Indisputably, 17-alpha alkylated steroids present liver toxicity. Those familiar with steroids often encounter guidelines like: “Restrict intake to a maximum of 50 mg of oxymetholone daily and limit usage to no more than 4 weeks…”. Yet, do these arguments align with reality? Online resources are replete with research both affirming and contesting these claims. Let us delve a bit deeper into some of these studies…

If you merely inject a vial filled with testosterone (or its derivatives) into an intoxicated individual, it becomes futile as its initial metabolic passage is efficiently absorbed and broken down. To render effective oral steroid forms, a minor alteration to the molecule is necessary—attaching a robust bond to the steroid chain that resists liver enzyme removal. This process crafts an effective oral steroid form. However, this modification bears a downside: rendered resistant to degradation, the steroid adversely impacts liver health…

Referring to a study that scrutinized 131 liver cancer deaths from hepatic angiosarcoma, 3.1% had histories involving anabolic androgenic steroids, implying these compounds might instigate malignant liver tumors. Nonetheless, the study fails to establish steroids as the causative factor of cancer. Notably, analyzing 100 random individuals for past anabolic steroid usage, including for medically-imposed reasons, would likely yield a 3% outcome. Additionally, no concrete study confirms a 1970s spike in hepatic angiosarcoma fatalities corresponding to increased anabolic steroid users.

TOXICITY OF ORAL STEROIDS

An intriguing second study highlights multiple liver adenomas (small, benign cyst-like formations) developing in a Japanese girl using oxymetholone for aplastic anemia. Hypothetically, this raises concerns for oxymetholone users; however, closer analysis reveals the girl’s diagnosis occurred at 14, with hepatic changes noted after six years on 30mg daily Oxymetholone. Considering a weight of about 45 kg, her dosage equates to roughly 60-80 mg for a male bodybuilder over 6 years! Juxtapose this against the article’s initial assertions!

A third study examines the toxicity of various steroids on cultured rat liver cells. Concentrations applied were: 1 × 10-8M, 1 x 10-6M, and 1 × 10-4M. The focus was cell damage, notably altering only at 17-alkylated steroids like methyltestosterone, stanozolol, and oxymetholone and solely at 1 × 10-4 concentration (approximating 30-40mg per kg steroid dosage). This investigation indicates two findings:

1. At exceptionally high doses, alpha alkylated steroids prove hepatotoxic.

2. Non-alkylated steroids at elevated doses lack hepatotoxic repercussions.

Study 4 analyzed the impact of 8-week fluoxymesterone, methylandrostenolone, and stanozolol cycles at 10mg/kg weekly doses on rats. This compared to 1000 mg (143 mg daily) weekly for a 100-pound person. Half of the rats underwent physical exertion, the others not. Enzyme activity within liver cells was tracked, revealing standard serum (blood) liver enzyme levels in both rat groups! This suggests while 17-alpha alkylated steroids alter specific enzyme activity, they do not authentically present hepatotoxicity!

So, what conclusions arise? Indeed, 17-alpha alkylated steroids are hepatotoxic, but only at extraordinary dosages. According to other studies, liver enzyme levels normalize within three months post usage. Elevated cycle enzyme levels possibly stem from intense training, not necessarily from steroids themselves. Thus, any panic regarding these substances’ risks might just be another myth persisting in this sport’s context.

This article serves a purely informational role! Neither this nor any other article endorses prohibited substances’ usage or condones potential health issues resulting therefrom.