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Steroids - The Truth about Steroids

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Picture: National Institute of Drug Abuse

Why steroids are so powerful and so dangerous if abused

Steroids are natural substances with many different effects in the human body, which begin over several days. The primary use of steroids in health care is to reduce inflammation and other disease symptoms. Steroid inhalers have an important role in reducing deaths from asthma, local steroid injections are useful in treating painful joints and ligaments. Steroid creams are used extensively to treat eczema and other inflammatory skin conditions. Steroids make the whole immune system less active, which can be very useful in illnesses where there is an immune component - a huge number. Steroids are the ultimate anti-inflammatory drugs.

However steroid use in medicine is limited by very serious side effects in the body as a whole. That is why steroids tend to be used sparingly in local preparations such as sprays and creams, which ensure maximum steroid dose where it is needed, and minimum levels in the blood stream.

Steroid use in medicine and health care

Steroid skin creams for example cause thinning and weakness of the skin, while steroids also cause calcium to leak out of bones so that they weaken and fracture spontaneously. Steroids also make people feel very hungry and cause blood sugar to rise. People on steroids can gain weight and often develop a typical "moon face" as well as getting diabetes.

Another serious steroid problem is that we all need aggressive immune systems to fight infections and cancers, but steroids knock that out. People on high doses of steroids for medical reasons can die from chest infections and cancers of many kinds. We see these patterns in those who receive organ transplants, who need often need huge doses of steroids to stop the body from destroying the donated tissue. Cancers often develop, which shows us how important our white cells are in keeping us cancer-free, and how often all of us develop cancer in our daily lives. Most of us may have two or three tiny cancers inside us at any time. Taking high dose steroids makes it more likely one of these will develop rapidly.

People on high dose steroids are immune-deficient in every way so that many organisms that rarely cause problems can overgrow, totally upsetting the normal balance of mircobes in the body. An example is candida yeast which can grow rapidly in the mouth causing painful thrush.

Effects of steroids on brain and cancer

Steroids also affect the brain, and high doses can make people feel happy, euphoric, hyped-up, with disturbance of sleep and even serious psychiatric illness such as mania, very aggressive behavior and psychosis (delusions, pananoia, loss of touch with reality). If steroid users are also taking other drugs which affect mood or brain function, these side-effects can be far more common.

Steroids are really useful in the care of those with advanced cancer when short life expectancy from their condition means physicians are far more relaxed about long term side-effects.

Brain tumours often respond dramatically to steroids. The reason is that the brain is contained in a bony box inside the skull and pressure can build up inside the head, resulting in headaches, sickness, drowsiness and other problems. Brain scans often show that a tunour the size of a wallnut can be surrounded by a big immune reaction, with brain swelling and inflammation. Steroids reduce the additional swelling, often reversing symptoms and buying time - maybe a few weeks. The underlying cancer continues to grow and if the person finally begins to deteriorate death often follows rapidly as the steroid dose is reduced.

So steroids are really powerful, with wide ranges of actions, producing dramatic effects ranging from pain relief to mood elevation, and if it were not for the very serious side effects they would be used even more often.

The body becomes dependent on steroids and when used in health care, most physicians reduce dosage gradually, even though they may start in an acute illness with a very high dose.

Why do people abuse steroids?

So why on earth would anyone who is perfectly healthy want to take steroids? The reason is that one particular type, anabolic steroids, have another side effect which is to stimulate muscle growth. Sadly for the sports enthusiast, this effect only works well if steroid level in the body as a whole is quite high, and that guarantees problems with side effects.

Taking steroids won't increase muscle bulk without exercise but the normal response to exercise is exaggerated.

Often you will find underlying psychological reasons why people abuse steroids in muscle building. Some studies suggest up to 25% have been physically or sexually abused as children or attacked as adults and are highly motivated to make themselves powerful and resistant to future attack. Others have a body image problem similar to anorexia nervosa, so that they see a weak and feeble body in the mirror - muscle dysmorphia. In some, steroid abuse is just a part of a wider picture of risk-taking.

Anabolic and Androgenic steroids

Steroids can be divided into two types: anabolic and androgenic, but the distinction in some ways is artificial. Anabolic steroids mainly affect metabolism, immunity and muscle, while androgenic steroids have strong masculinisation effects on women and sometimes feminisation effects on men. But all anabolic steroids will increase masculine characteristics such as thick facial hair if the dose used is significant.

