title: Blood chemistry of current and previous anabolic steroid users.
abstract: While the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids appears to be increasing, little is known about the long-term effects of these drugs. This study compared selected blood profiles of current and former steroid-using athletes to expected values for non-drug-using populations. The results are consistent with previous research findings that steroids can have acute negative effects on liver function, lipoprotein fractions, and testosterone production. The results suggest that side effects vary widely among individuals and are drug and dose dependent. Normal function appears to return after drug use is discontinued. These data emphasize the difficulty physicians have interpreting clinical tests when dealing with those who use or have used anabolic steroids. Clearly more research is needed regarding the effects of these drugs.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army Physical Fitness School, Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN 46216-5690.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.forename: F D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Baldini
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Skinner
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Einstein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014891:Weight Lifting
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D013739:Testosterone; D002784:Cholesterol; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase