Bodybuilding with Anabolic Steroids Causes Kidney Disease

According to a paper being presented at the American Society of Nephrology’s 42nd Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition in San Diego bodybuilding supplemented by anabolic steroid usage can lead to kidney damage.

The researchers seem to believe that extreme increases in muscle mass require the kidneys to increase their filtration rate, placing harmful levels of stress on these organs. It may also be likely that anabolic steroids have direct toxic effects on the kidneys. “Athletes who use anabolic steroids and the doctors caring for them need to be aware of the potentially serious risks to the kidney,” said Leal Herlitz, MD, of Columbia University Medical Center.

Dr Herlitz and her colleagues recently conducted the first study describing injury to the kidneys following long-term abuse of anabolic steroids. The investigators studied a group of 10 bodybuilders who used steroids for many years and developed protein leakage into the urine and severe reductions in kidney function. Kidney tests revealed that nine of the ten bodybuilders developed a condition called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a type of scarring within the kidneys.

Although there has been a general feeling anabolic steroid use to increase muscle mass and strength has many deleterious effects, the link to kidney disease has been quite flimsy. This study seems to have strengthen the argument.