Steroid cycling is a regular pattern of steroid use and non-use by athletes or body builders, the aim being to get maximum action with minimum side-effects, often by using a wide variety of different steroid preparations at the same time (stacking), and perhaps to avoid detection by timing non-use to coincide with major competitions where steroids testing may be imposed.

Some steroid abuses use pyramidding - starting with low doses and building up over days or weeks to a peak dose and then tailing off.

Anabolic steroid side effects

Typical problems you will find in people who abuse anabolic steroids include liver tumors and cancer, jaundice (yellow skin from liver failure), retention of fluid, high blood pressure, heart attacks and strokes, increases in LDL (dangerous form of cholesterol), kidney cancer, acne and trembling.

Men may find their testes shrink, sperm count falls with increase of infertility, their hair falls out, breasts start to develop, and prostate cancer becomes more likely. More than half of body-builder sterod abusers will typically experience enlarged breasts and shrunken male organs.

Women can start looking like men: growing beards, going bald, voice breaking - while their menstrual cycle changes or stops, and the clitoris enlarges.

Steroid abuse is particularly risky for teenagers, because it forces the body rapidly to adulthood, bones stop growing - permanently - and they reach puberty early.

Adolescents--growth halted prematurely through premature skeletal maturation and accelerated puberty changes.

And of course, steroid injecting carries all the other risks associated with other injecting drug use, such as infection with HIV, and hepatitis B or hepatitis C.

How many people abuse steroids?

Some surveys suggest that 2.5% of high school pupils in the US will have taken illegal steroids at some time. This is particularly worrying considering the very high risks of steroid abuse in those under the age of 18.

 


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There are 44 comments
max
November 04, 2011 - 09:29
Subject: steroids and height

does steroid use increase height?

hairy butt
October 08, 2011 - 22:13
Subject:

hahahaha

Steve
September 20, 2011 - 15:59
Subject: really improved my life

Steroids really improve my quality of life. Whenever I take steroids, my physical AND MENTAL focus go through the roof. My confidence rises, my sex drive increases, and I feel almost bulletproof. To be honest, I am a much more capable person with steroids than without them.

Through my use of steroids of the years, I have noticed that people pay much more attention to me in positive regard - with job offers, physical attraction of others, sporting events, community events, and offers of friendship in general. The media is always hammering away at steroids so negatively that no one ever thinks about the positive aspects that can be gained through their use. Before I started using steroids I never had much drive in doing things and I was always the shy, timid guy. Steroids gave me the focus and drive I needed.

Don't abuse them and take proper precautions with regard to dosing and possible side effects. Everyone is different and there are many different types of steroids out there. Good luck friends!

Saloni jain
July 06, 2011 - 14:43
Subject: Side-effects of steroid

I am12 years old and i used to take steroid since when i was 6 years old.Does it can cause any side effects on my body?

eva carmichael
March 17, 2011 - 19:04
Subject: steroids

i have been having some problems with an underactive thyroid which has caused it to grow into a goiter in larged thyroid glad which is causeing loads of problems like pressure on my thick it beening swollen out and not bee able to sleep well due to goiter pressing on my windpipe i was at hospital today and have told they may have to start giving me steroids by month wht ever tht means but seeing all this has scred me alot and frackly puttin me right off but i need to do something i,ve only just turned 30

Reply to eva carmichael
jamie
July 06, 2011 - 08:41
Subject: Re: steroids

steriods that your doctor gives you are medically tested and have no side effect and if they do they will inform you about them and if they dont then you can sue for bg money.

Sailey
February 05, 2011 - 05:47
Subject: DONT TAKE STERIODS

eXCUSE ME WHY R U TAKIN STERIODS IT IS VERY BAD AND HAS VERY STRONG SIDE EFFECTS, IT IS OK TO USE IT IF IT IS A MEDICAL PURPOSE

WAKE UP,I AM 12 BUT I AM NOT STUPID I NO THE SIDE EFFECTS

nelson goins
January 31, 2011 - 13:02
Subject: my use of steroids

i have been using steroids for 2 years now and have seen massive improvements. although i have extreme rage all the time and my acne increased i do not regret taking them. :)

your mom
January 19, 2011 - 11:04
Subject: asfdasfd

DONT DO STERIODS!! YOU WILL DIE!!!

