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Anabolic Steroids: Powerful — But Only If They’re Real
Anabolic steroids are powerful tools for building muscle, increasing strength, and improving performance — but only when they’re real. In today’s unregulated black market, fake steroids are alarmingly common, and using them can lead to serious consequences: wasted money, no results, or even long-term damage to your health. Whether it’s an underdosed vial of Testosterone Enanthate or a counterfeit Anavar swapped with Winstrol, fake gear is more than just a scam — it’s a real threat.
"Studies show that as much as 40% of anabolic steroids sold online or through underground labs are counterfeit, contaminated, or improperly dosed."
— Petersen, Journal of Analytical Toxicology
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to spot fake steroids, from sketchy packaging and shady sources to biological red flags your body may show during a cycle. We’ll also give you tips on lab testing, verifying your gear, and using trusted support supplements to protect your health if you’ve already been exposed to fakes.
Ready to get smarter about your stack? Let’s get into it.
Why Fake Steroids Are So Common
Fake steroids aren’t just a rare scam — they’re a global problem, driven by demand, misinformation, and lack of regulation. With the rise of underground labs and online sellers, anabolic steroids have become one of the most commonly counterfeited performance-enhancing drugs in the world.
Here’s why the market is flooded with fakes:
1. High Demand, Low Oversight
Bodybuilders, athletes, and recreational users around the world are chasing faster gains. Since many injectable and oral steroids like Trenbolone or Dianabol are illegal without a prescription, users often turn to black-market sources — which are rarely regulated, monitored, or held to quality standards.
"Anabolic steroid users often purchase products from unregulated sources, increasing the risk of counterfeit and contaminated substances."
— Evans, Drug and Alcohol Dependence
2. Huge Profit Margins for Underground Labs
Counterfeiters can make massive profits by selling underdosed, contaminated, or substituted compounds:
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Replace expensive steroids (like Primobolan) with cheap ones (like Testosterone Propionate)
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Dilute oils with unsafe solvents
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Skip sterile filtration and testing entirely
3. Lack of Consumer Education
Most users don’t have the tools or knowledge to verify if their product is real. They may trust the source based on price, brand names, or community hype — even if there’s no lab testing or Certificate of Analysis (COA) available.
4. Sophisticated Packaging Fools Even Experts
Today’s counterfeiters mimic real pharmaceutical packaging with alarming precision:
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Holograms
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Batch codes
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Barcodes
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Lab logos
But even the best-looking vial doesn’t guarantee what’s inside.
"Visual inspection is not sufficient to verify the authenticity of anabolic steroids."
— Petersen, Journal of Analytical Toxicology
Most Common Fake Steroids
While any compound can be counterfeited, some anabolic steroids are more frequently faked due to their high demand, cost, or reputation for being “mild” or “safe.” These are the most commonly misrepresented or adulterated steroids on the market:
1. Anavar (Oxandrolone)
Often marketed as a mild cutting oral, Anavar is one of the most expensive steroids per milligram. This makes it a prime target for substitution — often swapped with cheaper, harsher compounds like Winstrol or Dianabol.
"A large number of counterfeit products sold as Oxandrolone were found to contain other steroids or no active ingredient at all."
— de Boer et al., European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
📌 See our full Anavar Guide
2. Trenbolone Acetate
Trenbolone is known for its potency and unique side effects (night sweats, aggression, strength gains). But many fakes are either severely underdosed or filled with inert oils, causing little to no results — or worse, infections from unsanitary solvents.
📌 See our full Trenbolone Guide
3. Primobolan (Methenolone Acetate or Enanthate)
Because real Primobolan is notoriously expensive and hard to produce, black-market versions are often completely fake or just testosterone mislabeled as Primo.
📌 See our full Primobolan Guide
4. Deca-Durabolin (Nandrolone Decanoate)
One of the most commonly purchased bulking injectables, Deca is often diluted or mixed with other compounds, resulting in unbalanced hormone profiles and increased risk of side effects.
📌 See our full Dianabol vs. Deca-Durabolin Guide
(This is your locked link reference for Deca articles)
5. Testosterone Enanthate or Cypionate
Even basic testosterone is sometimes counterfeited, especially when sold in multi-vial “bulk deals.” Common issues include:
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Low concentrations (e.g., 100 mg/mL instead of 250)
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Non-sterile carrier oils
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Vials filled with oil only — no active hormone
📌 See our full Testosterone Enanthate Guide
Red Flags To Spot Fake Steroids
Spotting a fake steroid isn’t always obvious — some counterfeits are visually convincing but biochemically worthless. Whether you're inspecting packaging, evaluating your results, or noticing strange side effects, these warning signs can help you avoid dangerous gear.
