Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids and Cardiometabolic Derangements
January 2021
in “
Cureus
”
anabolic-androgenic steroids AAS type 2 diabetes mellitus hyperlipidemia high-sensitivity C-reactive protein left ventricular hypertrophy right ventricular function metabolic derangements cardiac toxicity anabolic steroids diabetes cholesterol hs-CRP heart enlargement heart function metabolic issues heart damage
Studysummary This case report examines the long-term impact of extensive anabolic-androgenic steroid use on metabolic and cardiovascular health, highlighting adverse effects to guide primary care for this patient group.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
The document is a case report on a 56-year-old male who had been using anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) for over three decades. Despite maintaining low body fat levels and high physical activity, the patient was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus, had hyperlipidemia, borderline elevated blood pressure, and moderately elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels. His echocardiogram showed mild left ventricular hypertrophy and mildly decreased right ventricular function, suggesting direct AAS induced biventricular effects. The report concluded that anabolic steroids carry many potential and somewhat unknown long-term risks, such as metabolic derangements and cardiac toxicity. It emphasized the need for greater physician knowledge to accurately screen these patients prior to serious complications and called for more research to provide better insight on addressing this patient population.
