Anabolic steroids
Contents
1. gt audience Drug workers and anabolic steroid users aged 18 v content Some illustrations of drug use no swearing funding Self RC publications 39 41 Thomas Street Manchester M4 1NA lifeline is a registered charity no 515691 life i ne 44 0 161 839 2075 www lifelinepublications org uk publications lifeline org uk icati2. Sterile Equipment one eese 46 The Correct Equipment 46 IKeep it Clear ne eite ni eei eee 47 Drawing up From an Ampoule or Vial 48 Where to Inject 2 Other Sites cette eir eo n EEEa Tias Pre injectioni ioc vi Re ec e be AD edt 51 Injection rss ter ea Co t eda eet ec a aes 52 POS INIECHON SH er coa ea cere es PEU S MN IDA 53 Complications of Poor Injecting Techniques 54 ANABOLIC STEROIDS 7 Introduction Introduction nabolic steroids are basically synthetic versions of the male hormone testosterone They have two main effects on the human body an anabolic or muscle building effect and an androgenic or masculinising effect The realisation that increases in weight and strength can be achieved by their use led to a widespread use of steroids in sport and today there is hardly a strength sport in which anabolic steroids have not been used Their availability from illicit sources has made them readily available and now they are so widespread that they can be found in most areas where serious training is being pursued Nowadays the biggest group of users are probably non competitive users whose reason for use is purely cosmetic Anabolic steroids are not the same as corticosteroids such as cortisone and prednisolone which are medically prescribed to treat asthma and skin the biggest group of users are probably non competitive users whose disorders or as anti inflammatories C
3. Alternative Names Nortestosterone Decanoate Nortestosterone Decylate Proprietary Names Anaboline 50mg ml Anabolin LA 100Deca Durabol 25 50 100mg ml Deca Durabolin 25 50 100 200mg ml Dece ject 25 50mg ml Elpihormo 50mg ml Extraboline 50mg ml Hybolin Decanoate 50 100mg ml Jebolan 50mg ml Nandrolone Decanoate 50 100 200mg ml Nurezan 50mg ml Retabolil 25 50mg ml Retabolin 50mg ml Turinabol Depot 50mg ml Ziremilon 50mg ml Vetinary Products Anabolicum Norandren Nandrolone Decanoate in the form of the Organon product Deca Durabolin has been around for over thirty years As Nandrolone is not C17 alpha alkylated it does not have as strong an association with the occurrence of liver dysfunction and cholestasis However it may cause fluid retention and oedema due to sodium retention by the kidney Reports of side effects include hypertension acne sexual and reproductive problems The occurrence of side effects appear to be more common in females and are influenced strongly by the dosage used ANABOLIC STEROIDS 37 Drug Profiles Methandrostenolone Administration Oral Alternative Names Methandienon Proprietary Names Anabol 5mg Andoredan 5mg Bionabol 2 5mg Encephan 5mg Metabol 5mg Metaboline 5mg also contains multivitamins and nutrients Metanabol 1 5mg Methandrostenolonum mg Naposim mg Nerobol 5mg Pronabol 5mg Stenolon 1 5mg Trin
4. enhancing drugs The Street Info is a summary of some of the commonly held beliefs and views of steroid users regarding these drugs ANABOLIC STEROIDS 35 Drug Profiles P Boldenone Undecenoate Administration Injectable Alternative Names Boldenone Undecylenate Veterinary Products Boldebal H 50mg ml Equipoise 25 50mg ml Ganabol 25 50mg ml Pace 50mg ml Sybolin 25mg ml Vebonol 25mg ml WS OV The Lowdown Boldenone undecenoate is an oil based anabolic steroid used in veterinary practice Drive contains Boldenone undecenoate in addition to Methandriol Dipropionate Street Info Equipoise is commonly thought to be effective in producing rapid increases in strength and muscle mass and has also been used for cutting prior to competition 36 ANABOLIC STEROIDS Drug Profiles Nandrolone Decanoate Administration Injectable Street Info Nandrolone Decanoate Deca is widely considered to be the most commonly used injectable anabolic steroid used for performance enhancement It also has the reputation for being one of the most frequently detected banned substances metabolites can be detected for periods in excess of one year Because of its popularity Deca has been widely counterfeited Due to its relatively low androgenic properties it is also commonly thought to aromatise only at high doses Deca is commonly used for bulking up and has a reputation for promoting size and strength
5. be associated with stunting of growth in adolescents The steroids may lead to premature closure of the epiphyses of the bone This is the growing part of the bone and once union at that site has occurred no further increase in height is possible This will decrease the future benefits of steroids for those interested in appearance or body building competitions Once this has happened there is no method by which it can be reversed Prostate Gland Studies have shown that the prostate gland increases in size during a course of anabolic steroids and it will decrease after the course This is of particular ANABOLIC STEROIDS 25 Side Effects interest to the older male who uses these substances as this age group in particular is susceptible to urinary blockage due to swelling of the gland If there is a difficulty in passing urine in the form of trouble in starting the flow anabolic steroids should be ceased and medical attention is needed It is important to establish the correct diagnosis early to enable simple curative measures to be undertaken Even the young person needs to consider this side effect when faced by urinary problems Infections The commonest infection during the course of steroid use is the one due to lack of sterility in the technique It can be avoided by using a new syringe and needle for each injection and making sure that the hands are washed before any preparation is done The infection will show up as an ab
6. factor There are variations in the rate of uptake of different steroids by the steroid receptors Once again this is not an important factor in choosing a steroid as they are used over a period and any gain that one may have on the first dose is insignificant when a course lasting several weeks is considered It is the final result that is important For a second or later course of a drug there is no reason why the same anabolic steroid cannot be used The body does not develop tolerance and results can be achieved with the same steroid providing that the training programme and diet are adequate How much to use There has been no scientific research performed to find out the effect of a specific amount of steroid on a weight training programme The information available is related to steroid use in medicine and there the expectations are different from those seen in training for weight gain It is important to recognize that if a gain is made with a large dose of steroids it is not necessarily true that the dose was the right one Many of the large doses produce the same result as smaller doses with the excess steroid being spread around the body to other areas where side effects are produced before the material is destroyed in the liver There is a limit to ANABOLIC STEROIDS 15 How Steroids Are Used the amount that the androgen receptors and the cell nuclei can take up and once they are full they cannot handle any
7. level of blood sugar which fluctuates with food intake It also promotes the uptake of amino acids by the cell and increases protein synthesis It is impossible to dissociate these actions and while there may be some gain in muscle there will also be an increase in fat levels There are risks in the use of insulin The most likely problem is hypoglycaemia a lowering of the blood ANABOLIC STEROIDS 29 Other Drugs sugar to a level where there may be an abrupt loss of consciousness and the individual collapses Using this substance is particularly dangerous for a person who may drive a car work near machinery or at heights Hypoglycaemia is recognised by a feeling of faintness sweating and a shaky sensation At times there is an onset of nervousness for no apparent reason There is a sensation of confusion and uncertainty At this time some food should be taken to prevent further symptoms If the diagnosis is wrong no harm is done but if a warning is ignored the consequence may be disastrous for the loss of consciousness could be abrupt and this is too late for treatment Attacks may differ from time to time and should never be taken lightly Insulin is injected under the skin subcutaneously not into the muscle It is important that someone near you knows that you have used insulin and is aware of the effects and treatment of hypoglycaemia These attacks may come on suddenly and without much warning This is the reason w