bob
December 06, 2010 - 09:00
Subject: yes

Steroids are good for the soul.

billy
November 22, 2010 - 12:44
Subject: roids

steroids are bad

VERNICE
November 12, 2010 - 11:39
Subject: STEROIDS

I AM READING SO MUCH AND MY HUSBAND STARTED INJECTING THESE THINGS IN HIM FOR A GOOD WHILE NOW WITHOUT A BREAK. HIS MUSCLES ARE GETTING BIG BUT SOMETHING ELSE SEEMS TO BE WRONG WITH HIM ALL THE TIME. HE HAS HEP-C ANTI BODIES BUT LEVELS UP TO NOW HAVE BEEN IN NORMAL RANGE DURING LIVER PANEL BLOOD TEST SCANS. HE HAS AVASCULAR NEUCROSIS WHICH IS A BONE DISORDER HE HAS BONES DYING (HIP) CAUSING EXCRUTIATING PAIN SOMETIMES HE GETS SO ILL NATURED AND SHORT. HE WENT AND THEY DID BLOOD WORK ON HIM A WHILE BACK AND WANTED HIM TO COME IN BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOT WRONG.....GOOD CHOLESTEROL DOWN AND BAD CHOLESTEROL WENT UP..........WHITE BLOOD COUNT HIGH WITH HEPATIC IRREGULARITIES. HE WON'T GO AND TALK TO THEM. HE IS DOING THESE STEROIDS ON HIS OWN WITHOUT DOCTORS SUPERVISION AND ON MANY PRESCRIPTION MEDS. I AM VERY WORRIED ABOUT THIS IT SEEMS LIKE ALL I READ ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS AND THE ORGANS ETC THEY AFFECT ARE AREAS MY HUSBAND IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH. I CAN'T SEEM TO MAKE HIM REALIZE THE DANGER INVOLVED IN THIS. I MEAN ANY MEDICATION OUT THERE THAT CAN DO A LOT OF GOOD ISN'T NECESSARILY GOOD FOR EVERYBODY. SIDE EFFECTS ARE PUT ON THE PAPERS YOU GET WITH YOUR PRESCRIPTION FOR YOUR SAFTEY RIGHT. YOUR BEST FRIEND THINKS IT IS THE BOMB AND THE BEST THING EVER AND YOU TAKE IT AND END UP IN THE HOSPITAL. I DON'T SEEM TO BE ABLE TO MAKE HIM UNDERSTAND ALL THIS GOING WRONG ISN'T SOME WEIRD COINICIDENCE. AM I JUST BEING PARANOID? HE GETS ANGRY TOO SOMETIMES AND I AM A BIT AFRAID OF HIM. IS THERE A PROGRAM OR MOVIE I CAN AQUIRE THAT IF HE WATCHES MIGHT OPEN HIS EYES. I DON'T WANT HIM TO HAVE SOMETHING GET WRONG AND CAN'T BE FIXED.

Kp
September 29, 2010 - 21:28
Subject:

Hi can anyone tell me if it is dangerous to take roids and not exercise. I have a friend that has been taking them for about 2 months and does not do any physical activity. Does the drug need to be worked out of the system ?

Reply to Kp
brittney
January 26, 2011 - 11:38
Subject:

Yes it dose need to be worked out of the system

rhod ybanez
August 28, 2010 - 21:03
Subject: use steroid with care

Comment:
The negative side effect is to be evaluated prior administration of drug (steroid), and in like manner with the correct supervision of medical Dr. Specialist. But I refuse or gross disagreement on the commercial statement that self medication is prohibited. On my part I use to study/learn the medical book and other source of info, on subject most needed for health care and most important is nutrition or body nutrients. A complete mineral and vitamins for human diet nothing illness to come in the human body. Now I know what western drug be prescribed to different illness for shelf medication. Now I am 72 years old still in a prime health, but prior at age 60 only to find out from my research gathered from different medical journals and others, that eating eggs, full crame milk, red meat, vegetable, are the human foods with complete nutrients. Thus, I follow religiously. If I need laboratory test that is the time I go to, to any DR. that can make a referral for laboratory testing. But I do not follow to buy all the drugs prescribed, but only I believed necessary to cure my Illness per blood test result . And by that I completely healed .
I am in duty to learn medicine because Medical Dr. in our place prescribed the most expensive drug when it can be healed by not expensive drugs. The basic example to mention drug for rhinitis allergy a simple Claritin, celestamine or prednisone steroid derivative whichever available, I am enough to be healed for 1 or 2 tablets (good to a night or 2 sleep), but DR. so many kinds, so prescribed the most expensive that cost you thousands of US dollar if you buy all. Also for arthritis so much pain reliever to prescribe when the clocosamine with chondroitine are the appropriate supplement to ease from recurrent ( I use this supplement since 5 years already, Dr may be know it but do not like to prescribe).
I started self medication since 2000, and do not believe that cholesterol is the cause of death of heart block. If all of us learn to know the important of nutrients, there will no more be groaning because of too much high in cost of medicine because illness can be minimised except on God’s well.

