Effects of Nandrolone

Nandrolone is an injection anabolic steroid which can raise the level of the male sex hormone, testosterone. Different formulations of anabolic steroids have different effects on the body, ranging from strength building, inducing appetite, increasing red blood cell production and other conditions that arise from having low levels of testosterone. Nandrolone was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1959 and has been studied extensively in clinical trials and post marketing research. Nandrolone is effective at treating several conditions, although it can cause several side effects ranging from mild to serious depending on dose.

Positive Effects

Nandrolone is a beneficial drug for several conditions. According to Drugs.com, nandrolone deconate is indicated for the treatment of anemia, due to kidney impairment. Nandrolone has been shown to increase red cell mass and hemoglobin. In the February 2006 issue of "HIV Medicine," Dr. Julian Gold and associates found that patients with HIV were able to significantly gain more weight and fat-free mass with nandrolone compared to placebo. In addition, in the April 2010 issue of "The Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences," Dr. Christopher Carduzo and associates found that nandrolone significantly reduces the loss of bone mass density. Leg bone mass density is often reduced due to a separation of nerves and leg disuse after a spinal cord injury.

Side Effects

Though nandrolone is beneficial for the treatment of several conditions, it may also cause various side effects. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, patients should inform their doctor if they experience certain side effects. These include changes in how often a patient urinates, nausea, chronic vomiting, loss of appetite, swelling in the hands and feet, rapid weight gain, unexplained fever, bleeding or bruising, yellowing of the skin and eyes, darkened urine and pale stools. Less serious side effects may include mild nausea or vomiting, swollen or tender breasts, trouble having sex and changes in the sex organs.

Warnings

Patients taking nandrolone may also experience several serious negative health effects. According to the National Institutes of Health, nandrolone has a black-box warning, alerting patients of an increased risk for liver and heart problems. Patients may develop blood filled cysts that can lead to liver failure or internal abdominal bleeding or may develop liver tumors, although most are non-cancerous and often reduce in size after the patient discontinues the medication. Hardening of arteries and changes in cholesterol may also occur. Female patients may retain excessive levels of calcium while pediatric patients may experience a premature closure of the bone growth plates, resulting in a permanent short stature.