Anabolic Steroid Use Among Athletes: Changes in HDL-C Levels

AbstractIn brief: Despite warnings of possible risk to liver, prostate, and kidney function, the use of anabolic steroids has become widespread among athletes. This study examined the influence of oral and injected anabolic steroids on serum HDL-C levels in nine strength-trained men. The mean HDL-C concentration in these subjects was 17.0 ± 2.3 mg/100 ml, which was significantly lower (p ≤.05) than the means for untrained (46 ± 1.6 mg/100 ml) and strength-trained (44.6 ± 1.3 mg/100 ml) men who were not using these drugs. In light of the relationships reported between low levels of HDL-C and the incidence of coronary artery disease, the administration of these drugs to otherwise healthy men appears to be ethically and clinically inadvisable.