rhodybanez
August 28, 2010 - 03:24
Subject: To use Steroid with correct quantity knowledge

Comment:
The negative side effect is to be evaluated prior administration of drug (steroid), and in like manner with the correct supervision of medical Dr. Specialist. But I refuse or gross disagreement on the commercial statement that self medication is prohibited. On my part I use to study/learn the medical book and other source of info, on subject most needed for health care and most important is nutrition or body nutrients. A complete mineral and vitamins for human diet nothing illness to come in the human body. Now I know what western drug be prescribed to different illness for shelf medication. Now I am 72 years old still in a prime health, but prior at age 60 only to find out from my research gathered from different medical journals and others, that eating eggs, full crame milk, red meat, vegetable, are the human foods with complete nutrients. Thus, I follow religiously. If I need laboratory test that is the time I go to, to any DR. that can make a referral for laboratory testing. But I do not follow to buy all the drugs prescribed, but only I believed necessary to cure my Illness per blood test result . And by that I completely healed .
I am in duty to learn medicine because Medical Dr. in our place prescribed the most expensive drug when it can be healed by not expensive drugs. The basic example to mention drug for rhinitis allergy a simple Claritin, celestamine or prednisone steroid derivative whichever available, I am enough to be healed for 1 or 2 tablets (good to a night or 2 sleep), but DR. so many kinds, so prescribed the most expensive that cost you thousands of US dollar if you buy all. Also for arthritis so much pain reliever to prescribe when the clocosamine with chondroitine are the appropriate supplement to ease from recurrent ( I use this supplement since 5 years already, Dr does not know this).
I started self medication since 2000, and do not believe that cholesterol is the cause of death of heart block. If all of us learn to know the important of nutrients, there will no more be groaning because of too much high in cost of medicine because illness can be minimised except on God’s well.

rhodybanez
August 28, 2010 - 02:09
Subject: To use Steroid with correct quantity knowledge

Comment:
The negative side effect is to be evaluated prior administration of drug (steroid), and in like manner with the correct supervision of medical Dr. Specialist. But I refuse or gross disagreement on the commercial statement that self medication is prohibited. On my part I use to study/learn the medical book and other source of info, on subject most needed for health care and most important is nutrition or body nutrients. A complete mineral and vitamins for human diet nothing illness to come in the human body. Now I know what western drug be prescribed to different illness for shelf medication. Now I am 72 years old still in a prime health, but prior at age 60 only to find out from my research gathered from different medical journals and others, that eating eggs, full crame milk, red meat, vegetable, are the human foods with complete nutrients. Thus, I follow religiously. If I need laboratory test that is the time I go to, to any DR. that can make a referral for laboratory testing. But I do not follow to buy all the drugs prescribed, but only I believed necessary to cure my Illness per blood test result . And by that I completely healed .
I am in duty to learn medicine because Medical Dr. in our place prescribed the most expensive drug when it can be healed by not expensive drugs. The basic example to mention drug for rhinitis allergy a simple Claritin or celestamine I am enough to be healed for 1 or 2 tablets, but DR. so many kinds, so prescribed the most expensive that cost you thousands of hundred of US dollar if you buy all. Also arthritis so much pain reliever to prescribe when the clocosamine with chondroitine are the appropriate supplement to ease from recurrent ( I use this supplement since 5 years already, Dr does not know this).
I started self medication since 2000, and do not believe that cholesterol is the cause of death of heart block. If all of us learn to know the important of nutrients, there will no more be groaning because of too much high in cost of medicine because illness can be minimised except on God’s well.

nwodaddy
August 05, 2010 - 07:47
Subject: To use Steroids or To Not use Steroids

So I watched the Documentary "Bigger, Stronger, Faster*" and it made me look at steroids in a different way. I am 33 years old and struggle with my weight a lot. I get tired of my family telling me to loose weight.....I am Healthy for my size, I walk everyday, I do my gym excerises, but I don't loose weight, I am stronger and feel better than I did when I first started, but my weight is still the same, don't gain any, don't loose any.

