ABSTRACT
Unfortunately, anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) abuse is prevalent in Japan. Most steroid abusers are amateur bodybuilders, powerlifters, wrestlers, and “fitness enthusiasists.” The case presented is of a young amateur bodybuilder, who suffered gynecomastia, whose only significant risk factor was his nonmedical use of an AAS.<BR>A 27-yr-old male was admitted to our hospital in December 1992 with gynecomastia. He reported starting to use an AAS, oxymetolone (Anadrol<SUP>®</SUP>) 30 mg daily, at the age of 23 yrs in 1987. He had developed bilateral painful gynecomastia, impotence and decreased sex drive within 3 months of starting AAS use. He stopped using it, and was admitted to another clinic in 1991. He took testosterone propionate (Testinon<SUP>®</SUP>) 25 mg weekly, but, as he was anxious about the long-term use or this medication, he was adimitted to our clinic.<BR>On physical examination his gynecomastia had diminished slightly, but he still had breast tenderness. All his laboratory examination results were almost within the normal ranges. Neverthless his serum free testosterone level was slightly low, so he took tamoxifen (Nolvadex<SUP>®</SUP>) and Chinese medicines. Consequently, his gynecomastia improved after treatment, for 5 months.<BR>Gynecomastia develops when an AAS is converted to estrogen. In conclusion, tamoxifen administration may be useful to reverse gynecomastia caused by AAS doping in sportsmen.
ABSTRACT
I report a case of scalp hair loss and nail destruction as possible side effects of anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) doping in a Japanese athlete. The patiet, a 27-year-old man, was an amateur bodybuilder who won the championship in a bodybuilding contest. However, he tested positive in a doping test for drostanolone and stanozolol, and was deprived of his championship.<BR>In Japan, positive results in doping tests are very rare. The patient suffered from loss of scalp hair and destruction of the nails before the contest. In addition, he presented with hoarseness and soft tumors of the lower extremities. Laboratory data showed hypotestos-onemia caused by AAS doping. However, a hCG test revealed that he still had positive of sex function capacity. Therefore the patients natural course was observed without medical treatment, and the symptoms were resolved within four months after the contest. This is considered to be the first case of nail destruction caused by AAS doping reported in the world.