8. pages provide basic instruction on intramuscular injection Anyone considering self injection should first get advice from a health professional Prospective injectors should approach their doctor or go to a needle exchange service or a local drugs agency Anabolic steroid injectors need to follow some basic rules and procedures to minimise the potential harm 46 ANABOLIC STEROIDS Intramuscular Injections Sterile Equipment Aclean needle and syringe should be used for each injection By clean we mean equipment which has just been removed from its sealed wrapper No injecting equipment should be shared with anybody else under any circumstances Sterile injecting equipment and boxes for the safe disposal of contaminated sharps can be obtained from your local syringe exchange The Correct Equipment Not just any needle will do The needle must be long enough to reach into the muscle and of a sufficient bore to enable an oil based solution to be injected with the minimum of tissue damage For an intramuscular injection to be given correctly either a 21g x 1 5 long green or a 23g x 1 25 long blue needle is usually required Two needles are needed for each injection one to draw up with and one to inject A 2ml syringe should be used as this is the maximum volume that should be injected into a muscle at any one time ANABOLIC STEROIDS 47 Intramuscular Injections Keep it Clean Gather together all
9. produce testosterone produce testosterone and release it into the blood Once they have entered the bloodstream Ell act in much the same way as natural testosterone adding to that already produced by the testes Testosterone attaches itself to cells boosting growth Testosterone attaches itself to receptors in a variety of causing different effects around the body The brain detects the amount of testosterone in the blood through a System and regulates the amount produced ANABOLIC STEROIDS 11 How Steroids Work LNABOLIC STERO 12 ANABOLIC STEROIDS Introduction beneficial in building up the body but when the steroid course is finished the reverse action occurs and there is an increase in catabolism as a result of the corticosteroids being taken up by the receptors again This may be one reason for the weight loss that occurs in some users at the end of the course Once the steroid has been metabolised in the nucleus it is taken from the cell and degraded in the liver From here it is excreted in the bile or the urine The actual excretion products vary from one androgen to another and it is these products that are detected in sports drug testing Testosterone is rapidly destroyed by the liver making the substance useless as an oral anabolic agent unless it is bound with some other radical For oral use of testosterone a chemical group is added to the molecule to allow absorption from the stomach
10. should only be of 6 weeks duration at the most it is often hard to be sure that the absence of a period is due to steroid use Courses of longer duration are more likely to cause longer periods of amenorrhoea and so require a longer spell of steriod abstinence It is important that if another course is contemplated a resumption of periods must be awaited before starting the next course Pregnancy is the commonest reason for missed periods and needs to be eliminated before any other treatment is considered Once this has been done any glandular abnormality should be investigated ANABOLIC STEROIDS 27 Other Drugs Section 3 Other Drugs here are a large number of drugs such as growth hormone and diuretics used in association with anabolic steroids for many reasons including water loss strength gain and increased muscle mass However the most consistent characteristic of these drugs is the absence of scientific data to support their use Research has not been conducted on their effects during exercise and there may be unexpected adverse results with their use Most of the known information on the use of these substances in exercise is anecdotal and based on a single case Their use is generally based on some action known to occur in a biochemical pathway in the ill person and it is assumed the same effect will occur in the well person It is important that the action of a drug is understood before it is used as this will help
11. the drug being too hard on the body Very few women are able to tolerate oxymetholone due to its virilising effects Stanozolol Administration Street Info Oral Stanozolol tablets have a reputation for causing gastrointestinal discomfort after prolonged use Both the tablets and injection form Alternative Names are not considered to aromatise Tablets are often taken in divided Androstanazole Methylstanazole doses to reduce the gastric irritation This practice is popular with female users as it reduces the risks of virilisation which is Proprietary Names associated with large amounts of androgens in the female system Stromba 5mg Winstrol 2mg The Lowdown Stanozolol when given for prolonged periods has been associated with elevated liver function results due to the fact that it is a C 17 alpha alkylated compound 40 ANABOLIC STEROIDS Drug Profiles Sustanon 250 Administration Injectable Proprietary Names Sostenon 250 Sustenon 250 Vetinary Products Deposterone Make Up Sustanon contains four different testosterones Testosterone Propionate 30MG Testosterone Phenylpriopionate 60MG Testosterone Isocaproate 60MG Testosterone Decanoate 100MG The Lowdown Sustanon 250 has considerable anabolic and androgenic properties It was designed to maximise the synergistic effect of using four testosterones The variation in half life times of the testosterones means that the product is fast acting and then re
12. users will be aware of the probability of a product being fake or counterfeit There is often the presumption that the fake steroid will be weaker than the stated content The user will often compensate for this by increasing the amount taken As illustrated above this could be a very dangerous practice In addition to the strength variations of illicitly produced anabolic steroids there are many examples of the stated anabolic steroid being substituted with a different active ingredient There have been cases of high androgenic anabolic steroids being packaged as steroids with much lower androgenic properties Many of the side effects associated with anabolic steroids are a direct result of their androgenic properties The potential for harm can be greatly increased if large doses of high androgenic anabolic steroids are used The risk to female anabolic steroid users is particularly worrying as the virilising effect of androgens in women can result in irreversible side effects ANABOLIC STEROIDS 45 Intramuscular Injections Section 5 Intramuscular Injections for Anabolic Steroids njecting drugs can be a hazardous procedure with serious risk of injury and disease Anabolic steroid injectors need to follow some basic rules and procedures to minimise the potential harm Thankfully most risks are easily avoided by following a few basic rules and procedures Anabolic Steroids should only be injected into a muscle and the following
13. using steroids Liver tumours have been noted in people who used anabolic steroids It is difficult to prove cause and effect but in some people the tumours have decreased in size after withdrawal of the steroid suggesting that the drug may stimulate tumour growth rather than cause it Sexual Disturbance Anabolic steroids may cause a disturbance in sexual function The use of anabolic steroids depresses the formation of the pituitary hormones that affect the function of the testis Follicle Stimulating Hormone FSH is responsible for the formation of sperm and Luteinising Hormone LH stimulates the formation of testosterone Both of these functions are suppressed at least in part by anabolic steroids and it is inevitable that the size of the testis will be effected to some degree with their use This decrease may not be noticed by the individual but is present nevertheless The degree of decrease in size of the testes varies among users and at times can be quite obvious The prolonged use of anabolic steroids will cause a greater loss of size than a short course and the ANABOLIC STEROIDS 23 Side Effects higher the dose the more likely it is that the testes will decrease in size to a notable degree Following the cessation of the drug the testes usually return to their normal size but in those who have used long or high dose courses it is not uncommon for the changes to persist for many months even up to a year or two I
