Nandrolone is an anabolic steroid that is usually prescribed to treat anemia in adult patients. It has also been used to combat certain types of breast cancer and to increase bone mass in patients with osteoporosis. In the body, nandrolone mimics the action of the hormone testosterone. It stimulates bone and muscle growth and increases the mass of red blood cells. The risk of serious, sometimes life-threatening side effects is high with steroids like nandrolone, so doctors are extremely careful when prescribing the drug and monitoring patients' responses.
Anabolic steroids work by supplementing the function of androgenic hormones like testosterone. They speed up the rate of protein synthesis within many different types of body cells, including bone, blood, and muscle cells, thereby increasing their mass. Patients who suffer from anemia benefit from the increases in the amount of hemoglobin and the size of red blood cells. Bigger cells with more hemoglobin allow for more oxygen to be transported from the lungs to the rest of the body in the bloodstream.
Nandrolone is given by injection into deep muscle tissue, usually into one of the gluteal muscles. The amount and frequency of each dosage depend on the age, gender, and condition of the patient. Most adult male patients with chronic anemia receive weekly 100 to 200 milligram injections, while women usually take 50 to 100 milligrams each week. When nandrolone is prescribed for a child or teenager, monthly 25 to 50 milligram dosages are typically indicated.
Many adverse side effects can occur when taking nandrolone for anemia, since the drug acts on more than just blood cells. Female patients may develop male characteristics such as increases in body hair, deepening voices, and acne on the face and chest. Males might see an increase in breast size and shrinking testicles. In addition, steroids can impact proper liver and kidney functioning, leading to potentially serious complications. Muscle tissue around the heart may also be affected, which can cause a spike in blood pressure and possibly induce heart attacks.
Since nandrolone and other anabolic steroids are so effective at increasing muscle mass, the drugs are occasionally abused by bodybuilders and athletes who are looking for a quick advantage over their competition. The side effects and long-term health risks of taking steroids far outweigh the short-term advantages of building muscles. In order to protect athletes, nearly every professional and amateur sports organization in the world includes nandrolone in their lists of banned performance enhancing substances.
