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Anabolic Steroids: Types, Uses, And Risks

# Anabolic Steroids
**A Comprehensive Guide for Clinicians, Patients & Researchers**

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## 1️⃣ What Are They?

| Feature | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| **Definition** | Synthetic derivatives of the naturally occurring male sex hormone testosterone. |
| **Purpose** | Primarily used to increase muscle mass and strength; in medicine they treat hormonal deficiencies or diseases that reduce muscle mass (e.g., cachexia, AIDS‑related wasting). |
| **Forms & Administration** | • Oral tablets/soft gels
• Injectable esters (intramuscular)
• Transdermal patches or gels |

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## 2️⃣ Who Uses Them?

| Population | Common Indications / Reasons |
|------------|------------------------------|
| **Athletes / Bodybuilders** | Performance enhancement, muscle hypertrophy. |
| **Patients with Testosterone Deficiency** | Hypogonadism, delayed puberty, certain cancers (e.g., prostate). |
| **Chronic Illness & Cachexia** | AIDS, COPD, cancer‑related wasting. |
| **Elderly & Frail Individuals** | To mitigate sarcopenia and frailty. |

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## 3️⃣ How They’re Administered

| Method | Typical Dosage (varies by indication) |
|--------|---------------------------------------|
| **Oral Pills** | 100–500 mg/day for hormone replacement; lower doses for anti‑androgen therapy. |
| **Transdermal Gels** | 25–75 mg per day, applied to clean skin. |
| **Injectable Preparations** | Intramuscular or subcutaneous injections every 1–2 weeks (e.g., testosterone cypionate). |

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## 4️⃣ Benefits

- **Improved Muscle Mass & Strength:** ↑ protein synthesis and muscle fiber hypertrophy.
- **Enhanced Fat‑Free Mass:** ↓ body fat percentage, better metabolic profile.
- **Better Bone Density:** ↓ osteoporosis risk.
- **Elevated Energy & Mood:** ↑ motivation, reduced fatigue.
- **Cardiovascular Health:** Improved lipid profiles (↑ HDL, ↓ LDL).

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## 5️⃣ Risks & Side Effects

| Category | Potential Issue | Frequency/Severity |
|----------|-----------------|--------------------|
| Hormonal | Gynecomastia, acne, hair loss | Mild–moderate; reversible |
| Cardiovascular | ↑ blood pressure, clotting risk | Low if monitored |
| Hematological | Polycythemia (↑ red cell count) | Requires regular CBC checks |
| Hepatic | Elevated liver enzymes with oral formulations | Rare; monitor LFTs |
| Reproductive | Reduced sperm count, infertility | May be reversible after cessation |
| Psychological | Mood swings, aggression | Usually mild; monitor mood |

**Mitigation:**
- Use the lowest effective dose.
- Prefer injectable (parenteral) forms to reduce hepatic burden.
- Routine labs: CBC with reticulocyte count, LFTs, fasting lipids every 3–6 months.

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## 4. Comparative Table – Erythropoiesis‑Stimulating Agents

| **Drug** | **Formulation & Route** | **Half‑Life (IV)** | **Clinical Use** | **Key Adverse Effects** |
|----------|------------------------|--------------------|------------------|-------------------------|
| **Epoetin alfa** | SC/IV | 8–12 h | Anemia of chronic kidney disease, chemotherapy | Hypertension, thromboembolism |
| **Darbepoetin alfa** | IV | ~30 h (long‑acting) | Same indications; less frequent dosing | Similar to epoetin |
| **Methoxy polyethylene glycol‑epoetin β** (Mircera) | SC | 15–21 d | CKD anemia, longer intervals | Hypertension, thrombosis |
| **Asparaginase** | IV (in leukemia) | Variable | Inhibition of protein synthesis; leads to hypoalbuminemia | Hypoalbuminemia, pancreatitis |

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## 4. Suggested Follow‑Up

| Time Point | Action |
|------------|--------|
| Within 24 h | Reassess serum albumin, electrolytes (Na⁺, K⁺), BUN/Cr; evaluate hydration status. |
| 48–72 h | Repeat albumin if >5 % drop or symptomatic hypoalbuminemia. |
| Day 7 | Review clinical status and repeat albumin; assess for new symptoms. |
| At discharge | Provide education on signs of fluid overload, nutrition, and medication adherence. |

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### Bottom Line

- A 5 % drop in serum albumin (from 3.9 g/dL to 3.7 g/dL) over one day is a **clinically significant** change that may reflect increased capillary leakage or fluid shifts.
- Immediate assessment of the patient’s volume status, vital signs, and clinical symptoms is warranted; treat accordingly with diuretics, albumin infusion, or other supportive measures as indicated.
- Monitor serum albumin serially to track trends and guide ongoing management.
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