Forget The Mitchell Report. It is Easy to Spot Obvious Steroid Abusers!

Bodybuilding to this extreme is clearly an undiagnosed mental disorder. Who the hell in their right mind would voluntarily increase the size of their skull and simultaneously decrease the size of there testicles? We should officially reference this look as "muscle obesity.”

I'm not sure about this head thing. The stomach growth doesn't come from all steroids but as far as I know only from "human growth hormone" which maks everything in your body growths, not just your muscles. If you want to be that muscular it seems like you have to use this stuff. Being that muscular looks stupid, but with these big bellys it looks even worse.

Anyway, I belive most professional athlets abuse or have abused some kind of steroids in their career.

Why would anyone want to look like that? In what possible way could those bodybuilders have desirable physiques? It's just all about mass, symmetry and aestheticism seems to have gone out the window…

What causes the abdomen to become so bloated? Surely they will have bowel or digestive problems?

Hi Rusty

That´s the ugly truth about most sports today, people destroy their health to win a medal, to have an ugly bloated body, or worse than that, one might never achieve those goals even using steroids. I will never understand that, the main goal in sports should be health, a way of Life with good health. I knew long ago that some steroids enlarge the bone structure and that causes great damage specially in one's back. When they get older if they get there with so many steroids they will pay the price. I've read once that the former sprinter and long jumper Carl Lewis coundn´t even walk anymore cause his back was ruined from steroids, do you know if that is true?

Jeff's comment is very interesting. Body Dismorphic Disorder in the opposite direction — fascinating concept, and I'm sure no less damaging in the long run than anorexia or bulimia. I wonder if these guys also seek a feeling of control?

As a woman, I have to agree, I find none of these guys attractive in the least. Probably super nice people, but not cute. Sorry.

I agree Rusty. The drugs do show in the altered structure of the athlete's body.

I remember attending the Arnold Classic in '95 or '96 (my 1st and last pro bb show) and being awestruck at the size of the competitors. It was as if they weren't real. I met Manfred Hoerbel. The guy's arms were the size of my thighs 25"+.
Many, but not all, of the female body builders and fitness competitors had unusually deep voices. All of the competitors work for their muscle, but the amount of drugs these people use is nuts!

HGH is the primary culprit when observing increased skull mass. It can be seen most prominently above the eyes with a jutting brow and with a broadened massive jaw. Andre the Giant was a good example of this. He had a disease known as acromegaly.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acromegaly
Which causes the pituitary gland to over secrete HGH.

As to the enlarged gut, I have seen many lifters both natural and 'enhanced' with this. I believe that heavy squats, deads, leg presses and any high load exercise that causes eccentric or static loading of the abs while performing trunk flexion will cause this. The drugs may play a factor, but the drug enhanced athletes typically handle higher loads in the above mentioned exercises. These giant bodybuilders are also ingesting a massive volume of food daily, which also disfigures the abdomen. Imagine squatting with heavy weights and a huge load of food in your intestines. It seems like a recipe for a big, but muscular abdomen. If the muscles don't get big and strong, they probably would have hernias.

Bottom line, heavy athletic drug users are easy to spot.

About steroids and other performance enhancing drugs-

When Marion Jones got busted (or any other sprinter ie.Ben Johnson) why don't they test all the sprinters. After all, the second and third place winners are only hundredths of a second second behind the winner. Chances are that all of them are on drugs. Perhaps to compete at that level they need to use roids. Many of today's human performance standards should be questioned.

It seems as though certain athletes are being used as sacrificial lambs. I think that the IOC is scared to have the second and third place winners tested. They don't want to be shamed and lose $$ when certain ad sponsors decide to pull their support. Just look at the fiasco that professional bicycle racing is going through. ie Tour de France Just google 'tour de france drugs'

I find it interesting that the steroid investigations are focused on baseball. In baseball, the performance of a drug user vs. a nondrug user can be fairly close due to the high need for skill (eye hand coordination).
Why don't the investigators start with sports that concentrate on strength and power, which are the main attributes that steroids enhance.

