakdown products. Lab work shows that adrenosterone itself has little androgen activity, but an enzyme in tissues converts it readily into 11-ketotestosterone, a full androgen. The cortisol-blocking claim is untested in people.
Effects
Evidence: Anecdotal — no real studies
Sought effects by goal (as reported)
Possible side effects
Possible does not mean certain: whether they appear depends on dose, duration, individual response and monitoring. Below — what to watch for and how to notice it early.
4 possible side effects
level · how often it is reportedWhat the levels mean
Level: general category from the literature, not your personal risk
How often
- common
- reported often
- possible
- reported in some people
- rare
- reported occasionally
How to lower the risks
For 2 of 4 possible side effects there are specific ways to lower the chance: everyday measures, supplements and options a doctor may consider. For the rest — general advice. No measure removes a risk completely.
Check hormones before and after; if they stay low, see an endocrinologist.
How each option helps (2)
- Regular blood tests — LH, FSH and testosterone show how deep suppression is and whether natural production has recovered afterwards.
- Working with a doctor — Assesses how deep suppression is and guides recovery afterwards, including fertility testing.
What is unknown cannot be lowered, only avoided; tell your doctor what you have taken.
Products obtained without a prescription are often fake, mislabeled or non-sterile, and there is no way to check at home. For legal supplements, look for third-party testing (Informed Sport, NSF).
Stop at the first voice change and see a doctor — early stopping matters.
How each option helps (1)
- Working with a doctor — Steroid labels say to stop at the first mild signs (hoarse voice, facial hair, clitoral growth) to prevent permanent change; checks catch them early but do not make use safe.
Check-ups and blood tests
Which tests and check-ups to do and when. This is a guide — agree the exact schedule with your doctor.
Which doctors can help
Get medical help at once if
- Deepening voice, new facial hair, clitoral enlargement — stop and see a doctor: changes can become permanent. (women)
In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
For women
There are no studies in women. Because it can become 11-ketotestosterone, a potent androgen, acne, unwanted hair growth, menstrual changes and voice deepening are possible; voice changes may be permanent.
Myth & fact
“11-OXO is a non-hormonal fat burner that just lowers cortisol.”
It is a steroid: in tissues it can become 11-ketotestosterone, an androgen about as potent as testosterone, and WADA lists it among anabolic steroids. No human study has shown fat loss.
Combinations
No specific combination notes for this substance yet. The stack check still adds up side effects that several substances share.
Sources
Possible side effects by body system, combinations, how to lower the risks and which tests to do — free.
Open the stack check