Skip to main content
General Medicine

Anabolic Steroid Abuse

Mary S. Lindholm, MD Reviewed 05/2023
 


BASICS

The misuse of testosterone and closely related compounds (often in supratherapeutic dosages) to increase lean muscle mass and improve athletic performance 

DESCRIPTION

  • Anabolic-androgenic steroid...

DIAGNOSIS

  • Based on history and physical exam

  • The WADA uses the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) as part of a comprehensive anti-doping program to reveal the physiologic effects of doping.

  • The WADA ABP ...

TREATMENT

  • Treatment is limited by the fact that AAS abusers rarely seek assistance.

  • AAS abuse/dependence is complicated by

    • High frequency of comorbid body image disorders including muscle dysmorphia

    • Few ...

ONGOING CARE

Follow-up with primary care and other specialists (e.g., behavioral health specialist or addiction specialist) is based on clinical factors. 

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Based on side effects...

REFERENCES

1
Rane  A, Ekström  L. Androgens and doping tests: genetic variation and pit-falls. Br J Clin Pharmacol.  2012;74(1):3–15. [View Abstract on OvidMedline] ...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Dodge  T, Hoagland  MF. The use of anabolic androgenic steroids and polypharmacy: a review of the literature. Drug Alcohol Depend.  2011;114(2–3):100...

SEE ALSO

Substance Use Disorders 

CODES

ICD10

F55.3 Abuse of steroids or hormones 

SNOMED

231458000 abuse of steroids (disorder) 

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Anabolic steroid use is not limited to elite athletes.

  • Suspect anabolic steroid abuse in at-risk patients with consistent clinical features.

  • Discuss steroid use in an unbiased manner.

  • Tre...

Subscribe to Access Full Content

Sign Up for a 10-Day Free Trial

Sign up for a 10-day FREE Trial now and receive full access to all content.

START 10-DAY FREE TRIAL
Subscribe Now
GET CME/CE
Related Images
Left Arrow Button Right Arrow Button

Figure 17.4 Cholesterol and synthesis of the principal sex steroid hormones. Broken arrows indicate where one or more intermediate reactions occurs. The enzyme aromatase directly converts testosterone into estradiol.

 

Figure 17.4 Cholesterol and synthesis of the principal sex steroid hormones. Broken arrows indicate where one or more intermediate reactio...

    ×
     
    ©2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved.
    Enter an Access Code
    Enter the code from your copy of The 5-Minute Clinical Consult or another access code to create an account.
    Redeem
    ×