How about checking out the NFL???

Perhaps there is too much money involved? Maybe powerful people don't want to be embarrassed?

Professional Sports ≠ Health

This is a real eye opener. I'm on straight testosterone for medical reasons (I'm middle aged), and since I'm a lifter, I decided to really go for it since I had a "legal" steroid pass from the my doctor. The good news is that I nearly doubled my strength, and in many ways I look like an ex-NFL player who is still in decent shape. But… I have BOTH of the side-effects you talk about here. I call it "spread head," and while my mid-section is hard, it is very thick. So right on, Rusty. My question: can I reverse this? If I stop or cut down on the testosterone, will the spread head and thick gut go away, especially if I keep working hard? Thanks — this could be the advice I've been waiting to hear.
Larry

A response to Eric and Rusty: What about the bodybuilders of the 60's and 70's? Most of them had very respectable waistlines in addition to having beastly builds.

P.S. I've been an avid fan of this site for several months now and enjoy the site very much. It has great information about overall health and fitness which can be added to any lifestyle and not just the "Hollywood" look that's advocated. Keep it coming Rusty!

Helder,

I didn't hear that about Carl Lewis. I'll have to look into that. He was one of my favorite athletes growing up.

Quinn,

I'm sure they start out with good intentions, but the reality sinks in that they have to do steroids to compete with the next guy. I completely agree that these guys look terrible. This look really only impresses young men between the ages of 15-25 for the most part.

Eric,

Very informative comments! Just hearing you talk about massive amounts of food in their intestines while doing squats, makes me want to puke. These guys are going to have problems in the future for sure. Also…they should test the NFL. You KNOW that there are a ton of guys on steroids in the NFL.

Larry,

I think the skull growth is permanent but less pronounced once you go off testosterone. As far as the mid section goes, I believe you could trim that down big time by concentrating on cardio in a major way once you stop taking steroids.

Frough,

Thanks buddy. To me the last normal looking bodybuilder was Steve Reeves or Frank Zane. Frank could still wear jeans and was just really defined for the most part. These guys didn't look bad at all. A lot of people liked the way Arnold looked, but I still consider his look excessive. I do bring up subjects that will help people who want to get bigger as well, it just isn't the main focus. Thanks for being a reader and commenting.

Have a great day everybody!

Rusty

Steve Reeves was the best proportioned bodybuilder to ever walk the planet period. No roids, great genetics no doubt. I aspire to be a leaner version of Reeves.

Thanks for the previous answer, would like to hit you up with another. When I go off the medically-prescribed testosterone, are there any interim remedies I should take (I hear a lot about Clomid) to get my natural test. back up to at least mid-range, hopefully without losing too much of the strength I've added over the 3 years I've been on the prescription? Thank, I value your expertise and appreciate you taking the time.
Larry

That´s it Steve Reeves was the best of all times. I inspire myself on his aesthetics and proportions.

Larry,

I'm not experienced with pharmaceuticals, but the late Dan Duchaine wrote a book called The Underground Steroid Handbook. I think you can pick in up for 5 bucks. He was known as the "Steroid Guru" in the late 80's and early 90's.

Alternatively you can go to places like thebodybuildingdungeon.com or other hardcore forums to get this info. You may want to ask your doctor as well.

Anyway…good luck with getting back to normal!

Rusty

Larry-

Since you say you are middle aged, it sounds like you are taking the testosterone for HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy).

My testosterone was low when I last had a physical. When I asked the Dr. about it, he suggested I try a topical test gel, but did not think it was important for me to have blood work done to find the right dosage. (Red Flag) He suggested coming back in for an office visit without blood work in 6 months. I was excited initially at the thought of having a legal pass too. I used my free samples for 3 weeks and then went to fill my prescription. My insurance wouldn't cover it, and at over $200 per month, I decided not to go for it.

I have plenty of libido (too much according to my girlfriend) and I seem to put on muscle at a decent rate.