14. Anabolic Steroids A guide for users amp professionals his booklet is designed to provide information about the use of anabolic steroids and some of the other drugs that are used in conjunction with them We have tried to keep the booklet free from technical jargon but on occasions it has proven necessary to include some medical chemical or biological terminology I hope that this will not prevent the information being accessible to all readers The booklet is not intended to encourage anyone to use these drugs but provides basic information about how they work how they are used and the possible consequences of using them If you feel you would like more information then you could read Anabolic Steroids and other Performance Enhancing Drugs by Pat Lenehan Taylor and Francis 2003 Anabolic Steroids A guide for users amp professionals Contents Section 1 Section 2 Introduction Formation of Testosterone ccecccccceeessssseeeeeeeceesseeeeeeeesessteeeee Method of Action aie c RA ses 9 How Steroids Work illustration eeeeeeeesse 10 How Steroids are Used 13 What Sterol ies irn nter nece rice Ree RIDERE ARMES 14 How Much to Use pend niece reete ribns 15 Length of e 15 How Often to Use Steroids AA 16 Side Effects ee eee ree eee nenne ep ven unns 17 ekip ia ro p en
15. as been formed the resultant substance is then transported into the nucleus where it activates genes to produce the appropriate ANABOLIC STEROIDS 9 Introduction protein This is then released into the cytoplasm of the cell to perform its action The characteristics of the particular cell determine the response Muscle cells can only produce muscle protein just as prostate cells can only make prostate protein as a result of steroid use Differences in the various drugs are due to the effect of excess material being free in the blood and affecting other organs such as the brain where it may cause altered emotional effects The receptor numbers in the cell are limited and once saturated they cannot combine with extra material thus limiting the anabolic effect of large doses or extended courses This is referred to as the refractory phase As muscle cells hypertrophy the receptor numbers increase slightly but this is not enough to require large amounts or extended courses for saturation There is evidence that some steroids may bind to more than one receptor The most frequent one is the glucocorticoid receptor and there the steroid will replace the cortisone like substance usually present Corticosteroids have the effect of breaking down tissue and any reduction in this activity is gt continued on page 12 10 ANABOLIC STEROIDS How Steroids Work How Steroids Work sends chemical signals to the testes instructing them to
16. ding to problems such as gynaecomastia Large dosages have been associated with causing psychological effects including aggression Hypertension acne and premature balding are also commonly reported problems 42 ANABOLIC STEROIDS Drug Profiles Methenolone Acetate Administration Street Info Oral Primobolan has a reputation for having low androgenic properties causing little aromatisation water retention or liver damage It is generally considered to be one of the safest anabolic steroids Metenolone Acetate Muscle gains are reported to be slow to develop but of good quality Alternative Names Proprietary Names Primobolan 5mg Primobolan S 25mg The Lowdown Primobolan tablets are not C 17 alpha alkylated and do not have the liver toxicity associated with many of the other oral anabolic steroids ANABOLIC STEROIDS 43 Counterfeits and Fakes Counterfeits and Fakes he existence of counterfeit anabolic steroids is by no means a new phenomenon Due to the limited availability of genuine pharmaceutical products and the laws of supply and demand many anabolic steroid users have grown to accept the fact that the majority of products available to them will be either fake or counterfeit However it is important to note that although the terms fake and counterfeit may imply inferior quality there is evidence to suggest that many of these products do in fact contain anabolic steroids although not always of the dosage or ty
17. eater loss of weight and size at the end of the course It does not occur in every user to a degree where it is obvious but many athletes report a sudden loss of weight after the first few weeks of finishing a course and this is almost certainly due to water loss and not loss of muscle mass Aggression Aggression can take many forms Physical assault Indirect hostility Irritability Negativism Resentment Suspicion Verbal hostility It is important that all anabolic steroid users study their own reactions to the drugs When it becomes apparent that any of the above states is becoming evident then the user should stop The user should take time to assess his position Not all drugs cause the same feelings as there are minor chemical differences between the drugs that affect their metabolism in the emotional centres of the brain Large doses are not only wasteful but also lead to more problems with the emotional symptoms Liver Changes Many steroids cause changes in liver function as shown by alterations in the liver function tests This is most frequently seen with the oral preparations that are alkylated at the C 17 position There have been cases of jaundice reported when steroids have been used but these have often been in patients who used unusually large doses or who were suffering from medical diseases Peliosis hepatica a condition in which there are blood filled sacs in the liver has been found in people
18. ed LEE ADR bol tee ope 18 ICI M PERTE Heart i Fl id Retentiori uie eerte ttr ree E he e HR Er do 19 Side Effects of Anabolic Steroid Use illustration 20 AggressiOHn ioa cec ec ie db ut mere 22 Liver Changes e m t a E et DER eens is 22 Sexual Disturbance nennen 23 Section 3 Section 4 sie 24 Hair LOSS EE 24 INSOMNIA feats crete we te A een ER 24 Tendon Damage sssssssssssseseeneeeneree ener nnns 24 Young People cand el ERA eA Het en 25 Prostate Gland iisipin uniia iaiia enan ii oiiaii paap naats 25 Insulin Growth Factor 1 30 Clerib terol 5 A oit A ee Fi Rn 31 Creatine EET 31 Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin HCG 31 Tamoxifen sie 32 DiliretiCs iecore c ict cit ca dr eee eua arena 32 Testosterone Precursors nenne 33 Legislation aii cea c e Reb 34 Drug Profiles cereo eere enne n nnn ER unu nun uan OO Boldenone Undecenoate nsenssnnnieeeeeennnaneeeeenntnnsenrennnnneneeeen nee 35 Nandrolone Decanoate nennen 36 Section 5 Meibandrostenolone enne 37 Oxandrolone 4 oe ite de ote A sod DaN med ane 38 EK unter 38 Stanozolol sei eee ironia 39 SUSANON 2507 x sese e EE es 40 Testosterone Enanthate cccccccecceeeeeeceeeeeeeeeeeneeeeeeneeeseeeeeteaees 40 Testosterone Cypionate Methenolone Acetate A Counterfeits and Fakes
19. ed to be considered are the use of medications such as Tagamet a treatment for gastric problems HCG and spironolactone Some body builders use this latter drug to reduce body fluid Occasionally boys in the post pubertal phase develop breast enlargement due to endocrine imbalance totally unrelated to steroids Heart There have been cases of people who have used anabolic steroids suffering from a heart attack and dying This group has shown evidence of coronary artery blockage that was responsible for their deaths It is therefore important for anyone considering the use of anabolic steroids to have a medical check up before starting to use steroids Raised total cholesterol and low levels of High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol HDL are known to predispose to heart disease and should be measured before starting steroid use Total Cholesterol is little affected by steroids but the drug sometimes lowers HDL good cholesterol and increases Low Density Lipoproteins LDL bad cholesterol The lowering of HDL levels is due to the effect of the steroid on the liver and this applies to injectable as well as oral drugs Cardiomyopathy a disease of heart muscle has been recorded in anabolic steroid users It presents usually as a form of weakness and breathlessness and needs medical advice for its evaluation ANABOLIC STEROIDS 19 Side Effects Hypertension or high blood pressure has been reported with steroids but there is little ev
