Deyssig R, Weissel M
Third Medical University Clinic, Vienna, Austria.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1993 Apr;76(4):1069-71. doi: 10.1210/jcem.76.4.8473383.
Self-administration of very high doses of androgenic anabolic steroids is common use in power athletes because of their favorable effect on performance. Since androgenic steroids decrease serum T4-binding globulin (TBG) concentrations dramatically, we were interested in the effects of this procedure on thyroid function: we performed TRH tests (200 micrograms Relefact, i.v.), with blood withdrawal before and for 180 min after injection, for determination, using RIA kits, of serum concentrations of total and free T4, total T3, TSH, and TBG in 13 young (20-29 yr old) male body builders with clinically normal thyroid glands, who were all in the same state of training. Five of these athletes admitted taking androgenic anabolic steroids at an average total dose of 1.2 g/week for at least 6 weeks before the tests. TBG, total T4, and total T3 were significantly (P < 0.001) decreased, whereas basal TSH and free T4 were not significantly different from the values of the other 8 without androgenic steroids. The maximum TSH increase after TRH administration (mean +/- SE, 16 -/+ 6 vs. 9 -/+ 4 mU/L; P < 0.05) was relatively increased, whereas the T3 response to TRH (0.61 -/+ 0.10 vs. 1.13 -/+ 0.13 nmol/L; P < 0.05) was relatively decreased in the group receiving androgens. The 5 patients taking androgens had significantly greater weight (114 vs. 90 kg; P < 0.01) and higher total cholesterol levels (6.3 -/+ 1.3 vs. 3.8 -/+ 0.3 mmol/L; P < 0.05) together with very low high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (0.20 -/+ 0.03 vs. 1.03 -/+ 0.10; P < 0.001) than the controls. PRL levels were normal and similar in both groups. We conclude from our results that high dose androgenic anabolic steroid administration leads to a relative impairment (within the normal range) of thyroid function. Whether this is due to a direct thyroid hormone release (or synthesis?)-blocking effect of these steroids needs further investigation.
由于大剂量雄激素类合成代谢类固醇对运动表现有有利影响，因此在力量型运动员中自我使用此类药物很常见。由于雄激素类类固醇会显著降低血清甲状腺素结合球蛋白（TBG）浓度，我们对该过程对甲状腺功能的影响感兴趣：我们对13名甲状腺临床正常的年轻（20 - 29岁）男性健美运动员进行了促甲状腺激素释放激素（TRH）试验（静脉注射200微克Relefact），在注射前及注射后180分钟采血，使用放射免疫分析试剂盒测定血清总T4、游离T4、总T3、促甲状腺激素（TSH）和TBG的浓度，这些运动员都处于相同的训练状态。其中5名运动员承认在测试前至少6周平均每周服用1.2克雄激素类合成代谢类固醇。服用类固醇的运动员的TBG、总T4和总T3显著降低（P < 0.001），而基础TSH和游离T4与未服用雄激素类类固醇的其他8名运动员的值无显著差异。服用TRH后TSH的最大增加值（均值±标准误，16±6 vs. 9±4 mU/L；P < 0.05）相对增加，而服用雄激素类药物组对TRH的T3反应（0.61±0.10 vs. 1.13±0.13 nmol/L；P < 0.05）相对降低。与对照组相比，5名服用雄激素类药物的患者体重明显更大（114 vs. 90 kg；P < 0.01），总胆固醇水平更高（6.3±1.3 vs. 3.8±0.3 mmol/L；P < 0.05），同时高密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平极低（0.20±0.03 vs. 1.03±0.10；P < 0.001）。两组的催乳素（PRL）水平均正常且相似。我们从结果中得出结论，大剂量服用雄激素类合成代谢类固醇会导致甲状腺功能相对受损（在正常范围内）。这是否是由于这些类固醇对甲状腺激素释放（或合成？）的直接阻断作用，还需要进一步研究。