1. Label and Packaging Issues
Low-effort counterfeits often cut corners with packaging. Look for:
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Misspellings or grammar mistakes
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Poor print quality or pixelated logos
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Inconsistent font sizes, misaligned text, or blurry QR codes
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Missing expiration date or batch number
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Mismatched information between the vial and box
"Packaging inconsistencies and labeling errors are among the most reliable visual indicators of counterfeit anabolic steroids."
— de Boer, European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
2. Suspicious Seller Behavior
Buying from underground or overseas labs often means zero accountability. Be cautious if:
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The seller only accepts crypto payments or sketchy apps (CashApp, Zelle, Venmo)
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Pricing is far below market value
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There's no COA, batch verification, or product transparency
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You can't verify reputation through forum reviews, referrals, or long-term history
3. Poor Vial or Tablet Quality
You can spot many red flags just by examining the product itself:
Injectables
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Cloudy oil or separation in the vial
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Floating particles or discoloration
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Loose crimping or broken seals
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Pain, swelling, or rashes at the injection site
Orals
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Tabs that crumble, smell off, or have inconsistent coloring
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Inconsistent dosage effects (some tabs feel strong, others do nothing)
4. Unexpected Side Effects or Lack of Results
Your body might tell you something’s off before the vial does:
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You’re “on cycle” but feel no changes — no strength, no appetite, no aggression
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A dry compound like Masteron causes extreme water retention
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Sudden estrogenic side effects from a supposedly non-aromatizing steroid
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You crash hard, indicating hormonal imbalance due to improper dosing or contamination
"Steroids that are improperly dosed or substituted can trigger unexpected hormonal responses, increasing the risk of adverse effects or post-cycle suppression."
— Santos et al., Endocrine Reviews
How to Verify If Your Steroids Are Real
Even if your gear looks clean and the packaging seems legit, there’s no guarantee it’s real unless you test it or validate the source. Here’s how serious users confirm their compounds before pinning or popping them.
1. Use Third-Party Lab Testing Services
Several independent labs now offer chemical analysis for anabolic steroids. These services typically require you to mail in a small amount of the compound for testing.
Popular testing options include:
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Janoshik – Known in bodybuilding circles for verifying hormone concentrations and detecting contamination
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Wassay Lab – Another reliable service often used in Europe and the U.S.
"Third-party mass spectrometry testing can confirm compound identity, purity, and concentration — all critical for safety and efficacy."
— Yousfi et al., Clinical Biochemistry
Turnaround time usually ranges from 7–14 days. Results typically include:
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Actual compound name
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Dosage strength per mL or tab
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Notes on contamination or dilution
2. Check for a Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Legit underground labs (UGLs) that care about reputation will post batch-specific COAs. These are third-party verified lab results showing the composition and concentration of each product.
What to look for:
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Matching batch numbers with your vial
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Date of testing (should be recent)
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Lab name and method used (e.g., HPLC, GC-MS)
If no COA is available and the brand refuses to provide one — it’s a red flag.
3. Verify Against Known Underground Labs
Some UGLs have built reputations in forums and communities for consistency and transparency. While this isn’t a guarantee, these brands are usually:
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Reviewed across forums like r/steroids, Eroids, or Professional Muscle
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Known to rotate batch numbers and verify via codes
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Shared via invite-only Discords or private Telegram groups
📌 Warning: Many fakes of legit UGLs exist, so even a well-known name doesn’t guarantee the gear is real. Always check the lot number, label format, and cap design against what that UGL officially uses.
"Trusted sources often provide authentication tools such as scannable QR codes, holograms, or tamper-proof packaging — but these can be faked too."
— Petersen, Journal of Analytical Toxicology
The Dangers of Using Fake Steroids
Using counterfeit or contaminated steroids isn’t just a waste of time — it can seriously compromise your health, performance, and hormonal system. Whether the gear is completely bunk or just underdosed, the risks extend far beyond poor results.
1. Hormonal Imbalance and Shutdown
One of the most dangerous outcomes of fake steroids is partial or complete testosterone suppression without the intended anabolic benefits. This can lead to:
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Low libido, mood swings, and depression
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Lethargy and lack of motivation
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Increased estrogenic side effects due to unbalanced hormone profiles
Many fakes also cause inconsistent hormone fluctuations, making post-cycle recovery harder and putting added stress on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis.
