Mission Compromised? Drug-Induced Liver Injury From Prohormone Supplements Containing Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids in Two Deployed U.S. Service Members.
Supplement adulteration with anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) has been reported and AAS-associated drug-induced liver injury is clinically variable.



We present two cases of AAS-associated drug-induced liver injury in deployed service members, including the first report of clinical hepatotoxicity with desoxymethyltestosterone. We highlight variable hepatotoxicity patterns of AAS, raise concern with inaccurate supplement labeling and identify educational resources.



The first case presents with cholestatic jaundice following 10 weeks of prohormone use. Hepatobiliary imaging was unrevealing. Viral, autoimmune, and metabolic etiologies were excluded. Bilirubin normalized by 8 weeks after stopping the supplement. The second case presents with asymptomatic hepatocellular toxicity and marked dyslipidemia identified on service-related physical following 21 days of prohormone use. Aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase normalized 4 weeks after supplement cessation; high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein returned to baseline at 8 weeks. Each supplement was volunteered for analytic testing.



Supplement label contents did not match gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis; 3 of 4 supplements contained federally regulated AAS.



AAS hepatotoxicity is clinically variable and dyslipidemia may be an important clinical indicator. False labeling introduces clinical risk and threatens mission readiness. Educational resources are available to facilitate information sharing. Supplement analysis informs of clinical risk of specific supplements and facilitates shared clinical decision-making.
Department of Medicine, Division of Military Internal Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.
Charles D
CD
Magee
Robinson Health Clinic, 1722 Tagayta Drive, Fort Bragg, NC 28310.
Stephen
S
Witte
Department of Gastroenterology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20889.
Ryan M
RM
Kwok
Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.
Patricia A
PA
Deuster
D000328:Adult; D000737:Androstenols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000209:etiology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007565:Jaundice / Q000209:etiology; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology
D000737:Androstenols; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; C500374:17-methylandrost-2-en-17-ol