Anabolic steroid course

Lesson 1 • Endogenous Testosterone Physiology

Explains natural testosterone biosynthesis, secretion, and regulation via the HPG axis. Grounds exogenous steroid effects in normal endocrine physiology.

Lesson 2 • Classification of Anabolic Steroids

Categorises compounds by origin, delivery route, and structural class. Enables precise identification and comparison of agents encountered in clinical or research settings.

Lesson 3 • Steroid Chemistry Fundamentals

Covers the four-ring steroid backbone, functional group modifications, and naming conventions. Connects molecular structure to biological activity throughout the chapter.

Lesson 1 • Anabolic Effects on Muscle and Bone

Quantifies steroid-driven increases in nitrogen retention, satellite cell activation, and bone mineral density. Connects molecular mechanisms to measurable physiological outcomes.

Lesson 2 • Androgen Receptor Biology

Details androgen receptor structure, tissue distribution, and ligand-binding domain function. Establishes the molecular basis for all subsequent pharmacological discussions.

Lesson 3 • Non-Genomic Signalling Effects

Examines rapid, receptor-independent steroid actions on cell membranes and second messengers. Complements genomic pathways to explain acute physiological responses.

Lesson 4 • Genomic Signalling Pathways

Covers nuclear translocation, DNA binding, and androgen response element activation. Links receptor activation to protein synthesis and muscle hypertrophy outcomes.

Lesson 1 • Half-Life and Dosing Intervals

Applies half-life calculations to determine dosing frequency for stable blood levels. Directly informs clinical administration schedules and detection window estimates.

Lesson 2 • Hepatic Metabolism and Esterases

Details cytochrome P450 metabolism, ester hydrolysis, and phase II conjugation reactions. Explains hepatotoxicity risk differences between oral and injectable compounds.

Lesson 3 • Distribution and Protein Binding

Examines volume of distribution, SHBG binding, and tissue partitioning of anabolic steroids. Explains why free hormone fraction determines biological activity.

Lesson 4 • Excretion and Detection Windows

Covers urinary and biliary excretion pathways and metabolite persistence timelines. Foundational for anti-doping science and clinical monitoring protocols.

Lesson 1 • Muscle Wasting and Cachexia Treatment

Examines anabolic steroid use in HIV wasting, cancer cachexia, and sarcopenia management. Demonstrates life-quality benefits that justify therapeutic risk-benefit analysis.

Lesson 2 • Delayed Puberty and Growth Disorders

Reviews short-course anabolic steroid protocols for constitutional delayed puberty and growth failure. Addresses paediatric dosing caution and epiphyseal plate risk.

Lesson 3 • Anaemia and Haematopoietic Applications

Explains erythropoietic stimulation by anabolic steroids in aplastic anaemia and renal anaemia. Contextualises historical and current use alongside modern alternatives.

Lesson 4 • Hypogonadism and Testosterone Replacement

Covers diagnosis criteria, formulation selection, and monitoring parameters for testosterone replacement therapy. Anchors therapeutic use in endocrine clinical practice.

Lesson 1 • Cardiovascular Adverse Effects

Examines dyslipidaemia, left ventricular hypertrophy, and thrombotic risk associated with anabolic steroid use. Identifies the highest-impact risk category for long-term users.

Lesson 2 • Hepatotoxicity and Liver Effects

Details cholestasis, peliosis hepatis, and hepatocellular carcinoma risk from oral alkylated steroids. Distinguishes injectable from oral hepatic risk profiles.

Lesson 3 • Psychological and Behavioural Effects

Reviews mood dysregulation, aggression, dependence, and withdrawal syndromes associated with anabolic steroid use. Prepares students for psychiatric risk assessment.

Lesson 4 • Endocrine and Reproductive Effects

Covers HPG axis suppression, testicular atrophy, infertility, and gynaecomastia development. Directly relevant to post-cycle recovery and fertility counselling.

Lesson 1 • Urine and Blood Sample Collection

Details chain-of-custody procedures, sample integrity requirements, and collection protocols. Ensures understanding of procedural validity in anti-doping adjudication.

Lesson 2 • Prohibited List and Exemptions

Reviews the criteria for placing substances on prohibited lists and the therapeutic use exemption process. Bridges science with regulatory decision-making frameworks.

Lesson 3 • Analytical Testing Methodologies

Explains gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography, and immunoassay platforms used in doping control. Establishes technical literacy for result interpretation.

Lesson 4 • Emerging Detection Challenges

Surveys designer steroids, microdosing strategies, and gene doping as evolving anti-doping frontiers. Prepares students to anticipate future detection science needs.

Lesson 1 • HPG Axis Suppression and Recovery

Quantifies suppression depth by compound, dose, and duration, and models natural recovery timelines. Establishes the physiological rationale for structured post-cycle intervention.

Lesson 2 • Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators

Covers SERM pharmacology, dosing protocols, and evidence for HPG axis stimulation in post-cycle recovery. Directly applicable to clinical and harm-reduction counselling.

Lesson 3 • Aromatase Inhibitors in Recovery

Examines aromatase inhibitor use to manage estrogen rebound and support testosterone recovery. Balances estrogen suppression benefits against bone and lipid risks.

Lesson 4 • Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Use

Explains hCG's role in maintaining testicular function during and after steroid cycles. Addresses timing, dosing, and risks of hCG-based recovery strategies.

Lesson 1 • Professional Reporting and Documentation

Covers mandatory reporting obligations, medical record documentation standards, and confidentiality limits. Ensures professionals meet legal and ethical documentation requirements.

Lesson 2 • Prescribing Ethics and Informed Consent

Applies bioethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence to anabolic steroid prescribing. Guides clinicians in obtaining valid informed consent.

Lesson 3 • Legal Classification and Scheduling

Surveys controlled substance scheduling frameworks and their implications for prescribing and possession. Provides jurisdiction-neutral understanding of regulatory logic.

Lesson 4 • Sports Integrity and Fair Play

Examines the ethical foundations of anti-doping policy and the spirit-of-sport rationale. Connects scientific knowledge to values-based arguments in competitive athletics.