I am seriously concidering taking steroids to help me with my physic. I have been all over the net looking for the pro's and con's to why I should and shouldn't take steroids. So far from everything I have read, I am leaning to the pro side of doing steroids. Here is why: true that the side affects of using steroids are low sperm count, "bitch tits", acne, extra body hair (which confuses me to how you can be going bald, yet grow hair.....that seems to happen even with out steroids), etc., but those side affects for men are only tempary, as long as your on steroids this things will happen, but once you stop taking steroids, these affects are reverseable. As far as women and teenagers, the side affects are permanit.

There are no real studies as far as the long term affects of steroid use. From what I have been reading, people who seem to use steroids also use other drugs, so can it be argued that steroids are a gateway drug.......does sound like it to me. Also from what I have read, steroids will increase the rate of growth in cancers and other diseases. You can throw names out there to argue that steroids will kill you and there are side affects from steroids; names like Chris Benoit, or Lyle Alzado. Chris Benoit would Head butt a person from the top rope of the ring. that is about 4 feet of the bottom of the ring, add to that his height, about 6'1"......head butting from about 10 feet of the ground everyone knows that that will cause some damage, that right there is just common sense.....so did steroids cause the concusions, or did they just speed up the developement of his mental break down???? Lyle Alzado admitted to having used steroids in his hay day. If he hadn't used steroids, would he have developed cancer??? Only God knows. Did Steroids speed up the cancer growth, I personally think that they did, but I am just a guy researching the pro's and con's on steroid use, not a doctor.

So are the risks for me worth it???? So far I feel that the answer is YES. However, I am still keeping my option to Not Use Steroids. So If there is anything that you can present, any study that shows what the long term side affects are, I would be more than Happy to look it over. Honestly, I have not yet found a study on the Internet saying that Steroids will kill you, that Steroids cause diseases, that Steroids are are dangerous on a long run.

thank you

Reply to nwodaddy
AreYouStupid?
May 31, 2011 - 16:08
Subject: Re: To use Steroids or To Not use Steroids

Seriously dude - you obviously need help. Your post makes me think you are either a kid or someone who is mentally challenged. Clearly you need medical intervention or to finish school at a minimum.

Michael
July 28, 2010 - 05:14
Subject: Bollocks

A poorly researched and badly written article. The connection between steroid use and child abuse was laughable. You want the real reason why people take steroids? Look at Men's Health Magazine, or any Hollywood action movie, or competitive sports. All filled with men and women who have taken STEROIDS. Do you think Arnold Schwarzenegger got his physique from eating sauerkraut? Or Sly Stallone from eating his mom's spaghetti?

People take steroids because they want to emulate their heroes and have the body of Adonis. Plain and simple. Furthermore, yes steroids can give you gynocomastia and other health defects. The fact is that most steroid users are well aware of these risks and take drugs to combat them.

Your comment "More than half of body-builder sterod abusers will typically experience enlarged breasts and shrunken male organs" was not referenced to any research or poll. People who take steroids without
a) doing their research and
b) taking the appropriate medicine to counteract gyno, estrogen etc eg: nolvadex, arimidex, clomid

..are idiots. Steroids CAN be taken with minimal side effects and risks if the user informs his or herself and is sensible.

steve
July 27, 2010 - 11:24
Subject: steriod use

Where are the reports to back this article up? There has benn no research done on steriod use so how can this jerk make those comments? Steriods are use to help fight HIV and MD..... Maybe someone should push to have an actual study done so we can prove if these statements are true or not???

Johnny Research
July 07, 2010 - 16:50
Subject: abuse

You people have a very very bad defintion of abuse.Abuse would be taking ANY drug much much longer than whats good for you.Taking a drug non-stop until it causes obvious problems is abuse. Taking roids without a dr. telling you to take it does not mean you are abusing them right from the first pill or injection as you make it sound.Thats nonsense.