The reason I told you my story is to show how my general practitioner Dr. and many other Drs. are prescribing this powerful med. without much caution and care. It seems that more and more your medical care is up to you. You need to manage the Drs. and educate yourself before you accept what they say.

The Dr. that prescribed the testosterone, is he/she an endocrinologist?
Did the Dr. do liver, triglyceride, and hormone blood tests on you regularly?
Did your endocrinologist keep you on test for three years straight?

I am genuinely concerned for you health.

It may benefit you to see (another) endocrinologist. A second opinion will assist you in good decision making.

The only person who can really give you medical advice is a QUALIFIED Dr.

Anyone, no matter how much knowledge they have, is taking your health into their hands by giving you advice.
IF you can accept this, you may find answers on steriod discussion boards, such as the one at http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/ . Always question.
Remember the guys/gals on the forums may or may not know more than your Dr(s). and the answers that anyone gives could be wrong.

If I were you, I would find a good endocrinologist and learn as much as I could on my own using Dan Duchaine's book, The Steroid Bible, and others.

Good luck Larry.

Frough-

Bodybuilders in the 60's-70's took much lower doses and fewer drugs than today's bodybuilders. They also were not using HGH.

Today BB's use all kinds of crap like:
Insulin (very dangerous and powerful)
Steriods (many blends and types)
HGH
Diuretics (I was in the audience at the Arnold Classic 94 or 95, I can't remember and Paul Dillett hit a back double biceps pose and cramped like a statue. 4 or 5 guys picked him up and carried him backstage, stuck in that pose. He was sent to the hospital, and Arnold had to spin it at the question and answer session the next day.)
Thyroid Hormones (speed up fat loss)
Etc.

When people obtain steroids or ANY drug illegally, they never know what they are taking. Even if it works they don't know how much active compound they are getting. (This goes for party drugs too.)

There are huge counterfeit drug businesses selling steroids, insulin, and other injectables which may not even be sterile. I have read a case history of a steroid user who almost had to have his leg amputated, due to unsterile steriods.

The best answer is to stay healthy and happy as naturally as possible.

PS Just because something is natural, it does not mean it is healthy. Cobra venom is natural, but it WILL kill you. Death is also natural, but we should try to avoid it.

Eric,

Incredible comments as always. Thanks for giving great advice and good solid info to these guys.

Rusty

Note: Eric just started a new blog, and I'm sure it will grow into a great resource for fitness, health, and nutrition. Make sure and visit and get the whole "comment" thing rolling. We LOVE reader interaction!

http://yourdaystartshere.com/Eric/

HGH makes your hands grow so that they look like shovels, and your head grow, so that the jaw expands and you end up with gaps between the teeth.

Nice.

Hey. Great site. I am wondering if you could do an image search for "Vernon Gholston" online? He is a defensive end for Ohio State and opposing fans all claim he is an obvious steroid user. I am just curious as to what your opinion would be after looking at some of his picture.

Note: I am a fan of Ohio State, but an honest answer won't offend me

Jason,

I have to be honest…he is "most likely" a steroid user. I am really skeptical when a guy this young has such incredible lean mass. If you told me he was 28-30, I would maybe give him the benefit of the doubt. It is nearly impossible for a guy at the age of 20-21 years old to display this much muscle mass. He also has a slight "spread head" thing going on and his midsection looks a bit thick for how lean he looks…you can see a six pack, but he has a really thick mid section.

I can tell that this guy would probably be a monster even without roids. He is an amazing physical specimen. I wish they would test these guys. Wouldn't it suck it this guy was just a genetic freak and put on all this muscle naturally and people were accusing him of doing steroids?

I'm 90% sure he is a steroid user, but I'm not 100% certain like I am with many of the professional athletes. Sorry I can't give you a 100% "yes" or "no" answer.

I would hate to play opposite this guy!