"Users of counterfeit anabolic steroids risk severe suppression of endogenous testosterone and impaired fertility due to unpredictable dosages."
— Kanayama et al., Drug and Alcohol Dependence
2. Infections and Sterile Abscesses
Steroids brewed in unsanitary conditions may contain bacteria, heavy metals, or toxic solvents. Improper filtration or the use of low-grade oils can result in:
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Sterile abscesses at injection sites
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Sepsis or systemic infections
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Painful swelling and inflammation
If a product looks cloudy, smells off, or causes a burning sensation during injection — stop immediately.
3. Toxic Contaminants
Some counterfeit compounds contain no active ingredients at all, while others include harsh methylated or mixed steroids that don’t match the label. This can elevate liver toxicity (especially with oral steroids) and place extreme stress on detox pathways.
📌 For support, consider POST (liver and muscle recovery) and Greens + Reds (gut and detox support).
4. Misleading Progress and Cycle Failure
Taking fake steroids can leave you:
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Frustrated after 8–12 weeks of no real progress
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Misled by placebos or water retention masking true results
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Vulnerable to overtraining, expecting recovery that isn’t happening
You may also misjudge your dosage for future cycles — increasing the chance of overdosing or stacking incorrectly with legit gear later on.
5. Financial Loss and Legal Risk
Fake steroids aren’t cheap. You could easily lose hundreds or thousands of dollars on a bunk cycle — especially if you’re sourcing internationally or through middlemen. Worse, if the product is illegal in your country, you could face:
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Legal penalties or criminal charges
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Customs seizures and investigation
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Exposure of personal info if caught in a sting or bust
Best Practices to Avoid Fake Gear
If you're navigating the world of performance-enhancing drugs, especially outside of legal prescription channels, minimizing risk is crucial. While nothing is 100% guaranteed in the underground market, the following practices can dramatically reduce your chances of ending up with counterfeit or contaminated steroids.
1. Buy From Vetted, Community-Trusted Sources
Don’t just rely on slick packaging or fast shipping. Instead:
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Use reputable UGLs that are frequently discussed and verified on Eroids, r/steroids, or Professional Muscle
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Look for vendors with long-standing reputations, consistent packaging, and batch-specific lab results
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Avoid “pop-up” sellers with no review history or feedback
"Established suppliers who operate over several years and provide consistent lab results are significantly more likely to deliver legitimate product."
— Evans, Drug and Alcohol Dependence
2. Request or Check for COAs
Real suppliers should have a Certificate of Analysis for each compound or batch. If they dodge questions or say “trust us” — don’t. A COA should include:
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Compound name
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Batch number
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Lab testing method (HPLC, GC-MS)
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Concentration of active ingredient
3. Start With Smaller Orders
Never buy in bulk before you've validated quality. Start with:
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1–2 vials for injectables
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20–30 tabs for orals
Then assess effectiveness, consistency, and packaging before scaling up.
4. Use Harm Reduction Tools
Protect yourself by integrating:
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Bloodwork (baseline, mid-cycle, post-cycle) to catch red flags early
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Sterile injection supplies (separate from the gear itself)
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INTRA for hydration and electrolytes
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POST for organ support
5. Educate Yourself
Knowing how different steroids should feel, perform, and behave helps you detect fakes quickly. For example:
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Anavar should improve strength without water retention
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Testosterone should increase libido and recovery within 2–3 weeks
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Trenbolone often comes with aggression, vivid dreams, and night sweats
Cross-check your experience with known side effect timelines and cycle guides.
Supplements That Help Minimize Risks
If you've unknowingly taken fake or contaminated steroids, your first line of defense is damage control — and high-quality, clinical-grade supplements can help restore hormonal balance, support detox pathways, and reduce inflammation.
These are the top Swolverine supplements that support recovery and minimize the health risks associated with counterfeit gear:
ZMT – Complete Hormonal Support
ZMT combines clinically dosed zinc, magnesium, ashwagandha, DHEA, tongkat ali, and DIM — all of which support natural testosterone production, reduce estrogen dominance, and aid recovery after hormonal disruption.
"Zinc and magnesium are critical cofactors in natural testosterone synthesis and endocrine health."
— Prasad et al., Nutrition
Use if:
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You’re experiencing low libido, fatigue, or mood issues
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You need to normalize hormone levels post-exposure
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You’re planning a proper PCT
DHEA – Hormone Precursor
Fake or improperly dosed steroids can crash your natural DHEA production, leaving you with poor recovery and low androgens. Supplementing with 100mg DHEA daily may help restore balance during and after a cycle.
