Steroid misuse has been associated with liver damage,50,51 tumors,46,52,53 and a rare condition called peliosis hepatis, in which blood-filled cysts form in the liver. The cysts can rupture, causing internal bleeding and even death in rare cases.
If taken orally, steroids can show up in a urine test for up to 14 days. If injected, steroids can show up for up to 1 month.
Results. Anabolic-androgenic steroids can affect the kidney in different aspects. They can induce or aggravate acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, and glomerular toxicity.
Chemical substitutions on the testosterone molecule cause increased potency and duration of action. The 17-α-alkylation modification allows steroids to be taken orally, but the slower clearance in the liver makes them more hepatotoxic.
More importantly, therapy with anabolic steroids is linked to a distinctive form of acute cholestasis often referred to as “bland cholestasis”. The liver injury generally arises within 1 to 4 months of starting therapy, but may be delayed to as long as 6 to 24 months (Case 1).
It's a medical emergency that requires hospitalization. Depending on the cause, acute liver failure can sometimes be reversed with treatment. In many situations, though, a liver transplant may be the only cure.
Risks
Cartilage damage.
Death of nearby bone.
Joint infection.
Nerve damage.
Temporary facial flushing.
Temporary flare of pain and inflammation in the joint.
Temporary increase in blood sugar.
Tendon weakening or rupture.
You should NOT stop on your own accord even if you are feeling better. If you have been using steroids for more than a few weeks (or a week in the case of prednisone 40 mg per day or more) you will need to gradually reduce the dose before stopping completely.
What are the possible side effects of steroids?
Increased appetite.
Weight gain.
Changes in mood.
Muscle weakness.
Blurred vision.
Increased growth of body hair.
Easy bruising.
Lower resistance to infection.
Corticosteroids improved the prognosis of patients with ALF and SALF. The highest rates of response were observed in patients with a lower MELD score and coma grade but who had extremely high ALT levels. The most effective treatment time was within 2 weeks of the onset of symptoms.
Patient monitoring and laboratory tests
Corticosteroids can increase liver enzymes—especially alkaline phosphatase—without inducing liver pathology. Prednisone can increase white blood cell count and decrease lymphocyte count. It can increase serum albumin, glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol.
Drugs like steroid hormones can exacerbate the pathogenetic mechanisms that lead to NASH, and other drugs like tamoxifen, cisplatin and irenotecan have been shown to precipitate latent fatty liver as well.
Another issue with prohormones is that they are very toxic to the liver, ultimately causing liver damage. The toxicity of prohormones is because they are often methylated. In order to reduce liver damage, liver supplements are often taken with prohormones in order to protect it from toxins.
Over-the-counter bodybuilding supplements may increase the risk of liver damage. Most suffered from jaundice, severe itching, and weight loss -- although none died or needed a liver transplant.
Other drugs that affect bilirubin
Other drugs can also increase bilirubin levels. These include anabolic steroids, some antibiotics, anti-malaria drugs, codeine, diuretics, morphine, oral contraceptives, rifampin and sulfonamides.