The Utah Legislature has approved a bill that would allow naturopathic physicians to prescribe transdermal or buccal testosterone (but not injectable esters of testosterone). The “Hormone Restoration Amendments” (HB-108) passed the Utah Senate on March 9, 2009 and the Utah House on February 10, 2009. Placing the risks of testosterone in perspective, Rep. Paul Ray stated, “I’ve been married 17 years and too much estrogen scares me a heck of a lot more than testosterone.” Utah will become the fifth state to grant prescriptive rights for testosterone to naturopathic physicians when the bill is signed by Gov. Jon Huntsman. Utah joins Arizona, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington as the only other states where naturopathic physicians can prescribe testosterone (”Bill will allow naturopathic doctors to prescribe testosterone,” March 5, 2009).
The “Hormone Restoration Amendments” were opposed by the Utah Medical Association and the Utah Health System Pharmacy who expressed their antagonism towards compounding pharmacies during debates. The Utah Health Insurance Association was also concerned that the bill would force insurance companies to cover naturopathic physician-prescribed testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
The Utah Association of Naturopathic Physicians was well-informed and knowledgeable regarding testosterone and federal steroid laws. The representatives for the Utah Medical Association and the Utah Health System Pharmacy were not; their testimony was inaccurate and misleading with respect to steroid law and steroid side effects. The UMA sent a non-medical expert to present their case opposing the bill. Read more
Defense attorney Thomas Lesser of Lesser, Newman & Nasser proved that federal prosecutors do not have a monopoly on anabolic steroid misinformation and falsehoods. Lesser filed a sentencing memorandum in Massachusetts federal court requesting one year probation for his client who had previously pleaded guilty to steroid distribution charges. Lesser falsely characterized the typical steroid user as a massive consumer of ridiculous amounts of anabolic steroids (”Sentencing Memorandum USA v. Shooltz,” March 19, 2009).
“A typical steroid user would use one gram of testosterone per day, which he would combine with other steroids, as well as human growth hormone. Over a ten-week period, 140 grams of steroids would be used, 70 grams of testosterone and a similar quantity of other steroids. Body builders would use more.”
In other words, Lesser expected the court to believe that the typical steroid cycle involved the equivalent of (1) 7,000mg testosterone esters per week; (2) 3,500mg Deca Durabolin per week; (3) 500mg Dianabol per day; and (4) human growth hormone (HGH). Lesser claimed that bodybuilders used even greater quantities of steroids. Read more
Former WWE pro wrestler Andrew “Test” Martin was found dead at the age of 33 in his Tampa residence during a police welfare check on March 13, 2009. The cause of death has not been determined but foul play is not suspected. The Tampa Police Department has requested toxicology tests after discovering large amounts of prescription painkillers and anabolic steroids in his Post Harbour Place condominium. Martin was apparently notorious for his use of steroids and sometimes faced fans who chanted accusations of steroid use; Martin defended steroid use for cosmetic purposes as similar to Botox or a facelift. His WWE nickname “Test” is coincidentally slang for testosterone and his fans were affectionately called his Test-icles (”Friend Of ‘Test’ In Shock Over Pro Wrestler’s Death,” March 17).
Prescription drugs including painkillers and steroids were found in Martin’s home, Tampa police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said today.
“We’re awaiting the toxicology report to determine if any of those painkillers and steroids played a role in his death,” McElroy said.
“He was obviously very healthy. The mystery of his death will likely come out in his toxicology report.”
The tragic culture of professional wrestling that involves the use of anabolic steroids, prescription painkillers, muscle relaxants, and alcohol has seen numerous young stars die prematurely. The general public has rushed to identify anabolic steroids as responsible for the death of Andrew J. Martin. The predetermined conclusion that steroids were the culprit the death of Andrew “Test” Martin will undoubtedly persist regardless of the official and actual cause of death.
Representative Henry Waxman isolated anabolic steroids as “the” problem when calling a congressional investigation to examine the steroids in professional wrestling. The unfortunate consequence of such contemporary steroid hysteria is that, in the rush to blame anabolic steroids as the single cause of death, the most significant risk factors are predictably overlooked.
The use of anabolic steroids by professional baseball players is relatively safe especially when compared to the extreme use of anabolic steroid by professional bodybuilders. The idea that anabolic steroids can be used responsibly and safely is categorically refuted by many anti-steroid crusaders in spite of scientifically evidence to the contrary.
