Disorder of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis induced by abusing of anabolic-androgenic steroids for short time: A case report

• Published in: Andrologia Vol. 50; no. 9; p. e13107
• Main Authors: 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
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: 01-11-2018
• ISSN: 1439-0272
• DOI: 10.1111/and.13107

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.