YK-11 Dosage Guide: How Much Should You Take Per Day for Muscle Growth
YK-11 Dosage Guide How Much Should You Take Per Day for Muscle Growth. YK-11 is one of the strongest compounds in the SARM family — but it’s also one of the least forgiving when it comes to improper dosing. Originally developed as a synthetic steroidal SARM with myostatin-inhibiting properties, YK-11 shows powerful effects on muscle hypertrophy and strength. However, its aggressive androgenic activity means that even moderate doses can trigger testosterone suppression, liver stress, and other side effects.
If you’re going to run YK-11, you need to know:
→ What the optimal daily dosage is
→ How long your cycle should be
→ How to split doses for maximum effect
→ How to stack it safely (or avoid stacking)
→ What to take post-cycle to recover fully
What Is YK-11?
YK-11 is a synthetic steroidal SARM (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator) first described in 2011 by Japanese researcher Yuichiro Kanno. It is structurally similar to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and behaves more like a hybrid anabolic steroid than a traditional non-steroidal SARM like Ostarine or LGD-4033.
YK-11 Dosage for Beginners and Advanced Users
Because YK-11 behaves more like an oral steroid than a traditional SARM, dosing must be conservative and closely monitored. Higher doses do not always yield better results — and often increase the severity of side effects, including testosterone suppression and liver strain.
➤ Beginner Dosage (First-Time Users)
→ 5–10 mg per day, taken orally
→ Split into 2 smaller doses (e.g., 5 mg AM / 5 mg PM) to maintain stable levels
→ Cycle length: 4–6 weeks max
This dosage range is ideal for users stacking YK-11 with other SARMs like Ostarine (MK-2866) or Ligandrol (LGD-4033) and seeking moderate muscle gain with fewer side effects.
➤ Intermediate to Advanced Dosage
→ 10–15 mg per day, split into two doses
→ Still limited to 6 weeks max due to liver and hormonal strain
→ Always run full PCT post-cycle
This dosage is used by more experienced lifters looking for maximum hypertrophy and stacking YK-11 with other compounds such as RAD-140 or MK-677.
Best Time to Take YK-11 and How to Dose It Properly
Timing and dosing protocol play a key role in both the efficacy and side effect management of YK-11. Due to its short half-life and oral methylation, it’s best to split your daily dose into two equal parts to maintain more stable blood levels and reduce the risk of hormonal crashes or spikes.
With or Without Food?
→ YK-11 is fat-soluble, so taking it with a meal that contains healthy fats (like eggs, salmon, or Clean Carbs) may increase absorption
→ Avoid taking it on an empty stomach, especially if you’re prone to digestive sensitivity or nausea
How Long Should a YK-11 Cycle Last?
Because YK-11 is a methylated oral compound with steroid-like properties, longer cycles dramatically increase the risk of testosterone suppression, liver toxicity, and side effects. That’s why most users — even experienced ones — keep their cycles short and tightly controlled.
Optimal Cycle Length
→ 4–6 weeks is the standard for YK-11
→ Never exceed 6 weeks, even at lower doses
→ For first-time users: stick to 4 weeks at 5–10 mg/day
→ Follow with a full 4-week PCT using Clomid or Nolvadex
Can You Stack YK-11 With Other Compounds?
Yes — YK-11 can be stacked, but with caution. Because it already carries strong anabolic and androgenic effects, stacking should be reserved for experienced users who unders
Best Compounds to Stack With YK-11
➤ Ostarine (MK-2866)
→ Great for beginners or recomp phases
→ Helps protect lean mass and joints
→ Reduces muscle breakdown during cutting
→ Stack dosage: 10–20 mg/day Ostarine + 5–10 mg/day YK-11
➤ Ligandrol (LGD-4033)
→ Synergistic strength and mass builder
→ Be cautious: both suppress testosterone significantly
→ Stack dosage: 5–10 mg/day LGD + 5 mg/day YK-11 (max 6 weeks)
➤ MK-677 (Ibutamoren)
→ Elevates GH/IGF-1, improves sleep, appetite, and recovery
→ Does not increase testosterone suppression
→ Works well with YK-11 for size and long-term lean tissue support
→ Stack dosage: 10–20 mg/day MK-677 + 5–10 mg/day YK-11
“Stacks involving YK-11 should be short, conservatively dosed, and include non-androgenic recovery aids like MK-677 to offset suppression,” advises Dr. L. Mahoney in her 2023 SARM stacking report (Mahoney, Peptide Insight).
➤ Avoid These Combinations
→ RAD-140 + YK-11: Too suppressive for most users
→ High-dose LGD + YK-11: Elevated liver strain and hormonal crash risk
→ Anabolics or prohormones: Redundant and toxic; unnecessary with YK-11’s potency
Do You Need a PCT After YK-11?
Yes — a post-cycle therapy (PCT) is absolutely essential after running YK-11.
Because of its strong androgen receptor binding and steroid-like effects, YK-11 suppresses your natural testosterone production, even at lower doses and short cycles. Skipping PCT can lead to prolonged low testosterone, muscle loss, mood crashes, and sexual dysfunction.
➤ Why YK-11 Requires PCT
→ Suppresses LH and FSH through negative feedback
→ Reduces natural testosterone, free T, and sperm production
→ Increases risk of high cortisol and estrogen rebound post-cycle
“YK-11’s suppression rivals that of mild oral steroids and always warrants clinical-grade PCT,” explains Dr. R. Collins, hormone specialist (Collins, Muscle Insider).
➤ PCT Protocol After YK-11
Week 1–4 Post-Cycle:
→ Clomid: 25–50 mg/day
→ OR Nolvadex: 20–40 mg/day