Serious Side Effects of Using Steroids

Anabolic steroids are simply synthetic versions of testosterone, the primary male hormone. In short, they're man-made versions of natural testosterone produced in a lab instead of the body. So if we're going to give somebody testosterone, all we're doing is giving them back what their body would normally be making. It's not giving them any more than that. But if you do take more than the physiologic dose, the results can be dramatic. And chemistry may be the key to pushing the muscle beyond its natural performance envelope.

For unknown reasons, when an athlete trains intensely, natural testosterone levels in the body drop precipitously, sometimes to that of a castrated man. The body also releases another hormone called glucocorticoids to reduce inflammation. But glucocorticoids have a second effect. They are catabolic, meaning they break down muscle tissue. It's a double whammy against the muscle, a drop in testosterone, and an increase in muscle-wasting hormone. It's speculated that steroids affect the hormone imbalance in two ways. First, they may replenish testosterone levels after a workout accelerating muscle repair. They may also block the muscle-wasting effects of glucocorticoids.

The result is a muscle that quickly gets bigger and stronger. Experts agree the abuse of steroids comes with several undesirable side effects. Men may experience a number of short-term cosmetic changes. They can include severe acne on the back, as well as on the face. Gynecomastia, the accumulation of fat under the nipples, causing the breasts to swell. And even testicular atrophy, the shrinking of the testicles to half their normal size. For women, the androgenic or masculinizing side effects are more pronounced, including male-patterned baldness, growth of facial hair, and even a permanent deepening of the voice.

The breasts may also shrink and the clitoris enlarge. Other side effects are debatable. One is a spike in aggression from steroid use, known as roid rage. Atlanta authorities are investigating the bizarre murder-suicide involving professional wrestler Chris Benoit and are asking if steroids could have bled apart. Animal and human studies show high doses of testosterone increase aggression. Professional bodybuilder Steve Mahalek was once Mr. USA. And Mr. America. And Mr. Universe. He was also a devout steroid user. Mahalek began using steroids in 1975 to prepare for the Mr. Universe competition.

He kept using them for 10 years. He believes steroids help buy something priceless, the pinnacle of bodybuilding. I used them a ton, but you know, whatever comes up must come crashing down eventually. Finally, I collapsed on the stage and went to the hospital and I had two grapefruit sized tumors on my liver. Mahalek embodied what many scientists believe. In the short term, steroids may build your body. But in the long run, you pay a price. On the outside, a steroid user might just look bigger, more masculine.

But on the inside, doctors believe this could happen. One type of oral steroid has been linked to tumors and cancers of the liver. Others have suffered a rare condition called peleosis hepatitis, where blood filled cysts form on the liver and can rupture causing internal bleeding. Some studies also suggest that tumors can form on the kidneys, decreasing function. As the body loses its ability to filter the blood, toxins build up, leading to fluid retention, increased blood pressure, and eventually kidney failure. But even more alarming is the effect of steroids on the heart.

Steroids can dramatically alter cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke. A catalog of life-threatening diseases. Steve Mahalek has had them all. Liver tumors, pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, a heart attack, a stroke, and the list goes on. All my organs were shutting down one by one. Piece by piece, and all my arteries were clogged. All seven in my heart had no blood going to my heart. The doctor opened me up, he said he saw more blood in a dead person than he saw in me being alive.

Steve has company. Spare the pain, spare the shame. Let's go. My group of champion bodybuilders, 70s, 80s bodybuilders, are now just starting getting bypass surgery, who's getting valve replacement surgery, who has liver problems, kidney problems, who died from heart attack. It's all happening. No one ever smoked. They didn't drink. Our diets were impeccable. We exercised as well as did aerobic cardiovascular work. We had to follow every natural rule in law to keep us healthy and alive. Except they all used steroids. That's the difference. There's that one variable. It's the only one variable amongst all of us.

But while Mahalek blames steroids, science has reservations. Pro wrestler Brian Pillman died at 35 of a heart attack. Wrestler Eddie Guerrero died at 38 from heart disease. And Davey Boy Smith was dead at 39. Three deaths in the last decade. All from heart disease. And all with a common suspect. For years, doctors have suspected a link between steroids and heart disease. Steroids lower the level of HDL cholesterol in the bloodstream. Also known as good cholesterol. Doctors believe HDL protects the cardiovascular system from heart disease. While steroid users may look perfectly healthy on the outside,

the inside can tell a different story. Steroids can also dramatically raise bad cholesterol or LDL. This can cause a hardening of the arteries and a significant buildup of plaque along the artery wall. As plaque clogs the artery, blood flow is restricted. If left unchecked, it can cause a heart attack. Likewise, if any plaque breaks off, it can lodge in smaller blood vessels. Causing a heart attack or stroke. And the damage can be done after only a few years of steroid use.