title: Anabolic steroids purchased on the Internet as a cause of prolonged hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report a case of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism due to the chronic abuse of anabolic steroids purchased over the Internet.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report.
  
  
  METHODS
  Endocrinology unit of the University of Brescia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 34-year-old man.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single dose (100 μg) of triptorelin (triptorelin test).
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical symptoms, androgen normalization, levels of serum testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Within 1 month, the patient's serum testosterone was in the normal range, and he reported a return to normal energy and libido.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The World Anti-Doping Code has proved to be a very powerful and effective tool in the harmonization of antidoping efforts worldwide, but it is insufficient to combat this illegal phenomenon. To tackle the serious side effects caused by doping we believe that it is necessary to increase monitoring and adopt severe sanctions, particularly with regard to Internet sites.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine and Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Ilenia
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pirola
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cappelli
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Delbarba
authors.forename: Tiziano
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Scalvini
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Agosti
authors.forename: Deodato
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Assanelli
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bonetti
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castellano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004300:Doping in Sports; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D013256:Steroids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications; D013997:Time Factors; D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D013256:Steroids; D017329:Triptorelin Pamoate