20. efits and side effects of using them It is important that the user should not be unrealistic in expectations and realise that large and permanent gains cannot be made in one course Every athlete is different in his or her genetic make up Training diet regulation illness and stress determine the response to steroids Steroids are generally used in cycles and are often taken in stacks Stacking refers to the practice of taking several drugs simultaneously This is common among anabolic steroid users and can also involve the use of drugs other than steroids Cycling refers to the pattern of steroid use where drugs are taken in cycles of a period of weeks followed by a drug free period A major factor is the number and distribution of androgen receptors in the muscle There is no universal pattern of distribution of the receptors but the greater concentration is generally in the upper body leading to Training diet regulation illness and stress determine the response to steroids 14 ANABOLIC STEROIDS How Steroids Are Used a greater response in the arms than the legs in most but not all individuals The number increases slightly as the muscle grows and this may be a reason for some athletes having larger gains with their later course A weight training programme will lead to increased strength and an increase in muscle mass Steroid use should not be considered until the athlete has plateaued that is there is no mo
21. enabling the testosterone to bypass the liver This increases the duration of the action of testosterone by allowing more of the active substance to reach the muscle cells Testosterone is important in the development of the sexual differentiation and the development of the external genitalia before birth These are the androgenic effects of testosterone At puberty it leads to the growth of masculine characteristics such as increased muscularity deepening of the voice development of the beard and secondary sexual features With the increase in testosterone secretion at puberty there is a growth spurt with lengthening of the long bones and eventually closure of the end of these bones epiphyses It also increases the secretion of the sebaceous glands The other major effect of testosterone is anabolic and the increased muscle growth that this produces This is the greatest attraction for athletes To try and develop an ideal anabolic agent without androgenic effects many changes have been made to the structure of the molecule This search has gone on for many years without the desired result To date all steroids have anabolic and androgenic actions A review of the chemical structure of the common anabolic steroids shows how similar they all are ANABOLIC STEROIDS 13 How Steroids Are Used Section 1 How Steroids are Used ag f anyone is considering using steroids it is essential to have an understanding of the potential ben
22. ergic bmg capsules Vetinary Injectable 25mg ml Anabolikum Metandiabol The Low Down Methandrostenolone usually referred to as Dianabol was first produced and marketted by Ciba Geigy in 1960 It was promoted as being highly anabolic Dianabol was also reported to enhance feelings of well being Methandrostenolone and Methandienone are almost identical the only difference being in the spatial configuration of their chemical structure They are C 17 alpha alkylated compounds and therefore exert a significant strain on the liver with even relatively low dosages causing temporary abnormalities in liver function tests Street Info Many users of this steroid have reported dramatic gains in both strength and size However it aromatises even at low dosages with the development of gynaecomastia a common problem Another common complaint is the problem of water retention resulting in hypertension Female use of Methandrostenolone Methandienone can result in virilisation due to its androgenic properties Masculinising effects can occur even at low dosages in some women who are particularly sensitive to androgens 38 ANABOLIC STEROIDS Drug Profiles Oxandrolone Administration Oral Proprietary Names Anavar 2 5mg Lipidex 2 5mg Lonavar 2mg Oxandrin 2 5mg Vasorome 2 5mg The Lowdown Oxandrolone is C 17 alpha alkylated so there is the potential for liver damage Street Info Oxandrolone has relatively low and
23. f the reduction of the testes persists medical advice is needed to restore the bulk of the testes and even then the recovery may be prolonged The reduction in Follicule Stimulating Hormone decreases the amount of sperm and decreases the likelihood of pregnancy but this is not a guarantee of contraception Extended courses may lead to a temporary sterility lasting several years possibly even permanently Steroids have an effect on libido This varies widely from over stimulation to a total loss of libido When the latter occurs the athlete should cease the course and wait for the expected return of the sex drive This does not always happen as the sexual act is a very complex act and there are many causes of impotence The cause of the loss of libido is not a lack of testosterone It is due in most cases to outside 24 ANABOLIC STEROIDS influences and a few shots of steroids will not fix it but make it worse In women there is sometimes an increase in libido when using the drug but this will return to normal on cessation Bleeding Anabolic steroids cause a lengthening of the bleeding time and this can lead to bleeding from the nose mouth or other orifice If this occurs and does not settle quickly or is recurrent a doctor should be consulted to ensure that there is no serious clotting deficiency that could put a user in a precarious position as a result of a sudden bleed after little trauma such as forcibly blowing one s no
24. hy there is a need for someone close to you to know about the use of insulin and the treatment of its side effects 30 ANABOLIC STEROIDS Not all insulin works at the same rate Some insulin works very quickly while others take longer before they have an effect Not understanding how quickly each type of insulin works can be very dangerous Insulin Growth Factor 1 Insulin Growth Factor 1 IGF 1 is important for metabolism as it is the factor that mediates the metabolic effects of Human Growth Hormone in the body The main source of 1GF 1 is the liver but it is also produced in the kidney muscle pituitary gland and the gastro intestinal tract The function of IGF 1 in the muscle is to increase protein synthesis and decrease protein breakdown It will also decrease in the fat levels of the body IGr 1 is manufactured by genetic engineering techniques There is very little indication for its use in the medical field and for that reason there is no readily available medicinal product This leads to the dissemination of counterfeit materials which masquerade as IGF 1 and flood the market with fakes at a high cost to the buyer As a result of the manufacturing process it is combined with an animal protein When injected into humans this preparation may set up an antigen antibody reaction and this can lead to allergic reactions The most important of these is anaphylactic shock a life threatening condition which should be treated a
25. idence to support a cause and effect mechanism Any high blood pressure might not be caused as a direct result of steroid use but may be associated with other side effects such as heart liver or kidney problems If there are any symptoms that suggest heart disease a medical opinion should be sought immediately The principal complaints might be shortness of breath with or without effort chest discomfort and feelings of faintness Fluid Retention There are some people who retain excess fluid when on a course of steroids and feel bloated This is most easily seen in the face and around the neck region It generally disappears within a few days of stopping the drug Should this not happen medical advice should be sought as there are other causes of water retention As a consequence of the water loss there will be a loss of weight in that period but this does not indicate a loss of muscle mass as this continued on page 22 20 ANABOLIC STEROIDS Side Effects Side Effects of Anabolic Steroid Use ANABOLIC STEROIDS 21 Side Effects FACIAL HAIR ACNE DEEPENING OF THE VOICE ROUGHENING OF THE SKIN CLITORAL ENLARGEMENT 22 ANABOLIC STEROIDS fluid is in the space between muscle fibres and not inside the fibres This is not an indication to increase the amount of steroid used in the next course as a lack of steroid is not the cause of the condition More steroid will accumulate more fluid and lead to a gr
