ALTERATION OF HORMONE LEVELS IN NORMAL MALES GIVEN THE ANABOLIC STEROID STANOZOLOL

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Abstract
Anabolic steroids have widespread metabolic effects but, to date, their proven clinical indications have been limited. Recently the 17 .alpha.-alkylated steroid, stanozolol, has been of value in a variety of commonly occurring vascular diseases. Its endocrine effects have received little attention and the effect of administering a 14 day course of stanozolol (10 mg orally per day) on a variety of important hormonal pathways was investigated in 9 healthy male subjects. Significant changes occurred as follows: a 55% reduction in serum testosterone levels was noted and was accompanied by reductions in derived free testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin and LH [luteinizing hormone] levels; total T4 [thyroxine] and T3 [triiodothyronine] levels fell in association with a decrease in thyroxine-binding globulin, but no alteration was detected in TSH or free T4 levels. Changes in vitamin D status, with falls in 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and vitamin D-binding globulin were also observed. These effects were reversible on stopping treatment. Stanozolol therapy therefore leads to a number of hormonal changes, probably by an action at both pituitary and hepatic levels.