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Do Steroids Used For Bone Growth Has Lasting Impact On Bone Cells?

Posted on Tue, 21 Apr 2015

Question: Dear doctor,

I had some short course anabolic steroid when I was in teen years to boost growth.

I understand the steroids contribute to bone growth by creation of new cells. I found that some bone cells live for fifty years! Does this mean the steroid has had a lasting impact due to helping synthesise fifty year old bone cells (when I was 14, so those cells should be replaced when I'm 64!) is this accurate? Please advise, thanks and best regards

Answered by Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Now you have no effect of those anabolic steroids

Detailed Answer:

Hi
Thanks for your query

I'm Dr Sudhir Kumar

I have gone through your query and understand your concern. Bone cell life is 25-30 years. Analgesic steroid effect last for not more than 6 months. There side effects may also appear upto 3 years. There is no difference between cells formed under influence of anabolic steroids or otherwise. So it is unlikely to be any effect after 3 year. Bone cell are likely to be replaced after 25 years means when you are nearly 40 years of age. You need nothing to worry. Now you have no effect of those anabolic steroids.

You can discuss with your doctor about it.

Hope your query get answered. If you have any clarification then I will be happy to help you.

Wishing you a good health.
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (13 hours later)

Thanks Dr XXXXXXX for your valued advice.

It matters to me alot because it means the steroids is directly responsible for some of these cells, which otherwise not been present without steroids. And now these cells are still here today. This makes me very sad.

For example a factory produces 100 donuts. We upgrade the machinery and as result 150 donuts are being produced. This means the 'upgrade' is responsible for the extra 50 donuts.

If possible kindly could you clarify more. Thanks and Best Regards , XXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Anabolic effect is a good effect.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
More cells formation is good effect of steroid. These cells are no different from normal cells formed without steroid. These are called anabolic effect and are good. Side effects ( bad effects) which are less with anabolic steroid as compared with normal steroid are osteoporosis, avascular and decreased immunity. These effects can maximum seen upto 2-3 years. We are worried about these effects of steroid.So you are not likely to have these effects now. Your cells formed under influence of steroid are no difference from normal cells.Steroid are dangerous due to there other effects not anabolic effect ( more cells formation). So no need to worry. As other effects of steroid is no more there.
You can discuss with your doctor about it.
Everything else already discussed.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
https://www.bit.ly/askdrsudhirortho

Wishing you good health
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (17 minutes later)

Thank you Dr XXXXXXX for valued advice,

Does this mean the 'good effects' of steroids is still around in my body today? This means steroid has had long lasting effect (even though good) ?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are correct to some extent.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
Good effect are also gradually not persistent because body try to compensate for excess cell formation by less cells formation once these are stopped so even good effect also not long lasting . But you are correct to some extent in the sense one can develop larger body size ( more height ) due to taking anabolic steroids during growth period then these effects are permanent. Other effects such as muscle building and stronger bones these effects are faded in nearly 2-3 years after stopping these.
Everything else already discussed.

Wishing you good health
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (3 hours later)

Thanks Dr XXXXXXX

I dont mind if effects are permenant ie height is permanent - if at cellular level things are renewed. When i read some bone cells remain for 25 years this got me depressed. this means maybe i have to wait 25 years from time i took steroids to feel normal :(

Answered by Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
There is no effect at cellular level now.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
You have no effect at cellular level now. So Donot worry.
Everything else already discussed.

Wishing you good health
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (14 minutes later)

You mentioned before because it was take during growth period, the cells formed are permanent - because its normal growth.

And in bodybuilders for example the good growth effects are not long lasting because its not normal growth.

i wish i didnt take steroids when i was younger

Best Regards
XXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Effect should not last for more than 3 years.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
The good or bad effect of steroid last not more than 3 years after stopping to take them. So In body builder if they stop taking steroids then gradually the changes reverse towards normal. If someone take steroid during growth period it may lead to change in height which is permanent otherwise other effects are gradually reverse towards normal.

Everything else already discussed.

Wishing you good health
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (30 minutes later)

Ok one last interesting question,

When bodybuilder's stops the steroids and starts reversing back to normal, which cells are lost - older ones or the newly formed ones from the steroids?

Thanks and all my best

Answered by Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Older cells are generally lost first.,

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
Older cells are generally destroyed first.
Everything else already discussed.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.

Wishing you good health
Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (43 minutes later)

Dear Dr XXXXXXX

I have been happy with your valued advice.
Just briefly , why is the older ones lost first? Is it a genetic communications thing? And how is it known the age of them...is there some sort of 'tag' ?

Sorry for inconvenience. I will close after this. All my best

Regards,
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Sudhir Kumar (38 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Older cells are likely to die first .

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome back
Every cell has its lifespan and after this it die and replaced by new cells.Similar to older persons are likely to die first ,older cells are likely to die first. It is said to be due to accumulation of toxins etc.
Everything else already discussed.

Wishing you good health
Take care

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T