It is clear that society sends a strong message to refrain from using steroids due to their numerous side effects. The serious media discussion and compromise of these substances also play a significant role due to their abuse in sports. Are steroids really safe? Anyone using steroids in the last 50 years will point out that they have a relatively reliable safety profile. Opponents, on the other hand, will argue that steroid use is illegal outside medical purposes and poses risks far greater for those who use them compared to their application for clinical purposes. Who is right? Does an isolated steroid cycle really pose a serious health risk? Unfortunately, there are very few medically supported studies that could support the positive side of this debate. This article will examine three medical studies that address the safety of anabolic steroids. They relate to therapeutic doses and have a comprehensive set of health markers.
600 mg/week testosterone
The first study was published in an American journal of endocrinology and metabolism in July 2001. It examines the effects of different doses of testosterone enanthate on body composition, muscle size, strength, sexual and cognitive functions, as well as various health markers. The study involved healthy men aged 18-35. They were divided into 5 groups, each receiving respectively 25, 50, 125, 300, or 600 milligrams of steroid for a period of 20 weeks. This period was preceded by a period of control measurements for 4 weeks and followed by a recovery period of 16 weeks. The markers of acquired muscle mass and strength are highest at the highest testosterone doses (600 mg). Insignificant changes in specific antigen prostate, liver enzymes, sexual activity, or cognitive functioning were reported at each dose. The only negative aspect noted is the slight decrease in HDL (good) cholesterol levels in all groups except those taking 25 mg. The worst result in this regard is shown by the 600 mg group.
600 mg/week nandrolone
The next study was conducted on HIV-positive men, which classifies the effects of nandrolone decanoate on muscle mass building. 30 people participated in this study, divided into two groups – one subjected to strength training during the intake, and the other without training. The dosing schedule started with 200 mg in the first week, 400 mg in the second, and 600 mg for the remaining 10 weeks. The doses were slowly reduced in weeks 13 to 16 so that patients could gradually withdraw from the drug. Potential negative metabolic changes were carefully examined, including cholesterol and lipid levels (including HDL and LDL fractions), triglycerides, insulin sensitivity, and fasting glucose levels. Even with the highest doses, no negative changes were observed in total or LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, or insulin sensitivity. In fact, the strength-trained group showed significant improvements in the distribution of LDL particle size, lipoprotein, triglyceride levels, and values indicating improved risk of cardiovascular disease. Carbohydrate metabolism was significantly improved in this group. The only negative impact noted during this study is a decrease in HDL cholesterol values (decreased by 8-10 points between the two groups).
100 mg/day Anadrol
Last but not least is a study with the powerful oral steroid oxymetholone (Anadrol). This steroid is considered by bodybuilders to be one of the most dangerous. It is not uncommon for many athletes to abuse the doses of this steroid, which is why it is a good sample for such a study. This study included 31 adult men, aged 65 to 80, divided into 3 groups, respectively receiving 50 mg, 100 mg, or placebo daily for a period of 12 weeks. Changes in muscle mass and strength were measured, as well as general safety markers, including total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol levels, fasting triglycerides, PSA (prostate-specific antigen), and liver enzymes. The results in muscle mass and strength gain are again similar to those in the testosterone study. There were no significant changes in PSA, total and LDL cholesterol, or fasting triglycerides. However, there was a significant decrease in HDL cholesterol values (decreased by 19 and 23 points for the 50 mg and 100 mg groups). Liver enzymes (AST and ALT transaminases) increased only in the 100 mg group, but the changes were not dramatic and were not accompanied by the development of serious liver disease.
Summary
121 individuals participated in these three studies, using moderate to high doses of steroids for a period of 5 months. Although this may be shocking to most opponents of anabolic steroid use, the assessment of metabolic changes and health risks does not reveal significant hazards. The main negative impact of steroid use in all three cases is the reduction in levels of good cholesterol (HDL), which is a legitimate concern when assessing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. However, it is not clear whether a short-term increase in this specific risk factor relates to long-term health consequences. It is also known how much this can be compensated for by other positive metabolic changes observed with the combined use of steroids with physical exercise. It is extremely difficult to argue that an isolated cycle with a moderate dose of steroids can be Russian roulette in the body.