How Long Do SARMs Stay In Your System? What the New Research Says [Case Study]

🧠 Key Takeaways

• SARMs can stay in your system from a few days to over 3 weeks, depending on the compound and testing method
• Half-life is not the same as detection window — full clearance may take multiple half-lives
• RAD-140 and LGD-4033 are among the longest-lasting and most commonly detected
• Most workplace tests do not screen for SARMs, but athletic and military panels may
• Only authorised research use is compliant under UK law — these compounds are not approved for human consumption

You’ve probably seen this question asked everywhere — Reddit threads, research forums, even gym locker rooms:

How long do SARMs actually stay in your system?

Whether you’re designing a compliant research protocol, preparing for bloodwork, or just trying to understand metabolic timelines, the answer is more complex than you might think.

Let’s break it down by compound, half-life, detection methods, and the latest 2025 data.

🔍 Quick Summary

SARMs can remain detectable in the body for several days to several weeks, depending on the compound, dosage, and testing method.
While half-life gives a rough estimate of clearance, modern detection (especially LC-MS/MS) can identify trace metabolites well beyond the active period.

🧪 What Determines How Long SARMs Stay in Your System?

Several key variables impact detection windows:

• Half-life of the compound
  (e.g., RAD-140: ~60 hours, Ostarine: ~24–36 hours)
• Dosage and duration
  Higher doses and longer use = longer detection
• Metabolism and individual clearance rate
  Liver enzymes, hydration, genetics all play a role
• Form of administration
  Oral solutions vs capsules may slightly alter metabolism
• Type of test used
  WADA-level urine tests are much more sensitive than home blood panels

Available resource : Half-Life Calculator

⏱️ Detection Windows by Compound (2025 Estimate)

⚠️ Note: These are estimated for urine testing via LC-MS/MS. Detection in hair or blood could vary.

Updated guidance : SARMs Guide for the UK

🧬 Half-Life ≠ Clearance Time

A compound is not considered “cleared” just because the effects are gone.

It typically takes 5–7 half-lives for a compound to leave the body below detectable levels — and even then, some ultra-sensitive lab equipment can still find metabolites.

For example:

• RAD-140 (60h half-life) → may require 2–3 weeks for near-complete clearance
• LGD-4033 has been detected 21 days post-exposure in WADA-tested athletes

🔬 Types of Drug Tests and What They Can Detect

Most sports testing agencies, like WADA, use LC-MS/MS and can detect SARMs at levels < 1 ng/mL.

Core reading : Can SARMs be detected in a drug test?

📜 Real Cases: Detection of SARMs

Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES), Powerlifting — 2025

• In June 2025, CCES announced a three‑year sanction for a powerlifter after a competition urine test (from 7 December 2024) showed presence of both RAD‑140 and another SARM (ostarine). cces.ca
• This illustrates that RAD‑140 remains detectable in real-world anti-doping analyses (not just experimental labs), and confirms that detection windows can extend beyond the active period of use.

International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) — 2024

• In May 2024 the IPF publicly sanctioned an athlete who tested positive for RAD‑140 in a urine sample collected Dec 2023. Powerlifting Federation
• The violation was listed under prohibited “Other Anabolic Agents,” per the list maintained by World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). World Anti Doping Agency
• The case proves that RAD‑140 detection, via approved doping‑control labs, is operational and “real life” — not hypothetical.

Population‑Level Study: Swedish Urine Samples (2024)

• In a study published in 2024, a lab analyzing routine urine samples (not just elite‑athlete tests) found SARMs in a non-negligible number of cases. Among 542 male samples, ~4% tested positive for at least one SARM. PubMed
• The most common SARMs identified were LGD-4033, RAD‑140, and ostarine. Over half of the SARM‑positive samples contained two or more SARMs. PubMed
• The study also found that 40% of SARM‑positive samples also contained classical anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), showing “stacking,” and complicating detection and interpretation. PubMed
• Conclusion: SARM use (including RAD‑140) isn’t limited to elite athletes — there is “real world” use in the general population, and detection methods are capable of identifying them.

Supplement Contamination & Anti‑Doping Sanctions

This highlights a significant risk even for individuals who might not intend to “use SARMs” — supplement mislabelling or contamination can trigger positive detection.

There are multiple publicly documented cases where athletes were sanctioned because they tested positive for SARMs present in contaminated dietary supplements — especially ostarine. sportintegrity

📚 FAQs (Clear, Click-Worthy Answers)

Are SARMs detectable in blood tests?

Some may be, but blood tests are less sensitive than urine LC-MS/MS. Most standard labs won’t screen for SARMs unless specifically requested.

How long does RAD-140 stay in your system?

It can remain detectable for up to 2–3 weeks, depending on dosage, metabolism, and test sensitivity.

Further learning : What is RAD140?

Can SARMs be found in military or workplace drug tests?

Typically no — unless the test is customised. SARMs are not part of standard 5-panel tests, but elite testing (like for special forces) may include them.

Does the half-life mean it’s gone in that time?

No — it takes 5–7 half-lives for a compound to clear to non-detectable levels.

What’s the law on SARMs?

Check out our SARMs law Guide

Researcher? Browse our UK SARMs stock here