“Think about it: medical science has been using steroids safely in a clinical setting for the last 70 years.” Professor Charles Yesalis, steroid expert and epidemiologist at Penn State University, acknowledges that the media has overstated the dangers of steroids, “Anabolic steroids can be used relatively safely, but at even low doses they can have side effects. No drug, supplement, or substance is totally ’safe.’ Heck, you can even overdose on water.”
Modern-day steroid hysteria has so demonized and stigmatized anabolic steroids that many people are convinced that all steroid use is inherently irresponsible. The use of anabolic steroids in moderation to achieve performance enhancing results is impossible according to critics who believe the dangerous side effects far outweigh the potential benefits at any level of use. Some critics believe that even a single instance of steroid use can cause permanent and irreversible health consequences that may even include fatal steroid overdoses.
Baseball player Alex Rodriguez allegedly tested positive for Testosterone and Primobolan (methenolone) in 2003 when he was the American League’s Most Valuable Player according to a Sports Illustrated (SI) report this weekend. The media and public attention has since largely focused on the accusation of steroid use itself rather than the more troubling concerns that government officials may have illegally leaked the name of Alex Rodriguez in violation of a court-imposed gag order. Furthermore, it appears more and more likely that the federal government illegally obtained the testing sample and results in the first place (”A-Rod leak might have been a crime,” February 9).
The judge in the Barry Bonds perjury case could find BALCO prosecutors, investigators or officials in contempt if evidence connects them to the leak of formerly anonymous 2003 Major League baseball drug tests that resulted in allegations that Alex Rodriguez took steroids.
A source familiar with the proceedings between the government and MLB players union said, “It is not possible this was leaked without there being a violation of the law.”
The list of name of 104 MLB baseball players who tested positive for anabolic steroids as part of Major League Baseball’s “non-disciplinary and anonymous” steroid testing in 2003. The seizure of the list and testing samples is the subject of a lawsuit by the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) against the federal government. A gag order has been imposed on all parties involved in the case preventing the leaking of names under the penalty of contempt of court. Read more
The pharmaceutical giant Solvay Pharmaceuticals is unapologetic about its actions aimed at maintaining its monopoly on the phamaceutical testosterone gel Androgel (an anabolic-androgenic steroid). Solvay has “bought off” generic companies who planned to introduce inexpensive, generic versions of Androgel. The generic companies Watson Pharmaceuticals, Par Pharmaceutical, and Paddock Laboratories were prepared to offer a cheap generic testosterone gel as early as 2006 after the FDA granted Watson final approval for its generic product in January 2006. Solvay paid the generic companies a substantial amount of money to delay their entry into the generic Androgel marketplace until 2015.
The threat of generic competition would have decimated Solvay’s sales of Androgel; AndroGel has been their top-selling product with sales exceeding $300 million in 2006 and $400 million in 2007. Generic competition to Solvay’s flagship product Androgel could reduce the price of testosterone gel as much as 90% when compared to brand name Androgel. The payments to delay entry into the generic marketplace aka “pay-for-delay” settlements would be highly profitable for Solvay by extending brand name patent protection for several years. The windfall profits would come at the expense of consumers and federal taxpayers costing them billions of dollars Read more
Phillippe Astin, M.D., the family physician who prescribed anabolic steroids to Chris Benoit in the year prior to the Benoit double murder-suicide, is going to trial on March 16, 2009. Many will be surprised to learn that in the final 175-count federal indictment, there is not a single charge related to anabolic steroids. Press coverage demonized Dr. Phil Astin as the doctor who prescribed steroids to Chris Benoit. If steroids were to blame for the Benoit tragedy, the evil doctor who gave them to Benoit must also be held responsible.
Federal prosecutors, who initially felt the prescribing of steroids was a “major issue” in the Astin case, decided against steroid distribution charges in the revised indictment. Perhaps they concluded, upon the advice of the Georgia Chief Medical Examiner, that there was insufficient evidence to support the illegal prescribing of steroids. Instead, Phil Astin faces charges of distributing and dispensing approximately one million dosage units of painkillers and stimulants classified as controlled substances, including Percocet, Oxycontin, Demerol, Lorcet, Ritalin, Vicodin, Xanax, Klonipin, Methadone, Ritalin, Adderall, Dexedrine and Soma “for other than a legitimate medical purpose and not in the usual course of professional practice. “
The media chose to demonize anabolic steroids while (purposefully) ignoring the fact that the Benoit household was the recipient of almost 15,000 dosage units** of Lorcet, Soma and Xanax prescribed by the dubious Dr. Astin over a 30 month period. This would supply an average of 15 pills per day.
