But, assuming that you have a relationship with your son that is at least respectful, the ideas outlined above are useful: Advise him that he may lose his hair, suffer from acne, gain wait, and/or lose potency. He’ll worry about that, but may not believe you because he has a friend that says otherwise. Besides, he thinks he’s different,immortal, and destined to be a great professional athlete [fill in your choice of sport].

Perhaps better, show him the futility of using steroids. Mark McGwire is a good [bad] example. McGwire was arguably a Hall of Famer before he used steroids — except that we don’t know when he started using them. And, we don’t accept his story because his credibility is gone.

But steroids made it possible for McGwire to hit a baseball further than others, more often than others. It assured him a place in baseball’s Hall of Fame, if the steroid issue had not surfaced. However, when steroid use became known, McGwire became forever tainted. The issue is not settled, but I do not believe that he will gain entry to Cooperstown. At the very least, his greatness is forever diminished in the baseball world!

So, it was futile for McGwire to use steroids. Once known, such use denied McGwire the greatness he sought. Why then would your son want to emulate McGwire in his use of steroids?

Finally, then, your guidance to your son must start when he is young, before he has heard of steroids. If you have developed a good relationship, he will listen when it is important.

Reference the question on steroids for teenagers and older adults:

Growth hormone levels start falling in adults after the age of 45. Testosterone falls in men as well as in women and female hormones in women also drop. In order for the body to function properly as we get older hormones should be supplemented.

On the other hand supplementation with steroids as is the case with anabolic hormones (testosterone primarily) can be dangerous to normal healthy people like teenagers.

Anabolic hormones will shut down the normal production of hormones in the body as well as well as lead to many side effects such as the ones you mention (acne,hair loss, etc.) to include the impairment of the bodies immune system, and impairment of liver function, castration effect (testes essentially shut down), not to mention the side affects of injections that are not sterile, etc, etc.

Naturally as we know companies and people selling the anabolic hormones will deny all of the bad side effects because they are in business to make money.

What’s important is that parents explain these facts to their teenagers very carefully, with the help of a knowledgeable family or sports physician as you suggest. And as you suggest subtly pointing out health or appearance horror stories might get your kids or grand kids attention.

Thanks for the good work you are doing.

Dr. SB, MD,
Basel, Switzerland.

Response to B David:
Regarding your question about steroid use for senior citizens.

Like most issues in American society this one too is clouded with varying opinions and even controversary.Some reputable physicians call for testosterone replacement therapy in senior adults and even recommend human growth hormone replacement. These same physicians call for balancing or replacing hormones in men and woman as they age.

Other reputable physicians believe that testosterone replacement therapy is ill advised especially when a moderate or high PSA score is prevalent. They also worry that testosterone replacement therapy might encourage prostate cancer.

I suggest you speak to your family physician, a physician that specializes in the elderly, a sports medicine physician, or a physician that specializes in longevity. The Life Extension Foundation is a source of information. http://www.LEF.ORG

Our advice is to eat correctly, supplement your diet with nutriments, get adequate rest, try to lower your stress, stay mentally, spiritually and physically active, and exercise. Much like your grand kids are doing.

Remember you are never too old to be a role model.

Thoughtful comments from experts or from those with experience are appreciated.

Dr. John Morgan

“Years ago a teenage family friend blew up to 290 lbs. Yes, 290 lbs. He suffered from mood swings and body image issues. Today as a successful executive he still has trouble controlling his weight.”

Another reader asked, What are the alternatives to steroids?

My comments:
Weight training using what is known as compound exercises such as squats, bent over rows, dead lifts, bench press, shoulder press, pullovers, pull ups or chins, barbell curls and parallel bar dips. The coach at school should have knowledge of sport specific exercises. Your teen might cycle his (her) training week to week. The first week using heavy weights in the 6 to 8 repetition range and the next week lighter weights or more moderate weights in the 12 to 15 repetition range.

Your teen might consider supplementing with weight gain protein powders and ready to drink protein drinks or bars, and creatine, glutamine, arginine supplementation and a good vitamin/mineral supplement.
Lay off fast food and eat primarily a clean diet of 6 or 7 small meals or snacks a day. The snacks should be nutrient dense and not fat laden junk food.

The idea is to train hard and properly, then rest and recover from the training with proper diet, supplementation and sleep, then after recovering and growing stronger, train again only after this process is complete. (Train, recover, grow stronger, train again.) If your teenager follows a similar program they should outpace the other athletes without the discipline and tenacity to persevere and train hard.

This protocol is difficult. That is why teenagers and many professional athletes look for an edge with illegal steroids.

Hopefully this information provides parents, teachers, coaches and mentors with more information to engage your teen in subtle guided discussions.

Best wishes, Dr. John Morgan

Also it was not clear that the guy that weighted 290 was on steroids. I assumed so. Is the fact that he is still having weight control problems because he is on steroids.

What about the use of steroids for older people. Helpful, or not??

Thanks for your cautionary advice as to the potential problems steroids may cause in youth.

BD