How anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) affect your TSH and thyroid gland

Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) disrupt the hormonal balance, leading to increased TSH levels and possibly hypothyroidism. AAS suppress the natural production of thyroid hormones by disrupting the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis.

Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are synthetic variants of the male hormone testosterone. They are often used to build muscle mass and improve athletic performance. While effective in increasing muscle mass, they can also have a number of adverse effects on your body, including your thyroid function.

What is the thyroid gland and TSH?

• Thyroid: A small gland in your neck that produces hormones (T3 and T4) that regulate your metabolism, energy, and growth.
• TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone): A hormone produced by your pituitary gland (in your brain) that stimulates the thyroid gland to produce T3 and T4.

How AAS affect the thyroid and TSH

1. Impaired Hormone Balance:

   • HPT Axis: AAS disrupt the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis, a system that regulates the production of thyroid hormones. Normally, your hypothalamus sends a signal to your pituitary gland to produce TSH, which then stimulates your thyroid gland to make T3 and T4. AAS can disrupt this process, causing your thyroid to produce fewer hormones and your pituitary gland to make more TSH in an attempt to stimulate the thyroid (University of Rochester Medical Center).

2. Suppression of natural hormone production:

   • Increased Testosterone: When you use AAS, you increase the amount of testosterone in your body. This can lead to a suppression of the natural production of other hormones, including that of the thyroid gland. Your body thinks it has enough hormones and decreases production of T3 and T4, resulting in increased TSH levels as your pituitary gland tries to stimulate your thyroid (University of Rochester Medical Center).

3. Direct effect on thyroid:

   • Thyroid cells: AAS can directly affect thyroid cells, leading to decreased thyroid hormone production. This direct effect can reduce the functional capacity of the thyroid gland, resulting in elevated TSH levels (University of Rochester Medical Center).

What does this mean to you?

• Symptoms of hypothyroidism: Due to the decreased production of thyroid hormones, you may develop symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, and depression.
• Elevated TSH: An elevated TSH level is a signal that your thyroid is not producing enough hormones and that your pituitary gland is trying to increase production.

What can you do?

1. Seek medical advice: If you use AAS and experience symptoms of hypothyroidism, it is important to consult a physician.
2. Quitting AAS: Consider stopping the use of AAS under the guidance of a medical professional to restore your hormone balance.
3. Thyroid Function Testing: Get your thyroid function tested to check levels of TSH, T3, and T4 and get proper treatment if needed.

Resources

• Mayo Clinic - Hypothyroidism
• Healthline - Anabolic Steroids and the Endocrine System.
• Thyroid Foundation
• Lab Tests Online - TSH