The media’s main storyline, consistent with the contemporary steroid hysteria, revolved around the scientifically unsupported belief that anabolic steroids caused “roid rage” which ultimately resulted in the tragic Benoit murder-suicide. The media was quick to find statements that they could incorporate into this storyline.
![](http://www.mesomorphosis.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/mickey-rourke-in-the-wrestler.jpg "Mickey Rourke character uses anabolic steroids in \")
The steroid witch-hunt has expanded beyond athletes in professional sports to include performers in the entertainment industry. The recent government investigation into the pervasive use of anabolic steroids in the scripted entertainment of professional wrestling marks a departure from their focus on steroids in sports. The results of the investigation into steroid use in professional wrestling were conveniently released immediately prior to the nationwide theatrical release of “The Wrestler” promising to capitalize on the heightened media attention given to steroids in wrestling.
A movie about a professional wrestler who uses anabolic steroids that is played by an actor (Mickey Rourke) suspected of steroid use (with a history, marked by multiple physical altercations along with arrests for spousal abuse and resisting arrest, that lends itself to a roid rage interpretation) provides the perfect opportunity for anti-steroid crusaders to target the use of steroids in the entertainment industry.
There will certainly be much discussion about the parallels between Mickey Rourke and his character, Randy “The Ram” Robinson especially when it comes to steroid use. The discussion about Rourke’s physical transformation will remain in the news with every accolade awarded to “The Wrestler” from the recent Golden Globe awards to possible Oscar awards.
Everyone suspects that Mickey Rourke used steroids to obtain the physique seen in “The Wrestler.” The New York Daily News and Men’s Journal does Read more
In recognition of World AIDS Day, we urge Congressional leaders in the United States to carefully consider the significant harm that morally-guided U.S. steroid policy has had for the life-saving therapeutic applications offered by anabolic-androgenic steroids. The criminalization of anabolic steroids and steroid hysteria perpetuated by Congressional steroid hearings has had an adverse impact on medical research and medical therapies involving anabolic steroids, particularly in the prevention and treatment of HIV+ associated wasting disease.
Anabolic steroids are one of the safest and most effective treatments for HIV associated wasting and have been invaluable in helping HIV+ patients retain, preserve and restore lean body weight and stay alive. Given that wasting is one of the most common symptoms of HIV and that HIV+ patients with wasting symptoms have significantly higher mortality rates, anabolic steroids have been an invaluable medical treatment.
Michael Mooney, of Medibolics, and Nelson Vergel, of the Program for Wellness Restoration, have spearheaded educational efforts and have extensively documented the benefits of anabolic steroid therapy for AID/HIV wasting in “Built to Survive“. Mooney and Vergel have discussed the negative consequences arising from the demonization of steroids by the Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 1990 Read more
Powerlifter Mark Bell, American recordholder and top national competitor in the United Powerlifting Association, has openly admitted to using testosterone, an anabolic-androgenic steroid, since his appearance as a star of the steroid documentary “Bigger Stronger Faster*”. The Sacramento Bee interviewed Mark Bell aka Jackass aka Smelly in a positive profile piece for the newspaper (”Uplifting candor,” December 1).
Such is Bell’s lack of guile that he is one of the few powerlifters – or athletes in any sport, for that matter – who has acknowledged using performance-enhancing drugs. His frankness during interviews in his brother Chris’ documentary “Bigger Stronger Faster,” which drew critical raves, has raised Bell’s profile in the sport.
Actually, his profile was pretty high, anyway. Last month, he set an American record with an 826-pound bench press. He is a two-time winner of the California State Championships in the United Powerlifting Association and will go for a third title Dec. 6 in Concord.
Mark Bell discusses the surprising absence of negative feedback in response to his admission of steroid use in “Bigger Stronger Faster*.” Bell was able to fulfill a lifelong dream during the aftermath of the documentary when he opened the Super Training Gym in Sacramento. Read more
Maricopa County Medical Examiner Vladimir Shvarts, M.D. has added anabolic steroid intoxication as a contributing factor in an accidental fatal drug overdose. The cause of death for Aaron Michael Achley was originally attributed to an accidental overdose of the prescription drugs Xanax (alprazolam) and Oxycontin (oxycodone) in addition to the recreational drug Cocaine.
The family of Aaron Achley, ABC15 Investigative Reporter Josh Berstein and Arizona state investigators pressured the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner to change the official cause of death to include steroids. The medical examiner repeatedly refused to conduct additional testing for steroids. However, the medical examiner apparently relented once Doreen Achley, the victim’s mother, paid to have tissue samples tested by an independent lab (”Autopsy amended to include anabolic steroids,” October 24).
