Steroid-enriched dietary supplements can increase health risks
Researchers at the Henry Ford Hospital have reported that there have been three cases of patients suffering from the adverse affects of steroid-enriched dietary supplements.
The incidences of steroid-enriched dietary supplements have come up in large numbers in the last few days, a fact that has given sleepless nights to anti-doping and government officials.
From News-Medical.Net:
The cases of three otherwise healthy adult males, ages 21 to 38, were reported with symptoms including nausea, anorexia, jaundice, severe itching and renal failure.
* A 21-year-old previously healthy white male presented with nausea, anorexia, jaundice, and severe itching. He denied alcohol consumption or illicit drug use and took no prescription medications on a regular basis but did acknowledge use of the over-the-counter supplement Superdrol, a bodybuilding agent containing methasteron, for several months before his presentation. He had purchased this compound over the internet, and he discontinued taking the supplement at the onset of his symptoms.
* A previously healthy 30-year-old white businessman initially presented to a hospital with a 5-week history of jaundice and severe itching. His medications included omeprazole and herbal supplements including chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine, glutamine, and creatine. He also acknowledged the use of a bodybuilding supplement that contained dehydroepiandrosterone. Concerned about his symptoms, he stopped consuming this supplement just before his hospitalization.
* A 38-year-old previously healthy white man initially presented for evaluation of jaundice. He first noticed the onset of scleral icterus 6 weeks previously. His symptoms included intense and worsening itching, generalized fatigue, nausea, decreased energy, and weight loss. His past history was unremarkable. He denied alcohol or illicit drug use and used no prescription medications. Owing to worsening of his symptoms and renal failure, he was admitted to the hospital.
It was remarked by Stuart C. Gordon, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Henry Ford Hospital that the possibility of over-the-counter health food supplements with anabolic steroids was not analyzed previously and can lead to serious liver damage.
