Steroids and Your Blood (Part 2)
Glucose is not normally a concern for the weight trainer, but should be as some medicines can affect blood sugar levels adversely, as well as the fact that a weight trainer will take in more carbohydrates than a normal person, raised levels can indicate onset of diabetes.
Aspartate transferase; An enzyme primarily for the heart and liver, a raised level usually an indication of hepatitis associated with viruses or alcohol, but can also be caused by tissue breakdown of skeletal muscle (as in heavy weight training), normal levels hit 45.
Alaine Transferase; Alcohol abuse and viruses will increase the levels of this enzyme found present in the liver. Also diseases can increase the count such as Sarcoidosis and the normal count being 40, is normally higher in men.
Alkaline Phosphatase is one of the enzymes that is found in our liver and our bones and its average range can vary on whether our bones are growing or not, so it tends to increase as we get older. Body builders will only experience increased levels if they use growth hormone in their cycle and it is advisable to inform your GP, otherwise you might be diagnosed as having bone disease. The normal average range found present in a fully grown adult is between 30 and 95.
Another enzyme that tends to have a high rate in body builders is Creatine Phosphatase, whereas a high rate in a less active person would indicate kidney disease, a muscular injury or acute injury. A doctor may look suspiciously on your high levels although only probably due to the 500lb dead lift you did the day before, where as my elevated levels would be due to the supplement I take with creatine monohydrate. The average rate is 225.
BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) levels is another good one as elevated levels (normal 9 - 24) can indicate a high protein intake or excessive protein breakdown (Duh! Remind the Doctor about the 3 - 4 whey protein or protein isolate powder preparations you take in a day). Now this is one where your Doctor needs to be reminded that as a heavy weight trainer you will be taking lots more protein than the normal or sedentary person.
There is a 17-alpha-alkylated chemical attached to most oral steroids, which keeps the liver from destroying the active ingredients once it passes through. This of course causes wear and tear (like the wear and tear on your mouth you would expect chewing glass-fiber chewing gum) so if you have a potential for liver problems avoid oral anabolics that have been 17-alpha-alkylated treated. If in doubt buy the Layman’s Guides I and II to find a more liver friendly anabolic stack.