Rusty

what about mike tyson?i seen pics of him and he has a freaking big head.and when he went to prison for rape ,he came out weighing 195.and like 3 months later he was 235 fighting again

Mike Tyson is capable of anything! He bit off a guys ear, has a huge head, is psycho, and "yes" probably uses steroids.

Rusty

no one should ever us steroids.my room mate talked me into doing a 6 week cycle about 7 months ago.propianate was the name of it.well i stoped after the 6 weeks and 7 months later i have low testosterone.my doctor said it was because steroids turn off your own bodys natrual testosterone.wish i would have known that.now the doctor put me on more steroids cause mines so low.i hate it makes me ill,i have a really bad temper now.im stopping all of this stuff.i read if you get on testosterone boosters it will help.im never taking this shit again.neither should anyone else.im getting my doctor to take me off all these steroids and im going to fast for like 30 days.i hope it will clean out my body and ill start making my own testerone again.

Shane,

Yeah…I have heard of really nasty side effects. A guy in my gym was telling me that during sex he would have an orgasm, but no fluid would be released (sorry about mentioning this…I just want people to know it isn't smart to mess with this stuff).

Go cold turkey and you will eventually gain back the ability to produce testosterone again.

Rusty

HOPE THIS PIC UP LOADS,ITS ABIG OF AN OLD TIME STRONG MAN.THIS IS FROM LIKE 1918 LONG BEFORE STEROIDS.THESE GUYS DID ALOT OF KETTLE BALL TRAINING.WHATS FUNNY IS HE LOOKS AWESOME,AND I WOULD BET ANYTHING HE'D BEAT ALL THESE BIG STEROID USERS ASS'S:).LOL

Taken from http://www.somatropin.net/hgh-sideeffects.htm

"Extended Belly
When used as a bodybuilding drug, HGH can cause a bodybuilder to have an extended belly if the drug is not used as directed. However, this defect is rare in users who take the drug as directed."

Joe,

Yet another reason NOT to take steroids. NASTY!

Rusty

Wow… I could barely finish reading this article (too many disturbing pics)
Hey does Shawn Michaels take steroids? he's pretty small compared to other guys.

I was 'googling' for fitness articles and found this.

http://munfitnessblog.com/steroid-and-testicles-shrinkage/

Surely the steroid freaks must see some light. Don't they care about the future generation?

Another BIG reason why steroids are BAD!!

99 percent of what has been stated here is wrong. im not going to get into detail but if you have never taken hormones correctly under doctor supervision you have no room to comment. Those commenting about Steve reeves are wrong as well. He as not drug free the drug dbol was around for a good 10 years before he even compteted. Its just the guys during the 60s and 70s didn't abuse steroids like todays guys.

also everyone keeps brining up names of steroid abusers not doing it under doctor supervision. Take some one like sly stalone. Guy has been on steroids for a good 40 years now and still looks and feels better then 99 percent of guys 65. You need to know what your doing and how to do them or they can be dangerous. It amazes me how all these myths of steroids causing internal organs to expand thats y bodybuilders look pregnant. NO!!! Its the insulin they take, insulin although a extremely powefull muscle builder also stores fat and abusers will have a pregnant look.

and to the guy that said he took testerone for 6 weeks and was suprised he couldnt produce testerone anymore. See thats what gives steroids a bad name, you had no clue what you were doing and blame the drug and not ur lack of knowledge. Any one that even has the slightest clue about steroids will tell you, after 2 weeks of testerone your natural testone shuts down, and once you come off its going to be awhile before it comes back. Thats why many users take other stuff to get it back quick, and cycle the correct way. Steroids are dangerous in the hands of people that don't have knowledge, steroids are safe with people under doctor supervision living healthy lifes. Its a shame a few bad apples gave these life saving hormones for some people a bad name and are controlled as much as a drug like heroin and coke!!

also a lil news flash for everyone that has posted. You are all on steroids and growth hormones for the past 20 years. Have you drank milk? have you eating any form of meet in past 20 years? Guess what your meat is filled with the same hormones your mocking others for taking. Dont believe me trace back to where your meat comes from and see what they are injecting the cows and other animals with that you eat. Stop being so judgmental of others lifes when in fact your are taking the same hormones these athletes are taking, at least their taking them to peruse something they feel passionate about.

