oral steroids and liver toxicity - overstated?? Evidence based statement

[replica1]

Through time on these boards - a great number of discussions and a lot of fear has centered around the alledged liver toxicity of oral steroids. This study concludes that the liver toxicity might have been overstated:

Anabolic steroid-induced hepatotoxicity: is it overstated?

Dickerman RD, Pertusi RM, Zachariah NY, Dufour DR, McConathy WJ.


Source

The Department of Biomedical Science, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth 76107-2699, USA.


Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

There have been numerous reports of hepatic dysfunction secondary to anabolic steroid use based on elevated levels of serum aminotransferases. This study was conducted to distinguish between serum aminotransaminase elevations secondary to intense resistance training and anabolic steroid-induced hepatotoxicity in elite bodybuilders.

DESIGN:

This was a case-control study of serum chemistry profiles from bodybuilders using and not using anabolic steroids with comparisons to a cohort of medical students and patients with hepatitis.

PARTICIPANTS:

The participants were bodybuilders taking self-directed regimens of anabolic steroids (n = 15) and bodybuilders not taking steroids (n = 10). Blood chemistry profiles from patients with viral hepatitis (n = 49) and exercising and nonexercising medical students (592) were used as controls.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

The focus in blood chemistry profiles was aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT), and creatine kinase (CK) levels.

RESULTS:

In both groups of bodybuilders, CK, AST, and ALT were elevated, whereas GGT remained in the normal range. In contrast, patients with hepatitis had elevations of all three enzymes: ALT, AST, and GGT. Creatine kinase (CK) was elevated in all exercising groups. Patients with hepatitis were the only group in which a correlation was found between aminotransferases and GGT.

CONCLUSION:

Prior reports of anabolic steroid-induced hepatotoxicity based on elevated aminotransferase levels may have been overstated, because no exercising subjects, including steroid users, demonstrated hepatic dysfunction based on GGT levels. Such reports may have misled the medical community to emphasize steroid-induced hepatotoxicity when interpreting elevated aminotransferase levels and disregard muscle damage. For these reasons, when evaluating hepatic function in cases of anabolic steroid therapy or abuse, CK and GGT levels should be considered in addition to ALT and AST levels as essential elements of the assessment.

 

[Rosco FleX]

I personally disagree. I can notice the stress that Methylated orals put on my liver. I remember a long time ago I drank 3-4 beers while taking a Methylated PH called Mass Construction and woke up the next morning with a hangover feeling. Wasn't drunk, buzzed or anything that night.

 

[Sir Anabolic]

I personally disagree. I can notice the stress that Methylated orals put on my liver. I remember a long time ago I drank 3-4 beers while taking a Methylated PH called Mass Construction and woke up the next morning with a hangover feeling. Wasn't drunk, buzzed or anything that night.

Case by case basis. Individual dependent. I've been doing some hard stuff with orals, feel great, blood work good.

 

[MattPorter]

Goes to show everyone has a different constitution and ability to accept or reject drugs....

I much rather AVOID methyls at all costs due to liver health and appetite problems.

Pre-contest I feel they are quite essential final 4 weeks.....off-season I rather not bother.

I just know the new age designer steroid guys have over used lots of these compounds due to recent legality and open availability

However -- looks like they will be booting oils or using safer non methyls like Androsterone, 17-beta-adrenosterone, and DHEAS.....

-Matt

 

[Rosco FleX]

I love methlys. Just wont drink with them again.

 

[Moppy1]

I mostly agree with replica1 and that is based on my own blood work over 7+ years. I have almost always supplemented with one or more PH that are methylated, while on TRT. Have also done tons of androl and never once gotten a significant increase in any of the 4 major liver enzymes. But I dont drink that regularly and I do tons of cardio (7 days a week). If you do lots of blood work (3x a year), I would say to have at the methylated orals.

 

[noway55]

It's definitely individual. Although people realize that orals are generally bad, I think a lot of people aren't aware that most prescription/OTC pills aren't good for the liver either. Hell, even if you're just taking an oral antibiotic that can put stress on your liver.

 

[Moppy1]

It's definitely individual. Although people realize that orals are generally bad, I think a lot of people aren't aware that most prescription/OTC pills aren't good for the liver either. Hell, even if you're just taking an oral antibiotic that can put stress on your liver.

Tylenol with alcohol is perhaps the worst thing anyone can do their liver. Way worse than methylated-orals. Huge damage if the dosage of tylenol is too strong (1500-1000mg)

 

[ryansm]

Tylenol with alcohol is perhaps the worst thing anyone can do their liver. Way worse than methylated-orals. Huge damage if the dosage of tylenol is too strong (1500-1000mg)

You could say the same with someone ignorant enough to dose a strong oral like M1T or SD at 50+ mgs and binge drinking

 

[ryansm]

Through time on these boards - a great number of discussions and a lot of fear has centered around the alledged liver toxicity of oral steroids. This study concludes that the liver toxicity might have been overstated:

Anabolic steroid-induced hepatotoxicity: is it overstated?

Dickerman RD, Pertusi RM, Zachariah NY, Dufour DR, McConathy WJ.


