Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) are synthetic derivatives of testosterone with both androgenic and anabolic properties, and their non-medical use has been increasingly reported, particularly among young adults. Although licensed for conditions such as hypogonadism and cachexia, AASs are frequently misused for rapid muscle growth and performance enhancement. Such unregulated use carries a significant risk of drug-induced liver injury, most commonly presenting with a cholestatic pattern. Here, we describe a case of a previously healthy young bodybuilder who developed severe cholestatic jaundice after seven weeks of unsupervised anabolic steroid use. This case highlights the importance of thorough drug history taking, including over-the-counter supplements and performance-enhancing agents, in any young adult presenting with unexplained jaundice. Early recognition and prompt withdrawal of the offending agent resulted in marked clinical improvement and steady normalisation of liver function tests.
Han et al. (Thu,) studied this question.