The amended “pathological diagnoses” on Aaron Achley’s autopsy identified the drugs responsible for the accidental fatal “Combined drug intoxication.” This time anabolic steroids (allegedly testosterone obtained from Revolution Medical Center) were a contributing factor to the death.
Jose Canseco admits to health problems resulting from the discontinuation of anabolic steroids in the A&E documentary “Jose Canseco: The Last Shot” premiering Monday night, October 20th.
Jose Canseco, the former baseball superstar who blew the whistle on the game’s steroid scandal, has used steroids himself for the past 24 years. Now Jose wants to finally get clean, but he’s terrified about what may happen when he goes through the process. There has been no medically documented case of someone quitting steroids after using them for so long, and the doctors have different opinions about what Jose will go through physically and mentally. Viewers watch Jose play guinea pig as he tries to end his long addiction.
Canseco has made the decision to permanently stop using steroids for whatever reason. During the documentary, Canseco describes classical post-cessation symptoms of anaboic steroid induced hypogonadism (ASIH) such as low libido and depression (”It’s broke, scared & contrite Jose Canseco in TV documentary,” October 18).
The show also follows Canseco through a series of medical appointments with Santa Monica physician Dr. Brent Michael. Canseco tells Michael he wants to wean himself off steroids for good and restore his testosterone levels, since quitting cold turkey isn’t working.
“I have no sex drive whatsoever. Zero,” says Canseco, who is filmed in one sequence meeting Michael with current girlfriend Heidi Northcott present. Canseco admits to bouts of depression and wanting to be left alone.
Our society has demonized anabolic steroids. The highly politicized steroid hysteria has led the medical community to abandon treatment for the non-prescription steroid user. Our society tells steroid users that it is imperative that they stop using steroids immediately to avoid catastrophic damage to their health. But once they stop using steroids, professionals in the medical community are clueless to the consequences of steroid cessation and are ignorant to the treatment options and necessary post cycle therapy (PCT). Then steroid users like Jose Canseco are ridiculed for the post cycle side effects after discontinuing steroids.
The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office has targeted several unnamed officers from the Trenton Police Department. The State has sent “target” letters to officers suspected of using human growth hormone and/or anabolic steroids; they are being given the option of cooperating, facing a grand jury, or criminal indictment (”Trenton cops served notice that they’re targets of hormone probe,” August 12).
Several police sources, however, said that a handful of cops, some of them ranking officers, have recently received “target” letters asking for their cooperation in the case.
The investigation began with the steroid bust of Florida dentist Dr. Jeffrey Weiser who sold prescriptions for testosterone, human growth hormone (HGH), Deca Durabolin, Winstrol, Oxandrin, Nolvadex and Clomid to bodybuilders on the Internet for $50 per script per medication. Cops from the Trenton Police Department were allegedly clientele of Weiser’s “personal fitness consulting business.”
In 2005, Weiser pleaded guilty to the charges in federal court, and his sales records, seized in the investigation, led to the Trenton officers, according to published reports.
Steven Suarez, a steroid dealer who was busted in April 2008, is thought to be cooperating with authorities in the Trenton cop steroid scandal as well. Read more
Jeffrey Weiser, DDS. was the most popular dentist among bodybuilders for several years even though he never evaluated any patients. Yet he guaranteed to bring a big smile to the faces of his bodybuilding clientele.
Even though Weiser retired from the practice of dentistry in May 2001, he retained his DEA controlled substances registration enabling him to continue writing scripts for prescription medications. Weiser used his DEA license to write prescriptions for various anabolic steroids such as testosterone, nandrolone, oxandrolone and stanozolol; human growth hormone; and ancillary medications such as HCG, Clomid and Nolvadex from July 2001 through October 2004 for clients of his “personal fitness consulting business.”
Weiser advertised his services on various bodybuilding forums and found many customers who felt that they were legally obtaining anabolic steroids. After all, they received a prescription for the bodybuilding medications which they could take to their local pharmacy. There would be no legal risks with a prescription for steroids, would there?
New York Police Department (NYPD) Deputy Chief Michael Marino refused to accept departmental punishment that would dock him 30 days pay and place him on one year probation (”Steroid Cop will fight the rap,” August 15).
Marino was on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for which he obtained a topical testosterone cream from a Lowen’s Pharmacy. Unfortunately, Lowen’s Pharmacy was implicated in a high-profile steroid scandal involving the illegal distribution of anabolic steroids and human growth hormone. The steroid hysteria involving cops on steroids unfairly maligned the media, the public, and NYPD against steroid use for any reason – even legitimate medical reasons.