Reply to Johnny Research
AreYouInsane?
May 31, 2011 - 16:11
Subject: Re: abuse

If you are taking meds illegally for any reason you are abusing the drug.

pam
November 17, 2008 - 03:46
Subject: question

I have gained a lot of weight in one year is there any steriods that can help me lose weight faster while im working out in the gym.

Reply to pam
Jay
June 05, 2010 - 21:24
Subject: Re: question

Firstly this is a horrible place to ask that question, secondly if you actually did your research you would know how to cut, looks to me you don't know shit about AAS and in that case you can stop thinking about trying any cycle at all no offense. If you want to lose that water weight then change your diet and supplements, if you need help with a diet plan you can ask around in some Bodybuilding forums I am sure people would to happy to help out a fellow Gym rat. And you shouldn't even try a cycle until you have plateaued.

Reply to pam
Steven
July 01, 2010 - 11:32
Subject: Steroid question

Hi there, I just read your post asking if steroids can help you lose weight. The answer is yes. I am particularly refering to a steroid called winstrol and another called anavar. Both winstrol and anavar are "cutting roids" meaning the shed fat and water giving you a very lean hard look. Anavar is know to be one of the safest roids out there. It is a very mild drug. If you have anymore questions just feel free to ask me. Bye.

Steven.

Reply to pam
cman
September 02, 2010 - 11:02
Subject: Re: question

Only if u want to die of cancer and maybe next time don't eat so many twinky's.

shiva
October 23, 2008 - 22:49
Subject: steroids

she use to take steroids at the time of pregnency according to the doctors prescription. She got delivery before 2 months now her Creatinine level is high its 2.13 and the doctor has done biopsy of kidney And reports states that One core with 9 glomeruli. All the glomeruli show mesangial Hypercellularity with mild neutrophilic exudation and matrix expansion. There is no Evidence of basement Membrance Thickening or crescents. Interstitium Shows Diffuse Dense Mixed Inflammation Along with focal Fibrosis and patchy Tubular atrophy and now they are giving the steroids will this cause any problem

B. bobo
September 26, 2008 - 16:02
Subject: Elevated liver enzymes from topical steroid cream?

'My latest liver enzymes were elevated AST-113 ALT-88. I use a LOT of topical steroid cream for mod/severe psoriasis. Can this affect my liver?'

kayla
September 24, 2008 - 20:29
Subject: thanks!

I'm doing an addictive drug project and this site is incredibly helpful!

sean
September 23, 2008 - 06:43
Subject: steroids

i bn using steroids for 4 years and my opinon is they are addictive...... 1st of id cycle but i got to a point were i couldnt handle the wait loss so now im always on them they are very powerful drugs dangerous i do not now bu boy they work id advise to study them before you try

Reply to sean
Navi
July 29, 2010 - 13:57
Subject: Re: steroids

Can u time table my wrisiling

John
September 03, 2008 - 04:31
Subject: "abuse"

Hmmm. Very interesting.

I certainly do not profess any expertise on the subject of steroids and neither advocate nor condemn their use by athletes or anyone else. That said, I do find a couple things about your piece a bit disturbing and dubious.

You speak of "abuse" and then in response to a question define "abuse" as any use not prescribed for a medical condition. This is specious, I believe, given that your article talks of all those terrifying side effects being a result of "abuse".

I could understand if you ascribed side effects to "misuse" - i.e. prolonged, unregulated, or otherwise careless use - but as worded your article implies that any non-medical use risks catastrophe.

You are free to believe that and to state it, of course, but I am always more than a tad skeptical when sweeping declarations of this sort are not accompanied by references and citations allowing readers to check the science themselves. Lacking such references, such statements smack of (unfounded) personal opinion.

If the "typical" side effects you describe are indeed "typical" when steroids are "abused" (used other than pursuant to a prescription), why is this not manifested in hundreds of prematurely balding Major League baseball players, male Olympic swimmers and sprinters with boobs, etc etc etc.?

Have people died, lost hair, or destroyed livers as a result of steroid us? Probably. Just as people have died, lost hair, and destroyed livers as a result of alcohol use. And just as people have died from taking aspirin. These facts tell us nothing of value, absent scientific study documenting circumstances and details such as amounts, purity of product, dosages, frequency of use, longevity of use and so forth.

