Insulin resistance and diminished glucose tolerance in powerlifters ingesting anabolic steroids

J. C. Cohen, R. Hickman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

179 Scopus citations

Abstract

To examine the effects of anabolic steroid use on glucose homeostasis, we determined oral glucose tolerance and serum insulin response to glucose in 15 male powerlifters, 6 obese men, and 10 sedentary nonobese men. Eight of the powerlifters had self-administered large doses (200 mg/day) of anabolic steroids for periods of up to 7 yr, whereas 7 had never used anabolic steroids. Powerlifters who ingested anabolic steroids had diminished glucose tolerance compared to the nonsteroidusingnonsteroidusing group, despite having substantially higher postglucose serum insulin concentrations. Postglucose insulin responses were also higher in steroid users than in the sedentary nonobese and sedentary obese reference groups. These results indicate that powerlifters who ingest anabolic steroids have diminished glucose tolerance, which is likely to be secondary to insulin resistance.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)960-963
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Volume64
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1987

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Biochemistry
  • Endocrinology
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Biochemistry, medical

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Insulin resistance and diminished glucose tolerance in powerlifters ingesting anabolic steroids'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this