26. lar Injections Complications of Poor Injecting Techniques Infection Sharing of injecting equipment can lead to many infections including Hepatitis B and HIV Poor hygiene or unsterile equipment can cause inflammation or abscesses at the injection site which may be hard to heal Nerve Tendon and Ligament Damage Incorrect siting of injections can cause damage to tendons and ligaments causing pain and impairing training Severe nerve damage can occur resulting in impaired sensation or even paralysis This may result in long term mobility problems Muscle Damage Repeated injections into the same muscle group can cause destruction and breakdown of the muscle tissue resulting in impaired muscle function Any subsequent injections in the damaged muscle will be both painful and poorly absorbed in the scarred tissue Haemorrhage Accidental puncture of a blood vessel inside the muscle can cause bleeding and the formation of bruising deep inside the muscle This may result in stiffness and discomfort restricting training ability and performance Text by Pat Lenehan and Tony Miller Design and Illustration by Richard Kemplay Lifeline Publications 2004 All rights reserved z lifeline publication guidelines gt aim To provide detailed information on Anabolic steroid use and substances This booklet also includes a step by step guide to intra muscular injection the purpose of which is to encourage safer practise
27. leted This allows a reasonable time for the body to recover from the effects of the prior course Section 2 Side Effects Il drugs have the potential to cause side effects and anabolic steroids are no exception to this The cause of the side effects may be due to an individual having an unusual reaction to the drug or it may be related to using too much It must be remembered that what one person can use safely may be dangerous to another As a rule of thumb the more steroids used the greater the risk of side effects and the more serious they are likely to be However there are also instances of people reacting adversely to low doses of steroids There may also be evidence of taking other drugs which can exaggerate the steroid effects Potential effects can be reduced or avoided by being aware of the problems Many but not all of the side effects are of a temporary nature and will resolve within some weeks of ceasing the drugs Knowledge of the side effects will allow you to recognise early signs and thus reduce the overall risks ANABOLIC STEROIDS Side Effects the more steroids used the greater the risk of side effects and the more serious they are likely to be 17 18 ANABOLIC STEROIDS Skin Acne is a common side effect of steroid use and is commonly seen on the back The larger the amount of steroid used the greater the likelihood that acne will develop To help to minimize the risk it is helpful to ens
28. low a few seconds for your skin to dry before using the needle There is no reason to use a swab if your skin is clean Soap and water is a healthier option Use your thumb and forefinger to stretch out the bit of skin where you are going to inject 52 ANABOLIC STEROIDS Intramuscular Injections The Injection With the syringe held like a dart the needle is pushed through the skin and into the muscle There is no need to insert the needle to the hilt and care should be taken to avoid hitting bone is not in a blood vessel The plunger is eased back to make sure no blood is seen in the syringe If blood appears then the needle must be removed and the injection reattempted b Before injecting the solution it is necessary to check the needle To minimise damage it is important that the solution be injected slowly ANABOLIC STEROIDS 53 Intramuscular Injections Post injection A small amount of bleeding at the injection site is normal Direct pressure applied with a clean tissue for a few minutes will stop the bleeding and help prevent bruising Other transient effects include slight swelling redness burning or itching These should subside shortly placed in a contaminated sharps container and returned to an agency operating a syringe exchange scheme for safe disposal b Used needles syringes swabs and empty ampoules should be 5 Remember to wash your hands thoroughly ANABOLIC STEROIDS Intramuscu
29. mains effective for several weeks Street Info Sustanon 250 has a reputation for being very effective at increasing both size and strength The adverse effects of water retention and aromatisation leading to gynaecomastia are considered to be less pronounced than in long acting testosterone injections Testosterone Enanthate Administration Injectable Alternative Names Testosterone Enantate Testosterone Heptanoate Proprietary Names Androtardyl 250mg ml Delatestryl 200mg ml Durathate 200mg ml Malogen 100 200mg ml Primoteston Depot 100 180mg ml Testo Enant 100 250mg ml Testosteron Depot 50 100 250mg ml Testoviron Depot 100 250mg ml Veterinary Testosterona 200 200mg ml 10ml vial ANABOLIC STEROIDS 41 Drug Profiles Street Info Testosterone Enanthate is considered to be very similar to Testosterone Cypionate but less likely to cause water retention Testosterone Cypionate Administration Injectable Alternative Names Testosterone Cipionate Testosterone Cyclopentylpropionate Proprietary Names Andro Cyp 100 200mg ml Depo Testosterone 50 100 200mg ml Depotest 100 200mg ml Duratest 100 200mg ml Testa C 200mg ml Testex Leo 100 250mg 2ml The Lowdown Testosterone Cypionate is an ester of testosterone with high anabolic and androgenic properties It is oil based and therefore long acting Street Info Testosterone Cypionate is considered to aromatise easily lea
30. mation of glucose in the liver This increases the likelihood of developing diabetes Another action of GH is to increase nitrogen retention in the body and build up the protein in tissues To do this it is essential to consume an adequate calorie supply This action affects many tissues Prior to closure of the epiphysis or growing part of the bone GH stimulates the lengthening process but after closure it causes the bone to broaden and thicken up GH leads to enlargement of the skeletal muscle mass the attached tendons the liver lymph glands and the thymus gland It diminishes the level of adipose fat tissue and has been used in clinics over the world to reduce body fat in the older population The attraction of GH to athletes is that it causes increased muscle and tendon strength making rupture less likely The major side effect of GH is the overgrowth of the bone This is most apparent in the forehead region when overhanging brows are seen There is also the tendency to develop diabetes when using GH and it is wise to test the urine regularly As a result of the widespread effects of GH there may be the development of cardiomegaly an increase in the size of the heart In this instance having a bigger heart is not an advantage to the user and is likely to lead to heart failure Insulin Insulin causes changes in the metabolism of carbohydrate and fats in particular Insulin is important in the human body as it regulates the
31. more steroids at that time To double the effect in animals takes about 10 times the original dose but in humans this would produce excessive side effects There must be a dose at which no significant benefit accrues but by continually increasing the dose and the variety of steroids used one cannot constantly improve the results obtained The most important factor in gaining weight is the combination of correct diet and an adequate training programme Increasing a dose may not increase the muscle building effect but it will increase the chances of extent of and types of side effects experienced Length of courses Long continued courses of anabolic steroid do not lead to continuing weight and strength gain There is in some athletes an immediate response to anabolic steroids and others take up to 3 weeks to show any development There is a continuing growth pattern generally lasting for some 6 to 8 weeks They plateau 16 ANABOLIC STEROIDS How Steroids Are Used at this level and further steroid use produces little or no benefit Once the steroid receptors are full and probably fatigued no further gain is to be expected It is advisable to restrict courses to no more than 6 to 8 weeks If muscle gains are not apparent in that time the cause is generally not insufficient steroids but a problem with the training regime or the diet How often to use steroids This is a difficult question to answer It is important to have g