Source

The Department of Biomedical Science, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth 76107-2699, USA.


Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

There have been numerous reports of hepatic dysfunction secondary to anabolic steroid use based on elevated levels of serum aminotransferases. This study was conducted to distinguish between serum aminotransaminase elevations secondary to intense resistance training and anabolic steroid-induced hepatotoxicity in elite bodybuilders.

DESIGN:

This was a case-control study of serum chemistry profiles from bodybuilders using and not using anabolic steroids with comparisons to a cohort of medical students and patients with hepatitis.

PARTICIPANTS:

The participants were bodybuilders taking self-directed regimens of anabolic steroids (n = 15) and bodybuilders not taking steroids (n = 10). Blood chemistry profiles from patients with viral hepatitis (n = 49) and exercising and nonexercising medical students (592) were used as controls.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

The focus in blood chemistry profiles was aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT), and creatine kinase (CK) levels.

RESULTS:

In both groups of bodybuilders, CK, AST, and ALT were elevated, whereas GGT remained in the normal range. In contrast, patients with hepatitis had elevations of all three enzymes: ALT, AST, and GGT. Creatine kinase (CK) was elevated in all exercising groups. Patients with hepatitis were the only group in which a correlation was found between aminotransferases and GGT.

CONCLUSION:

Prior reports of anabolic steroid-induced hepatotoxicity based on elevated aminotransferase levels may have been overstated, because no exercising subjects, including steroid users, demonstrated hepatic dysfunction based on GGT levels. Such reports may have misled the medical community to emphasize steroid-induced hepatotoxicity when interpreting elevated aminotransferase levels and disregard muscle damage. For these reasons, when evaluating hepatic function in cases of anabolic steroid therapy or abuse, CK and GGT levels should be considered in addition to ALT and AST levels as essential elements of the assessment.

There are documented cases of SD causing liver damage, which does not demonstrate an overstatement

We cannot forget about the negative effects on lipids and cardiovascular function either

 

[HereToStudy]

You could say the same with someone ignorant enough to dose a strong oral like M1T or SD at 50+ mgs and binge drinking

I never really understood the point of denying liver toxicity. Sure, it is a risk many are willing to take, but denying that it should be treated with caution just never made sense to me.

 

[replica1]

I never really understood the point of denying liver toxicity. Sure, it is a risk many are willing to take, but denying that it should be treated with caution just never made sense to me.[/QUOT

Its not like were denying Holocaust here. Ive presented you for scientific proof that orals is not liver toxic. Id like you to relate to the scientific proof instead of saying that I advise people not to be cautious.

I never really understood the point of denying scientific proof.

 

[manu1433]

It's definitely individual. Although people realize that orals are generally bad, I think a lot of people aren't aware that most prescription/OTC pills aren't good for the liver either. Hell, even if you're just taking an oral antibiotic that can put stress on your liver.

truth....enough tylenol can shut down your liver....

but i'm sure dbol and superdrol is a tad more hepatoxic than that haha

 

[HereToStudy]

Its not like were denying Holocaust here. Ive presented you for scientific proof that orals is not liver toxic. Id like you to relate to the scientific proof instead of saying that I advise people not to be cautious.

I never really understood the point of denying scientific proof.

Feel free to provide the full study, since that abstract states absolutely nothing. They were running steroids. No where does it state oral or injectable. No where does it state anavar or superdrol.

Oh, but here you go: Prolonged intrahepatic cholestasis and ... [J Clin Gastroenterol. 2009] - PubMed - NCBI

 

[DinoRamada]

where does this study mention orals? i don't see it. it just says anabolic steroids... that could mean anything.

 

[DinoRamada]

56,000 people a year get liver damage from acetaminophen in the US alone. by far the leading cause of liver damage. just watch your bloodwork and you will be fine.

 

[SquadLeader]

I think liver toxicity and steroids is an overrated subject. Steroids do elevate liver values so do other things, supplements, certain types of food especially food at a lesser quality. You have to drink water and supplement yourself properly.

 

[ryansm]

I never really understood the point of denying liver toxicity. Sure, it is a risk many are willing to take, but denying that it should be treated with caution just never made sense to me.[/QUOT

Its not like were denying Holocaust here. Ive presented you for scientific proof that orals is not liver toxic. Id like you to relate to the scientific proof instead of saying that I advise people not to be cautious.

I never really understood the point of denying scientific proof.

There is actually quite a bit of scientific proof on oral steroids (17aa)

 

[HereToStudy]

There is actually quite a bit of scientific proof on oral steroids (17aa)

Yep, and why be cheap on health. Even if it is only a marginal improvement, it can do wonders in the long run. I run every cycle with Liver Juice and UDCA.

 

[bigherm2121]

Yes this article is a waste does not show shit bro sorry. They could've used Anavar (var) for all we know which is not very liver toxic. There's no date on it either. This is just a bad article to show kids on here. To say oral steroids are not liver toxic is just non sense. Do a study on yourself banging out some dbol only for four weeks at a high dose. See how your liver enzymes are doing.