Since its discovery in 1935, numerous derivatives of testosterone have been synthesized, with the goals of prolonging its biological activity in vivo, producing orally active androgens, and developing products, commonly referred to as anabolic - androgenic steroids that are more anabolic and less androgenic than the parent molecule.
The muscle enhancing action of testosterone and its derivatives and their stimulatory effects on the brain have led to widespread use of anabolic steroids by athletes and "recreational" drug users. Consequently, all anabolic steroids were classified as class III controlled substances in 1991.
Alternative to Anabolic
Steroids
Creatine
muscle building powder
Protein supplements
Anabolic Steroids use and
Medical Conditions
Anabolic steroids have shown some benefit
in a variety of human disorders, including HIV-related muscle wasting and
other catabolic conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
severe burn injuries, and alcoholic hepatitis. Because of their diverse
biological actions, anabolic steroids have been used to treat a variety of
other conditions, including bone marrow failure syndromes, constitutional
growth retardation in children, and hereditary angioedema.
Anabolic Steroid Side
effect, safety, risks and danger
Anabolic steroid therapy is associated with various side effects that are
generally dose related; therefore, illicit use of megadoses of anabolic
steroids for the purpose of
bodybuilding
and enhancement of athletic performance can lead to serious and
irreversible organ damage. The most common side effects of anabolic
steroids are some degree of masculinization in women and children,
behavioral changes (eg, aggression), liver damage, and alteration of blood
lipid levels and coagulation factors.
Anabolic steroids could also raise levels of
homocysteine. Bodybuilders who used the muscle-building anabolic steroids
have increased levels of homocysteine, an amino acid tied to increased
mortality, heart disease risk and blood vessel damage.
Male bodybuilders who take muscle-building anabolic steroids have a dip in levels of male hormones, shrunken testicles, low sperm counts, enlarged breasts, and low blood levels of heart-healthy HDL-cholesterol. International Journal of Sports Medicine, September 2008.
Anabolic Steroid Use
Summary
To minimize or avoid serious toxicities with anabolic steroid therapy,
close medical supervision and periodic monitoring are important, with dose
adjustment as appropriate to achieve the minimum effective dose. Given the
biological effects and potential adverse effects of anabolic steroids,
administration of these agents should be avoided in pregnant women, women
with breast cancer or
hypercalcemia,
men with carcinoma of the prostate or breast, and patients with nephrotic
syndromes or significant liver dysfunction.
Anabolic Steroid and HIV
An oral anabolic steroid can restore the muscle and fat tissue
often lost to HIV /
AIDS, but the anabolic side
effects highlight the dangers that steroids pose to healthy people who
abuse them. A study of 262 HIV -positive men found that the anabolic
steroid, called oxandrolone, helped treat the substantial weight loss, or
wasting, that can arise as a complication of HIV / AIDS. After 12 weeks,
men who took the oxandrolone everyday showed gains in both weight and
muscle tissue. The side effects of anabolic steroid treatment included an
increase in LDL, or "bad," cholesterol, and a drop in "good" HDL
cholesterol. Some men also developed signs of liver toxicity. These
osandrolone side effects, say the researchers, highlight the dangers of
healthy people abusing oxandrolone or other anabolic steroids to build
muscle. Source: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, March
2006.
Anabolic Steroid use and
Crime
Using anabolic steroids is linked to antisocial behavior such as
illegal weapon possession and fraud, according a Swedish study that
provided a warning about the dangers of the muscle-building drugs. But the
researchers said they were somewhat surprised to find that steroid users
were no more likely than nonusers to commit violent crimes such as murder
and assault. Sexual offenses such as rape and property crimes also were
not linked to anabolic steroid use.
Anabolic and sex
Regular use of anabolic steroids over time will have an inhibitory effect
over sex health. Heavy use of anabolic steroids may inhibit optimal
testicular function.
Anabolic androgenic
steroids
Anabolic androgenic steroids are defined as a class of natural and
synthetic steroid hormones that promote cell growth and division,
resulting in growth of several types of tissues, especially muscle and
bone. Anabolic means muscle building whereas catabolic refers to muscle or
other tissue degrading. Different anabolic androgenic steroids have
varying combinations of androgenic and anabolic properties, and are often
referred to in medical texts as anabolic androgenic steroids).
Anabolic steroid questions
Q. Dr what has your anabolic steroid experience been? I made the huge mistake of
using Boldenone Undecylenate 8 months ago and have since had numerous health
problems including a DVT. The DVT is clear and I had a total renal and hepatic
profile done and everything is fine. My problem is a loud ringing in my right
ear following intense exercise. Yesterday I did a cardio stress test and later I
had the very loud ringing in my right ear and Xanax was required to calm down to
sleep. The more intense the exercise the louder the ear ringing is and more
insomnia I have. I suspect I have Cushing's like high cortisol blood levels.
Hopefully my MD is going to 24 urine test.
A. I have not used or treated patients with Boldenone Undecylenate
or prescribed anabolic steroids for over a decade since I feel these hormones
are very dangerous.
Q. I think the bulk of what I'm experiencing is
the tail end of my body clearing the hormone out. I still have insomnia
following intense exercise but deep down I feel like I am slowly getting better.
I definitely have had the worst medical experience of my life re: the use of
Boldenone Undercyclenate. Its beginning to look to me that it can take 2x as
long off as a person was on for the body to totally cleanse itself of an
anabolic steroid. The "funniest" thing is I got nothing but bad out of all this.
I still am must as muscular but much leaner. I'm now lifetime drug free and
shooting for an APA raw squat of 550lbs+ in the 180lb class. Not too bad for 41
yr old man who suffered total bi-lateral fractures of both femurs in 1988.