32. oals when using steroids as this will make it possible to evaluate progress If progress is not being made then it may be that the goals may be unrealistic A strength gain of around 5 over 6 to 8 weeks is good in an early course although it is often difficult to estimate strength gains with any degree of accuracy In future courses it is more difficult to attain these types of gains as people approach the maximum for their body as it is not possible to continuously increase strength A slightly lower gain exists with muscle mass where 3 might be considered a good result Once again it is not possible to continue the same rate of gain with subsequent courses Most people lose weight after a course of anabolic steroids has finished Many users find it difficult to maintain the high level of effort required for maintenance and as a result lose weight There is in some athletes a retention of water during the course and when the steroids are stopped this water is lost and the scales demonstrate a weight loss over a few weeks The decision to use another course should be carefully assessed and a new goal set The quicker a new course is started the less the gain to be expected as the benefits of the previous course are still evident and receptor recovery has not occurred It is wise in a person who has maintained a heavy training programme that the interval between courses be at least as long as the duration of the course just comp
33. onadotrophin Releasing Hormone cause this from the hypothalamus On ceasing the course of anabolic steroids the size of the testes will recover and sperm growth will return to normal providing that the course of steroid is within reasonable limits The practice of using HCG near the end of a course of steroids to stimulate the testes is baseless and inefficient At the end of a steroid course the pituitary gland slowly resumes normal function in most cases and restores the correct balance of hormones If HCG is used it takes over the duty of the pituitary gland in starting the recovery of the normal balance Once HCG is ceased the testes return to their reduced size and the pituitary resumes its recovery The use of HCG during a course cannot be recommended as it only slows the permanent recovery It has also been associated with the development of gynaecomastia Tamoxifen Tamoxifen Nolvadex is an anti oestrogenic agent commonly prescribed for the treatment of oestrogen dependent breast tumours Tamoxifen achieves this effect by binding to the target receptor sites Tamoxifen is used by anabolic steroid users to prevent or reduce gynaecomastia caused by aromatisation or when endogenous testosterone levels are suppressed Diuretics Diuretics are used by athletes to lose weight and at times the bloated look of water retention due to anabolic steroid use They all have the same basic result in that they cause the body to l
34. orticosteroids reason for use is purely cosmetic 8 ANABOLIC STEROIDS have no muscle building or masculinising effects Whenever the term steroids is used in this booklet it refers to anabolic steroids Formation of Testosterone Testosterone is secreted by the testes the adrenal gland the ovaries and the placenta It is synthesised from cholesterol by a complicated series of steps within the steroid secreting cells The stimulus to form testosterone comes initially from the hypothalamus an area of the brain where several hormones are developed which relate to the function of other glands The hypothalamus releases Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone GnRH which is delivered to the pituitary gland by a special group of veins known as the portal system Once delivered there it causes the pituitary gland to form Luteinising Hormone LH that is released into the blood stream It is then transported to the testis where the Leydig cells form testosterone from the cholesterol that has been stored there for that purpose Once the testosterone is formed it is secreted into the blood stream where most of it is bound to protein and is transported in the bound state throughout the body It is only the free testosterone that is capable of being biologically active Only 1 to 396 of the total testosterone in the blood is able to interact with receptors in the tissue targeted for its use There is a feed back mechanism to the pituita
35. ose water However the individual drugs do this by different mechanisms Some diuretics lead to the excretion of larger amounts of electrolytes than others It has been known for individuals to take potassium supplements to try and replace this electrolyte Potassium supplementation is potentially dangerous and has been associated with cardiac arrest Testosterone Precursors There are a number of products in this category that are very similar in their actions They are all part of the metabolic chain leading to the development of testosterone The first of these is dehydroepiandrosterone DHEA closely followed by Androstenedione and Androstenediol The first two of these are also made by the adrenal gland in its normal function they contribute less than 5 of the total daily production of testosterone When present DHEA and Androstenedione are converted to testosterone or oestrone Androstenediol can only be converted to testosterone For those who use these substances it can be expected that they will act like anabolic steroids and produce similar results It is essential that these drugs produce testosterone ANABOLIC STEROIDS 33 Other Drugs and its life in the serum is very short and any effects are likely to be minimal Research suggests that the results obtained with these substances are no better than hard training and adequate diet 34 ANABOLIC STEROIDS Legislation Legislation n 1 September 1996 anabolic ste
36. pe specified In some instances these products have acquired such a positive reputation that they have become sought after in their own right even to the extent of being counterfeited themselves Traditionally fake anabolic steroids were relatively easy to identify Poor packaging badly printed or photocopied information inserts and bar codes that often appeared to have been drawn with a felt tip pen were and still are the most obvious indications of fake products Other pointers include visible contamination of ampoules variability in appearance and content of ampoules and vials and incorrect tablet consistency There are however exceptions to these guidelines as is evident in the poor quality packaging of genuine pharmaceutical products manufactured in developing countries While it is still possible to find these rather amateurish fakes being sold to the unwary a more sophisticated type of product has appeared on the market which is much more difficult to identify One of the most disturbing aspects of fake and counterfeit anabolic steroids is the variations in content of these products This is especially significant when one considers 44 ANABOLIC STEROIDS Counterfeits and Fakes that some anabolic steroids which have been tested were found to contain nearly twice the strength of the stated content These results clearly demonstrate the problems facing anabolic steroid users who purchase products on the illicit market Many