I truly don't wish to be critical but, frankly, your piece reads more like hysteria than informed fact.

John

Reply to John
Dave
May 19, 2010 - 00:21
Subject: Re: "abuse"

I agree with you 100%, the whole post that was written above, looks to be written by someone who has watched to much TV. Fact is there is not one proven case where anyone has ever died from using anabolic steroids...not ONE. People are going to say Lyle Alzado LOL!... well his doctors even said there was no link to his brain cancer, and steroid use. Even if his case was true that is 1 person, when people are dying every day in the rate of 1000's from alcohol and tabaco.

Daniel
September 01, 2008 - 05:54
Subject:

Hi, A very interesting article on the negatives of steroid abuse. What would be helpfull is if you could highlight what actually defines "abuse". Is it the use of steroids without medical advice or is there a limit that if taken over would be classed as abuse. I have just started a course of Dianabol and am looking forward to the positive effects of muscle growth accelaration in the gym. I am aware of the possible side effects but as with all illegal substances these are over hyped in the media and as such not as risky as they are made out.
If possible it would be good to have the positives of taking steroids and why this is so prevalent in sport supported by the government. There are purposefully not enough drug tests out there to enable athletes to improve and compete at the level they do after all, everyone loves to see records broken in the olympics and without the use of steroids this would not be possible to the extent that has been recorded to date. MAny thanks for your time I look forward to your response.

Reply to Daniel
Patrick Dixon
September 02, 2008 - 16:33
Subject: Steroid abuse

Most people would term steroid abuse as use of steroids which are not prescribed for a medical condition, but just as performance enhancers. Steroids have major side effects and taking them when you do not need to can be dangerous.

Sports regulators are doing all they can to ensure a "level playing field" so no one has an unfair advantage through rigourous testing though it does not pick up everything.

Samhag
August 30, 2008 - 19:48
Subject: How long do they stay in the system?

How long do steroids stay in the system? A local group of high school ball players need to be tested and I don't know what the window is. Anyone out there have info?

Reply to Samhag
Patrick Dixon
September 02, 2008 - 16:38
Subject: Steroid testing

I do not have info on this.... but testing is getting more and more sensitive. If you are even thinking about it. DOn't use them!

Brandon Desrochers
August 05, 2008 - 11:34
Subject: 16 years old

im really skinny and I just want to grow some wait!
I workout alot and I eat alot but I cant seem to grow!
would steroids kill me if I take it at my age?

Reply to Brandon Desrochers
Patrick Dixon
August 06, 2008 - 03:12
Subject: Dont do it

Dangerous - do not even think about it. Patrick

Reply to Brandon Desrochers
Erik
August 09, 2008 - 03:28
Subject: Don't

You have a fast metabolism it sounds like. Steroids are a bad idea though. You should go see the doctor about putting on some weight!

Reply to Brandon Desrochers
todd
November 10, 2008 - 16:05
Subject: Re: 16 years old

dont not use them..you are still growing and you still have HGH in your system..i wouldnt recommend using them until you are full grown if at all. 16 is way way to young to be using..start with simple supplements like vit- b12 and weight gainer shakes...it helps

Reply to Brandon Desrochers
Andi
July 22, 2010 - 02:39
Subject: Re: 16 years old

They wont do alot for you if your skinny, you only see real results from when you are as big as you can get naturally and it seems your a long long way from that!!! I used to take them 8 weeks on then 8 weeks off, I was only about 145 lbs to start with, they didnt do that much because I wasnt big enough to start with. The only real things I had to show for it were phsycosis and paranoia. I suggest you eat 6 meals a day, maybe replace a couple a day with weight gain drinks because it can be hard to eat so much, dont leave it more than 3 hours between your meals, use the amount of weight that you can do more than 4 reps, if you can do more than 8 reps add a bit more weight. Think about taking creatine, non steroid, you should put on a few pounds in the first week or 2.
You will put on weight its that just some people are hard gainers, which means you have to work that extra bit harder and most importantly EAT MORE
Hope Iv been some help, leave them alone.

Reply to Patrick Dixon
Joe Mama
May 24, 2011 - 13:07
Subject: New results

New tests show that steroids do not cause cancer and can reverse the effects of alcohol abuse.

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