In the case report, doctors provided a more complete picture of the man, noting that he lived with his wife and children in eastern Massachusetts, worked as a facilities manager and described himself as a fitness “fanatic.” He used tanning beds and applied spray tans. He told doctors that he had suffered from erectile dysfunction and a decreased libido for several years. They also noticed that he had mild enlargement of breast tissue (a condition called gynecomastia), progressive insulin resistance, decreased levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL or high-density lipoprotein), and fatty liver.
Upon arrival at the hospital, he reported five days of worsening chest tightness and pressure, fatigue, leg swelling, and difficulty breathing. His heart was beating at 134 beats per minute. His blood pressure was elevated at 146/106 mm Hg. Doctors described him as “muscular, tanned, anxious and slightly distressed.” Tests showed his heart was failing again, with the left chamber pumping only 20 percent of his blood.
Doctors began examining a long list of possible explanations. They excluded infectious diseases that can cause heart inflammation (myocarditis), as well as autoimmune diseases, drug side effects and toxins. The remaining explanation for them – and which also seemed to explain much of his other problems – was high doses of testosterone, or perhaps AAS.
Illicit use of AAS is clearly linked to heart problems, including reduced blood pumping in humans, as well as tension and damage. This could also explain her enlarged breast tissue, fatty liver and signs of liver damage, progressive insulin resistance, kidney damage, high blood pressure and high levels of red blood cells (erythrocytosis). Sleep problems, fatigue, and low testosterone levels—which doctors previously thought were due to obstructive sleep apnea—may actually be due to a drop in natural hormone production after doses of ASA (a condition called hypogonadism).
In his long medical history, the man had never mentioned the use of AAS or testosterone supplements. Doctors were preparing to have a delicate conversation to determine whether he was secretly using drugs. When they finally broached the subject, he confessed; he had been using high doses of ASA intermittently to strengthen his muscles, taking the most recent dose before his Caribbean vacation. The testosterone derivative he used was trenbolone, an ASA only approved for use in veterinary medicine; it is mainly used in livestock.
Gn Health