doop,

You have strong opinions here. I don't agree 100%, but I do respect your opinions. You certainly sound knowledgeable on the subject. I am not a fan of any type of steroid use, even under supervision. That being said…I do like your passion on the subject. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

Rusty

no problem cool site. I didnt mean to sound so hars, sum did say correct info, but it gets anoyin sometimes seeing people post stuff they dont know about like a few people did.

doop,

I appreciate your insights and you sound like you have "real world" knowledge on this. Keep reading…I appreciate it when people give their opinions.

Have a great one!

Rusty

DOOP,
WELL IM JUST GIVING MY STORY ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO ME.ANYWYAS NO LEGIT DOC WOULD PUMP YOU UP ON STEROIDS ANYWAYS.IVE BEEN OFF FOR ABOUT 1 YR AND STILL HAVE LOW TEST,AS A MATTER OF FACT 4 OF MY FRIENDS WHO WERE STROID USERS ALSO HAVE A VERY LOW TEST LEVEL.I WAS ON TEST FROM MY DOC BUT I DONT LIKE THE WAY IT MAKES ME FEEL.HAVE YOU EVER DONE STEROIDS?IF SO HOW MUCH DID YOU USE?LOOK UP THE GOLDING AGE OF STRONGMEN THE GUYS WHO LIVED IN LATE 1800S DIDNT USE STEROIDS AND THEY LOOK BAD ASS,TRUE WORRIORS.ANYWAYS I HOPE PEOPLE USE PROPER DIET AND A GOOD WORKOUT REGIMEN TO GET THE BODY THEY WANT.GENETICS PLAY A BIG FACTOR IN IT AS WELL.WITH NO STEROIDS AND LOW TEST IM STILL BENCHING OVER 400 AND WALK AROUND WITH 17 1/2 ICH ARMS AND A 31 INCH WAIST.I AGREE SOME GUYS NEED STEROIDS OR THEYLL NEVER GROW,SOME DONT THO.I USE RUSTYS PHILOSOPHY NOW AND AM STRONGER AND HAPPIER THEN EVER,THANKS AGAIN RUSTY:)

shane#1,

Dang buddy! I have never seen a guy with a 31" waist bench 400 pounds. Normally it is guys with 38-42 inch waists hoisting that type of weight. That is impressive for sure. Try no to be too hard on "doop", he seems like a good guy who just got worked up. I'm not a fan of steroids at all, but I don't mind posting apposing view points.

It sounds like you are making great progress!

Rusty

Think Carrot Top juiced?

Ron,

That is a seriously funny question. I have been out of the "Carrot Top" loop for a while! I did a Google Image Search and was shocked. I may need to do a post on this! He looks crazier than ever!

They should call him Carrot Juice, because the juicing levels are insane. He also needs to put pants back on if he want to lift! This is the stuff nightmares are made of!

Crazy, crazy, crazy!

Rusty

who cares if these guys use roids it isnt your body,are you paying there medical bills,i take steroids and have for 5 years and this doesnt scare me or change my mind.it,s the same crap you do to women about abortion.its ours bodies to do with as i please,and the girls i know think i look good as hell.

I have always believed that bodybuilding should not only be about puttng on muscular size, but promoting good health in general. Today's monster-sized, juiced up bodybuilders, men and women are freaks that cause people to stare in disbelief and shock. Many BB seem to suffer from body-dysmorphic disorder…what they see and what others see are two different things. I cannot understand why being "most" massive is the determinent of how good you look? A person can be smaller in actual mass and look way better, not to mention be in better health. If you are juiced up…you are no better than the common crack whore or heroine junkie….END OF STORY…and you look like hell…not to mention the destryed condition of your insides. I hate steroids! Only a nut would use them!