37. re increase in weight and strength in spite of continued heavy training before using steroids The importance of diet cannot be overemphasised and must contain sufficient carbohydrate food to support a training programme The muscle needs protein to grow but it cannot work efficiently without the fuel and this is best provided by carbohydrate foods Carbohydrate also attracts water into the muscle cell and this results in an increase in the bulk of the muscle What steroid All steroids produce the same result at the end of a course They stimulate the cell nucleus to produce the protein characteristic of the cell In the case of muscle cells that will be muscle protein This is the desired result of using the steroid There is no doubt that there are differences in the effects of the different steroids when taken in a single dose and monitored over some weeks With the testosterone preparations there are differences in the rate at which they are taken up from the injection site These differences refer to one dose but steroids are not used as a single dose but rather as a series of doses over a period of time and this invalidates many of the conclusions based on duration of effect when those assumptions are based on a single dose format There is a question of whether to use oral or injectable drugs There is no difference in the overall effects if the athlete trains correctly the route of administration is not the most important
38. rogenic properties with little aromatisation in males It has a reputation for increasing strength but not size It is popular with women because of its low incidence of side effects due to virilisation however some cases of facial hair growth and deepening of the voice have been reported following prolonged dosages Gastrointestinal irritation including pain and diarrhoea are commonly reported side effects in both male and female users Oxymetholone Administration Oral Proprietary Names Adroyd 50mg Anadrol 50 50mg Anapolon 5mg Anapalon 50 50mg Hemogenin 50mg Oxitosona 50mg Plenastril 50mg Roborol 50mg Synasteron 50mg The Lowdown Oxymetholone is C 17 alpha alkylated with liver disturbances and jaundice common even at therapeutic doses There have also been links between Oxymetholone treatment and the development of leukaemia Street Info Oxymetholone a derivative of dihydrotestosterone DHT and is commonly recognised as the strongest oral anabolic steroid available It is both highly anabolic and androgenic and being C 17 alpha alkylated very toxic to the liver There have been many reports of acne and hair loss due to high levels of DHT in addition ANABOLIC STEROIDS 39 Drug Profiles to its strong association with liver damage and gynaecomastia There have also been reports of headaches and stomach pains There is substantial evidence of loss of size and weight which has been attributed to
39. roids and a number of related substances became subject to the controls of the Misuse of Drugs Act The controls are not as strict as for drugs such as heroin and are aimed more at the dealer than the user Prior to the change in legislation steroids came under the jurisdiction of the Medicines Control Agency an arm of the Department of Health Anabolic steroids Growth Hormone HGH Clenbuterol and Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin HCG all became Class C drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 The maximum penalties available for offences involving Class C drugs are currently 5 years imprisonment or an unlimited fine or both What does all this mean to the man in the street It is now an offence to supply any of the above mentioned anabolic substances without a Home Office licence supply is not restricted to selling these drugs but includes giving to lending to and sharing them with other people However simple possession of an anabolic substance when in the form of a medicinal product is not an offence although possession with intent to supply is an offence This is a grey area and there are no hard and fast guidelines as to what sort of amount the police would consider a dealer quantity Even a few ampoules might be if for example you had been supplying them earlier Section 4 Drug Profiles he following section contains details of some of the most commonly used anabolic steroids and associated performance
40. ry which controls the rate of synthesis of the hormone This feedback mechanism is controlled by the blood level of testosterone As testosterone levels are increased the secretion of GnRH and as a result Luteinising Hormone is reduced and may be totally inhibited This leads to a reduction in production of the hormone and maintains equilibrium When the blood level of testosterone falls the reverse occurs and pituitary secretion is increased to restore balance The total daily production of testosterone in a male is about 7 mgs per day Method of Action The free testosterone in the serum is the only active part of the hormone This amount represents about 2 of the total hormone present in the circulation and its half life that is the time taken to destroy half of the substance is 10 minutes When testosterone is brought into the cell it is firstly converted to 5 alpha di hydrotestosterone DHT and then the work of the cell can proceed The next step is the binding of the hormone with an androgen receptor AR in the cell to form a complex which can be transported into the nucleus where the important reactions take place to build muscle There are not separate receptors for oral and injectable steroids or for different esters The actual protein formed depends upon the cell in which the reaction is occurring Thus irrespective of which anabolic steroid is used a muscle cell can only form muscle protein Once a complex h
41. s a medical emergency There is also a long term possibility of the body developing an antibody to its own insulin leading to diabetes which would be very difficult to treat as the allergy may also extend to the insulin ordered for management of the diabetes IGr 1 is bound to protein in the plasma and this enables its action to continue for hours unlike HGH which is short acting IGF 1 causes a lowering in the blood sugar levels and it is important that insulin is not used at the same time as this increases the risks involved Also it is important that there is an adequate intake of food nutrients to benefit from the use of IGF 1 The diet must be high in carbohydrate and contain sufficient protein for cellular reproduction A regular intake of a wide variety of foods is the best approach There is a degree of interaction between HGH insulin and 1GF 1 and when using any of these substances one must always take care that someone else is aware of it and knows the treatment for hypoglycaemia Clenbuterol Clenbuterol is a direct acting sympathomimetic agent and is used as a bronchodilator in the management of asthma and obstructive lung disease It has an advantage over salbutamol in that its action is longer lasting It has also been used to increase the development of muscle in cattle In humans it is effective in reducing body fat thus its attraction to the body building community The adverse effects are those of stimulation of
42. scess at the site of injection This may be superficial or deep the latter may take several days to develop Once there is a suspicion of an abscess formation medical help is needed immediately 26 ANABOLIC STEROIDS Anabolic steroids have also been known to have an effect on the immune system and some users have been known to complain of having more colds when using steroids The other source of infection comes from sharing injecting equipment This is one way HIV and Hepatitis are spread Women and Side Effects Anabolic steroids can produce unwelcome side effects in a female user and it is very important that the initial signs be recognized early The development of deepening of the voice is a sign of virilisation Once this has been detected the drug must be stopped to allow some degree of recovery The recovery may not be complete in all cases Any hoarseness that remains after 3 months is likely to be permanent Clitoral enlargement is not an obvious disability in the early stages and is often ignored for that reason Skin changes are obvious in many women Change in texture of the skin is the first abnormality seen The development of facial hair is of two types namely a fine downy hair over the face that will disappear on stopping the drug and a darker hair in the beard area This latter hair is likely to remain Irregularity of periods or at times a total cessation of them may be due to steroids As courses
