What are the adverse effects of using hormones for muscle building?

Adverse Effects of Hormones for Muscle Building

Using hormones for muscle building carries significant health risks including cardiovascular problems, liver damage, endocrine disruption, and psychological effects, with minimal evidence supporting their efficacy for improving strength or performance in healthy individuals. 1, 2, 3

Types of Hormones Used for Muscle Building

• Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (AAS): Synthetic derivatives of testosterone
• Growth Hormone (GH): Used to increase muscle mass
• Testosterone and its analogs: Used to increase muscle mass and strength
• Prohormones: Marketed as testosterone-enhancing supplements (androstenedione, androstenediol, DHEA)

Cardiovascular Effects

• Elevation of blood pressure 2
• Depression of HDL, HDL2, and HDL3 cholesterol levels 2
• Risk of atherosclerosis due to unfavorable influence on serum lipids 2
• Potential thrombosis, vasospasm, or direct injury to vessel walls 2
• Increased risk of cardiomyopathy 4

Endocrine System Effects

• Disruption of regular endogenous testosterone production 2
• Suppression of gonadotropins that may persist for months after drug withdrawal 2
• Testosterone deficiency following cessation of use 4
• Erectile dysfunction 4
• Gynecomastia (development of breast tissue in males) 4

Liver Effects

• Potential hepatotoxicity, particularly with oral anabolic steroids 4
• Elevation of liver enzymes 4

Psychological and Behavioral Effects

• Increased aggression and hostility 2, 3
• Mood disturbances including depression and mania (dose and drug dependent) 2
• Potential for AAS dependence in a small number of users 2
• Risk of violence significantly increases when combined with alcohol 3

Dermatological Effects

• Acne vulgaris 2, 4
• Increased body hair 2
• Alterations of sebaceous system and skin 2

Efficacy vs. Claims

• Growth hormone supplementation often increases muscle mass but rarely improves muscle strength (low to moderate evidence) 1
• Prohormone nutritional supplements do not produce anabolic or ergogenic effects in men despite marketing claims 5
• Short-term AAS administration can increase strength by 5-20% and bodyweight by 2-5kg 2
• No effect on endurance performance has been observed with AAS use 2

Special Considerations

• Testosterone therapy in older men has been associated with:

  • Increased risk of diabetes mellitus 1
  • Impaired fasting glucose/insulin resistance 1
  • Fluid retention and joint pain 1

• Growth hormone use in patients with COPD:

  • Increased lean body mass but no improvement in respiratory muscle strength 6
  • Decreased 6-minute walk distance in one study 6

Safer Alternatives

• Strength training is recommended as an effective method for increasing muscle strength and mass with high-quality evidence 1
• Creatine monohydrate supplementation can enhance training capacity and promote adaptations in muscle strength and lean body mass 1
• Adequate protein intake and nutrition are essential for maintaining muscle mass 6

Important Caveats

• Many laboratory studies do not investigate the actual doses abused in the field, potentially underestimating adverse effects 2
• The American College of Physicians notes that evidence on long-term benefits of HGH therapy is lacking 1
• The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism guidelines note insufficient data to recommend androgenic steroids for increasing muscle mass 1
• Testosterone use in older men with subclinical prostate cancer may enhance growth of cancer foci 6

The evidence clearly demonstrates that while hormones for muscle building may provide short-term gains in muscle mass, they come with significant health risks that outweigh potential benefits for most individuals.