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Disorder of hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis induced by abusing of anabolic–androgenic steroids for short time: A case report
Author(s) -
Vilar Neto José de Oliveira,
da Silva Carlos Alberto,
Lima Antônio Barroso,
Caminha Juan de Sá Roriz,
Pinto Daniel Vieira,
Alves Felipe Rocha,
Araújo Jocasta Sousa,
Daher Elizabeth de Francesco
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
andrologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.633
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1439-0272
pISSN - 0303-4569
DOI - 10.1111/and.13107
Subject(s) - hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis , medicine , endocrinology , testosterone (patch) , anabolism , hormone , follicle stimulating hormone , luteinizing hormone
The aim of this study was to evaluate the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis functionality on a bodybuilding competitioner before, during and after the use of anabolic–androgenic steroids. A young healthy man was followed up for 4 months. The subject reported his drug administration protocol through periodic interviews and performed laboratory tests to monitor the function of his hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. Time 1 (before the steroids use) shows all hormones levels (follicle‐stimulating hormone = 4,2 mUI/ml, luteinising hormone = 3,7 mUI/ml and total testosterone = 5,7 ng/ml) within reference values. In Time 2, after 8 weeks on steroids abuse, a complete hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis derangement is evident with noticeable negative feedback (follicle‐stimulating hormone = 1,47 mUI/ml, luteinising hormone = 0,1 mUI/ml and total testosterone = 1,47 ng/ml). At the third moment (40 days after Time 2), we can see a tendency to recovery, however, the serum levels of the investigated hormones were still considerably lower than the baseline values. At the end, we could conclude that the use of anabolic–androgenic steroids, at supraphysiological dosages, even for a short time (8 weeks), causes severe disorder in the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. The endogenous testosterone synthesis was severely compromised by important decline in serum luteinising hormone levels.