Steroids are a type of hormone produced by the body to promote growth and development. Anabolic steroids are artificial hormone derivatives of the male hormone, testosterone. Testosterone is the most powerful androgen. It promotes the development of masculine traits such as the deepening of the voice, growth of body hair and an increase in muscle growth. Artificial hormones such as testosterone can cause permanent damage to the body depending on the individual and the extent of use.
Inhibition of Natural Hormones
According to Medscape, the inhibition of natural hormones, primarily testosterone, is the most common side effect of using anabolic steroids. This is a result of the body's regulatory and homeostatic system. The intake of an anabolic hormone causes the endocrine system to shut down the production of testosterone in order to avoid excess amounts of circulating hormones. The longer an individual takes artificial hormones, the more the body decreases its production of testosterone hormones until, eventually, the body becomes reliant on anabolic hormones. This reliance on anabolic hormones further diminishes the body's ability to produce hormones such as testosterone.
Liver Damage
The liver functions as the body's filtration system. Thus, it processes steroids and any other chemicals used by the body. Anabolic steroids, specifically oral steroids, can cause significant damage to the liver, notes the Encyclopedia of Sports Medicine and Science. Oral steroids damage liver cells as they attempt to break down the substance, thereby damaging the structure of the liver and decreasing its ability to rid the body of wastes. Liver damage is measured by serum levels of liver enzymes and chemicals such as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase. Steroid users were found to have elevated amounts of these enzymes in their bloodstream thus indicating liver damage. Furthermore, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, anabolic steroids have been linked to benign, hepatic tumors, hepatic carcinoma in some cases and peliosis hepatis, a condition in which blood filled cysts form in the liver.
Cholesterol
Anabolic steroids affect the cardiovascular system and serum lipid levels. According to the MayoClinic.com, anabolic steroids decrease serum levels high density lipid cholesterol and increase low density lipid cholesterol. High density lipoprotein cholesterols, also known as good cholesterol, is decreased by the intake of anabolic steroids. These high density lipoprotein cholesterols prevent artery clogging by transferring extra cholesterol to the liver where it processed and broken down into waste products that are then excreted. Low density lipoproteins, also known as the bad cholesterol, deposit cholesterol in arterial walls and is increased by anabolic steroids. This increase in LDL cholesterol can adversely affect the heart in addition to causing heart attacks or strokes.
