Help! Is Test Prop Hepatoxic?

[spleen]

While on 700 mg weekly of test prop, my last blood panels showed elevated liver values (previously, they've only been slightly elevated while on cycle, including cycles w/ tren, winny). My GP didn’t seem to be concerned that it might be the test but because he couldn’t come up with any other explanations, he sent me to a gastroenterologist.

So I saw the gastro today and upon hearing that I was on test, he instantly concluded that this was the problem and told me if I continued to cycle testosterone I’ll develop cirrhosis and eventually need a liver transplant.

Now, I understand that doctor’s aren’t always well informed about AAS. And, I asked this cat if he saw a lot of liver problems with people using exogenous testosterone and he told me I was the first person he’s treated who has taken it (he’s a pretty young guy). I told him I was taking precautions to protect my liver (milk thistle, r-ALA, 3 gallons of water per day, etc.) and that I had learned that injected test isn't highly hepatoxic. He says, "Yea, we used to think that but now we know that it is."

Maybe I’m mistaken, but I’ve always understood that injectible testosterone is generally not hard on the liver. I know it may not be the same for everyone, but is this generally correct?

Thanks for any feedback—I think I know better but that “you’ll need a liver transplant” really scared the shit out of me!

spleen

 

[spleen]

Bump...anybody?

 

[bio labs]

How was your liver before you started this test prop?

also, what brand of prop is it?

 

[Fullybuilt]

What was your alt and ast. I was on 500mg test prop and mine were slightly elevated. Only like 40points higher than normal. Thats not bad though. Weight lifters are always gonna have elevated values, plus intramuscular injections can cause elevated ast levels, whether it be b12 or aas. Also if you were on any tylenol or advil that could do it as well.

 

[Jarconis]

haha, so all us men are screwed because the testoserone our bodies make naturally is bad for us as well... seems unlikely

 

[Dave_19]

haha, so all us men are screwed because the testoserone our bodies make naturally is bad for us as well... seems unlikely

there is a difference between natural and synthetic test that must pass through our vital organs. But test is only mildly toxic compared to most AAS. Its very dose dependent though, and is a lot harder on kidneys then the liver, infact its very light on the liver.

 

[spleen]

Thanks for the replies.

I left my test results at the office so I don't have the exact values, but they are high so something is definitely going on. However, previously they were only slightly higher while on test so I don't think that is causing the problem. The gastro seemed to immediately focus on the test and attribute the high values to that, even before he asked me about alcohol consumption, tylenol, motrin, etc. (I consume none of these).

Fullybuilt: No acetaminophen or ibuprofen (I stay clear of those because of possible hepatoxicity). Could you please explain why weight training and IM injections will cause elevated liver values? Thanks!

Dave: That was my understanding as well and my kidney values were fine.

 

[cryptasm]

Your probly the first person that gastro has seen that uses ( or admits to using). Doctors as a whole dont spend any time studing the affects of AAS or HGH on our bodies. Most only know what they hear on CNN and like most people in the world they "belive the hype". As far as they are concerened they are Illegal drugs that have no real purpose except for people that dont produce thier own adrogens. so unless you see a specialist or anti aging Dr. you can;t rely on their opinions. If a Dr. sid that to me I wouyld ask how much time he spent studying or reading studies on the effects of AAS on the liver. Most likely he read it once in Med School and thats it.

Injectable Test, from may studies I've read is not hepatoxic, and I would venture to guess that Prop would e the least of all esters to be hepatoxic cause it clears the system so fast.
Thats just my (educated) 2 cents.

Now if your pumpin 200mgs per day on top of other compounds, that may be different. What els might you be putting in your body that may be toxic?? And most weightlifters do have elevated counts on several markers as opposed to couch potatoes

 

[spleen]

Hey cryptasm,

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I was indeed the first person the gastro has seen who is taking exogenous test (either for HRT or otherwise). I told him that studies I've read indicate minimal, if any, effects on liver. He says "we used to think that, but now we know differently." I told him I know lots of people who use testosterone and their blood panels show no liver toxicity. He says "well, there always has to be that one guy that it does affect."

Sorry to go on bro, I guess I was just wanting some reassurance, which I've gotten. The thing is, my ALT and AST were pretty high so something's up but it seems this gastro immediately made up his mind it's the test so I'm concerned he may disregard other possibilities. Guess I'll be asking for a referral to another gastro.

And no, no other compounds, alcohol, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, etc.

spleen

 

[STORM SHADOW]

Ok let's get something straight about the liver. Anything you put in your body your liver has to work on... EVERYTHING. There was a time where the liver was getting killed by NFL players in the old days before HRT by players eating huge portions of beef all day and night to get extra muscle.

Imagine all the stuff we are stuffing in our body inc. HRT to get big, it stress's the liver. You don't have to be on HRT to stress your liver at all. Best advise, keep using things that are good on the liver to protect it.

There are liver problems in the millions all across the USA and only a micron of those peeps were on HRT, not even worth mentioning. That's why there are specialist in this area because there is a national problem. Are those millions on testosterone? lol I don't think so.

 

[drgoodbody]

Can supraphysiological doses of test affect AST and ALT? Yeah. Are the effects reversible? Yeah. Should you periodically get bloodwork and a check up to make sure you're healthy? Yeah. Is there research that shows the effects of steroid use, and even abuse, over years is reversible? Yeah.

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Reversibility of the effects on blood cells, lipids, liver function and hormones in former anabolic-androgenic steroid abusers.Urhausen A, Torsten A, Wilfried K.

Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Sports and Preventive Medicine, University of Saarland, Germany. [email protected]

BACKGROUND: In contrast to the acute effects of anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) abuse, the long-term risk profile of former long-term abusers (ExA) is less clear. METHODS: Blood parameters of 32 male bodybuilders and powerlifters were studied. Fifteen ExA had not been abusing AAS for at least 12-43 months on average (mean dosage 700 mg for 26 weeks per year over 9 years), 17 athletes (A) were still abusing AAS (750 mg for 33 weeks per 8 years). FINDINGS: Hemoglobin (+5%), leucocytes (+33%) and platelets (+38%) were significantly higher in A. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were higher, cholinesterase activity (CHE) lower in A (65+/-55, 38+/-27 and 3719+/-1528U/l) compared to ExA (24+/-10, 18+/-11 and 6345+/-975U/l; each P<0.001) with normal values for gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GT) and bilirubin. ALT, AST and CHE correlated significantly with the extent (duration and weekly dosage, expressed as a point score) of AAS abuse in A (r=0.68, 0.57 and -0.62; each P<0.01). Total and LDL-cholesterol were similar, HDL-cholesterol was distinctly lower in A than in ExA (17+/-11 and 43+/-11 mg/dl; P<0.001) and correlated negatively with the extent of AAS abuse (r=-0.50; P<0.05). Testosterone and estradiol were significantly higher, while LH, FSH and the sexual-hormone-binding (SHB) protein were lower in A than in ExA (each P<0.001). Two ExA had testosterone levels below the normal range. INTERPRETATION: The alterations in cell counts, HDL-cholesterol, liver function and most hormones of the pituitary-testicular axis induced by a long-term abuse of AAS were reversible after stopping the medication for over 1 year. In some ExA, an increased ALT activity and a depressed testosterone synthesis were found.

PMID: 12711025 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]