What about NBA players Don`t see too many that are like that but what about lebron james certainly when he first came in the league at 18 years he was incredibly massive, especially his HEAD what do you think

That is just NOT true. There is SO MUCH BS going around about HGH, 99% of it baloney someone overheard at the gym.

Hey Phil Gill

When youre steroids effects another body in YOURS, then you can compare steroid use with abortions. Until you can give birth TO ANOTHER HUMAN BEING, please stop with the comparisons.

While I have never studied bodybuilding or the psychological aspects of it, bodybuilders seem to suffer to one degree or another the same type of body image issues that anorexic or bulimic women suffer, just in reverse.

In my opinion neither body type, super bulky or super thin, is appealing. There is NOTHING about these big ,pumped up guys that is sexy and they don't age gracefully either.

i think HGH is the cause of their thick stomach, not steroid. coz HGH make their internal organs (including skull) bigger.
But we can see their nipple , there is a little "cute" gyno . The other sign of steroid user

====sorry for my bad english====

Hey, great post. At present, most of the people are using steroids. I think this leads very dangerous to health. Some people are using drug for body or muscle building. Some of the people who are used steroids, are suffering with cancer.

I hate anyone who has ever touched steroids. They always think they're the shi t and that everyone else is weak when it is really them who are the weak ones mentally and as soon as they stop doing it physically as well. Whenever you walk by one they always have that look like they think they're better than you or want to fight you, and it's a vicious cycle because I'm sure they were bullied by previous steroid users so they started doing it themselves. I think it's one of the most despicable things a human male can do. It pisses me off that it's so widely available too it's like wtf are there that many people with low testosterone in this world that they manufacture the shit out of it and turn a blind eye that they're creating legions of gorilla sized assholes? I feel like I'm going crazy because I see such a supportive and enabling atmosphere for these people on the internet on bodybuilding sites with forums just for tips on doing steroids. WTF? And then people like doop come on here and defend it because it's okay that these athletes and bodybuilders are using it because "they're pursuing their dreams" give me a break. And if it was so prevalent in food and milk then we would have some deep voiced elementary school kids walking around wouldn't we? Why don't you just drink lots of milk then so you can look like your hero (gay crush) arnold.

Anabolic steroids are very effective and safe if used responsibly and properly! As far as the big skull and large distended stomachs go, that is indicative of HGH abuse, NOT steroid abuse!!! FYI: Carrot Top is not a juicer. He still appears rather scrawny to me!

Whatever, Matt Anderson, obvious steroid user. So you've been getting great results? Just like the "great results" that cocaine gave when doctors would prescribe it 100 years ago. "Wow doc, i feel great now thanks."

Stick with your own testosterone, you know the one your body produces naturally. No one likes fakes. No one likes cheaters. It's like the girl who discovers makeup and lets it go to her head, believing that her new look is "the real her"

I know for a fact all pro bodybuilders are on steroids, along with many professional athletes but this is not from steroid abuse. Growth hormone is the only product that makes your bone structure and internal organs grow. So that could explain a larger stomach appearance even with low body fat. However in this case growth hormone would have to have been taken regularly for at least two years or more to be this noticeable. For example, Bary Bonds shoe size went from 11 to 13 in his period of HGH abuse along with his hat size increasing as well.
Steroid abuse will make a person much bigger but these results are short term and the body will return to it's original size in time, even if that person continues to work out. Also know that a person on steroids may not gain any muscle if they do not exercise regularly. They would most likely gain "fat" and retain water. Steroid abuse may cause your hairline to reseed making your head appear bigger but this is deception. Again if this happens it would have happened to you eventually. Steroids bring this on quicker just as they build and repair muscle much quicker. Again this depends on the amount of steroids one takes.

Thank you for you post Dr. Jon as there are way to many ppl that tell everyone what steroids so yet actually they have no idea for themselves. Im sure these ppl are the same ones taking every new product GNC carries because its new and good for….wrong…atleast there has been research done steroids versus the latest fad on the market….educate yourselves ppl….stop listening to the media