43. se It goes without saying that the doctor should be told of the history of steroid use There is evidence of some athletes suffering a stroke when using steroids due to clot formation the opposite of bleeding The clotting mechanisms are very complex and these events are usually associated with large doses To date the research into this area has not fully explained the different results of steroids on the clotting mechanisms Similar events have been described in women using the contraceptive pill Hair Loss Balding is part of the genetic make up of many males In any male who has a predisposition to it the use of steroids may speed up the process It should be noted that a hair loss might occur in men who have never used a steroid Insomnia If it is difficult to sleep when using steroids the best approach is to cease the drug Using sleeping tablets will not cure the problem and may have a hangover like effect Tendon Damage Anabolic steroids strengthen muscle and not tendon and there is an increased likelihood of tendon rupture in the users The event is sudden and demands immediate attention The most common tendon affected is the biceps tendon and the tear may be partial or complete It is important that there be no further use of the arm until the problem has been fully evaluated by a doctor The other frequent site for muscle rupture is in the quadriceps group Young People Anabolic steroids have been reported to
44. should never be injected into a vein They should only ever be injected into a muscle The main sites for intramuscular injections are the upper outer quadrant of the buttock Gluteus maximus and the middle outer muscle of the thigh Vastus lateralis Since the pathway of the sciatic nerves is around the Gluteus maximus it is important to inject carefully in this area Hitting the sciatic nerves is very painful and can be very dangerous Injection sites should be rotated for successive injections to avoid too much damage in any one place Since steriods work throughout the body and not locally it is pointless to target particular muscle groups with injections SCIATIC NERVES ANABOLIC STEROIDS 49 Intramuscular Injections 50 ANABOLIC STEROIDS Intramuscular Injections Other Sites If it is not possible to inject into the thighs or buttocks the deltoids are the next best site for intramuscular injection will cause Great care should be taken Warm oil based solutions to body temperature inject slowly and then gently massage the area to help distribute the drug b The smaller the muscle the more pain and damage an injection ANABOLIC STEROIDS 51 Intramuscular Injections Pre injection a Get rid of any air bubbles in the syringe Flick the barrel to send them to the top of the syringe and then press the plunger until a drop appears at the tip of the needle If you use an alcohol swab on the injection site al
45. the sterile equipment for the injection on a clean and clear surface Remember no equipment whatsoever should be shared Before proceeding hands and the part of the body to be injected should be washed thoroughly with hot water and soap By piercing the skin with a needle the injector is opening the door for bacteria Keeping clean is vital to avoid infection Using a sterile alcohol swab will help but it is not a substitute for soap and water 48 ANABOLIC STEROIDS Intramuscular Injections Drawing Up From An Ampoule or Vial Before drawing up a solution it should be examined for any signs of contamination If there are any particles visible if the seal is broken or if the solution is discoloured it should not be used Allow solutions that have been refrigerated to reach room b temperature before injection blunt as it passes through the rubber seal on the top of a vial or if itis scraped against the inside of an ampoule If a blunt needle is used to inject it may damage the muscle and can cause pain The solution should be drawn up slowly and the used needle disposed of into a contaminated sharps box and replaced with a new one 5 When drawing up a solution into a syringe the needle may become Any air bubbles should be expelled by holding the syringe upwards and flicking the barrel The plunger is then pressed until a drop of the solution appears at the tip of the needle Where to Inject Anabolic steriods
46. the sympathetic nervous system These are a feeling of nervousness tremor of the hands palpitations headache insomnia and a rapid pulse rate In extreme cases there have been cases of acute poisoning with this drug If any of these symptoms develop the drug should be stopped immediately and medical advice sought ANABOLIC STEROIDS 31 Other Drugs Creatine Creatine is an essential step in the delivery of energy for muscle contraction It is a major factor in the conversion of ADP adenosine triphosphate into ATP adenosine di phosphate which is the source of energy for contraction of the muscle cell Creatine has been isolated and is available as a supplement for training It does not reduce the need to train at a high intensity but makes the contraction slightly faster and enables recovery to ensue more rapidly as there is more creatine to allow the conversion of ADP to ATP It is this reaction which makes creatine useful in training Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin HCG Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin is secreted by the pituitary gland and stimulates the formation of Luteinising Hormone LH LH stimulates the Leydig cells to form testosterone It is this action that is of interest to anabolic steroid users During a course of steroids there is inevitably some reduction in sperm 32 ANABOLIC STEROIDS numbers due to suppression of Follicle Stimulating Hormone The effects of the anabolic steroid upon the release of G
47. to prevent unnecessary adverse side effects the most consistent characteristic of these other drugs is the absence of scientific data to support their use 28 ANABOLIC STEROIDS Human Growth Hormone Human Growth Hormone GH is formed in the pituitary gland as a result of the stimulus of a hormone released from the hypothalamus Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone This is transported to the pituitary gland which then releases GH into the circulation There is another hormone Somatostatin released by the hypothalamus which reduces the amount of GH formed and these two hormones control the level of Gu in the circulation The hormone is produced on an intermittent basis and its levels in the circulation fluctuate during the day As it is not bound to protein once formed the cells must use it GH is now made commercially and produced by genetic engineering and has specific medical uses Previously it had been extracted from human cadavers but this has a risk of causing Crakob Jeutzfeld Disease a disease of the central nervous system The production of GH leads to the release of Somatomedin principally Insulin Like Growth Factor 1 1GF 1 from the liver and other tissues Illness psychological stresses and exercise can also affect GH formation A major action of GH is on glucose metabolism and sodium balance GH causes hyperinsulinaemia a high insulin level and impairs the ability of insulin to suppress the for
48. ure that the skin is kept clean and oily substances avoided The acne develops slowly and should be watched for by those who believe that they may be susceptible to the problem Once it shows signs of developing all steroids should be discontinued The acne should abate over a period of 3 to 4 weeks If this does not occur medical advice should be sought being sure to tell your physician that you have used steroids Some users develop a fine follicular rash over the trunk after some 3 or 4 weeks use of the drug This is not acne but a follicular dermatitis which should disappear when steroids are stopped Breasts Gynaecomastia is a condition in which the mammary glands or breasts enlarge and become sore and tender to touch It is due to the chemical change in testosterone brought about by a process called aromatisation when the male hormone is converted to a form of oestrogen the female sex hormone There is initially a sore feeling in the breast A skin ridge appears on the outer side of the areola together with a halo appearance around the area but no swelling As the course continues a swelling develops and it becomes tender Fatty tissue builds up around the area and the breast becomes prominent At times there may be a secretion of fluid from the nipple when it is squeezed Steroids should be stopped If recovery does not occur by the end of 2 months surgery should be considered Other causes of gynaecomastia that may ne
Download Pdf Manuals
Related Search