"DHEA supplementation may aid in restoring androgenic balance post-exogenous steroid use."
— Traish et al., Journal of Andrology
Krill Oil – Inflammation and Joint Support
Krill Oil provides EPA/DHA omega-3s with phospholipids and astaxanthin, supporting cardiovascular health, reducing inflammation, and helping repair joint tissues damaged from heavy training or toxicity.
Greens + Reds – Gut and Detox Support
Fake steroids are often contaminated with solvents, toxins, and pathogens that impact your digestion and immunity. Swolverine’s blend of superfoods, antioxidants, and digestive enzymes helps:
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Restore gut flora
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Support liver detox
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Improve nutrient absorption
"The gut–liver axis is a critical pathway for managing toxic load from exogenous compounds."
— Albillos et al., Journal of Hepatology
POST – Muscle & Liver Recovery
Formulated for post-cycle therapy, POST includes L-glutamine, carnitine, betaine, and electrolytes to support muscle recovery, liver function, and hydration after a stressful or contaminated cycle.
INTRA – Intra-Workout Electrolyte Support
Dehydration and mineral imbalances can worsen if your fake gear contains diuretics or harsh solvents. INTRA replenishes sodium, potassium, and magnesium while fueling muscle endurance with BCAAs and clean carbs.
Legal Status and Disclaimer
Anabolic steroids are classified as controlled substances in many countries, including the United States, Canada, the UK, and Australia. This means possessing, purchasing, or distributing anabolic steroids without a prescription is illegal and may result in criminal charges, fines, or imprisonment.
In the U.S., steroids are Schedule III drugs under the Anabolic Steroid Control Act, making unsanctioned use punishable by law. In some European countries and parts of Asia, personal use may fall into legal grey areas, but sourcing from underground labs or importing through the mail can trigger customs seizures, fines, or investigations.
"The risk of legal penalties for steroid possession or importation remains significant, especially when international shipping or counterfeit products are involved."
— Sagoe et al., Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy
⚠️ This guide is for informational purposes only.
Swolverine does not condone or promote the illegal use of anabolic steroids. Always consult with a licensed medical professional before beginning any hormonal or supplement protocol. If you choose to use performance-enhancing substances, do so at your own risk, and prioritize education, harm reduction, and health monitoring.
Conclusion
In the world of performance enhancement, knowledge isn’t just power — it’s protection. Fake steroids are everywhere: in forums, DMs, shady websites, and even so-called “reputable” sources. Whether it’s a vial filled with oil, an underdosed tablet, or a dangerous cocktail of unknown compounds, counterfeit gear can derail your progress, damage your health, and shut down your hormones.
But you don’t have to play that game blind.
By learning how to spot fake steroids, verify your compounds through lab testing, and support your body with science-backed supplements, you dramatically reduce your risk. The goal isn’t just growth — it’s growth with longevity, confidence, and control.
✅ Want to stay on the safe side of your cycle?
Check out Swolverine’s Performance Stack and PCT supplements, featuring:
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ZMT for hormone balance
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POST for recovery
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INTRA for electrolytes
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DHEA to restore androgens
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Greens + Reds for detox and digestion
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Krill Oil for inflammation support
Train hard. Stay smart. Don’t get burned.
FAQ: How to Spot Fake Steroids
What do fake steroids look like?
Fake steroids may appear legitimate with well-designed packaging, but telltale signs include:
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Poor crimping on vial caps
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Cloudy or discolored oil
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Tabs that crumble or vary in color
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Missing or mismatched batch numbers
Visuals help, but they’re not enough. Lab testing is the only reliable verification method.
Are fake steroids dangerous?
Yes. Counterfeit steroids often contain:
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No active ingredients
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Under/overdosed compounds
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Toxic solvents or unsterile carriers
These can cause hormonal crashes, infections, liver stress, and more.
How can I test if my steroids are real?
Use a third-party testing service like Janoshik or Wassay Lab. They analyze compound identity, purity, and dosage. Always check for batch-specific Certificates of Analysis (COAs) from your source.
Why is Anavar often faked?
Anavar is expensive to manufacture and highly sought-after, making it a top target for substitution. It’s commonly replaced with cheaper compounds like Winstrol or Dianabol, which can cause drastically different results and side effects.
Can supplements help after using fake gear?
Yes. Even if the gear was underdosed or contaminated, supplements like ZMT, POST, and DHEA can help support hormone recovery, liver detoxification, and inflammation control.
