Difference Between Steroid and Testosterone

Steroids Side Effects

Steroid vs. Testosterone

Two of the most popular terms among fitness enthusiasts are steroids and testosterone. Known for their role in intensively boosting muscular mass, they have become almost a mandatory dose for body-builders and athletes. That is how most people perceive them – as their synthetic and supplemental form. What’s often missed, though, is that steroids and testosterone are organically present in the human body. Steroid is a general classification of fat-soluble organic compounds naturally present and produced in the human body. They are responsible for a wide range of physiological development such as reproductive growth, tissue regeneration, caloric synthesis, etc. Examples of steroids are adrenal and sex hormones. That being said, testosterone becomes just one of the many steroid hormones, particularly from the androgen group. It is primarily secreted in the male testes and female ovaries, performing anabolic (i.e. muscle and bone growth, protein synthesis) and androgenic (i.e. development of masculine properties) functions.

On a more popular notion, steroids and testosterone are often linked to artificial anabolic steroids, or simply anabolic steroids, and are frequently misconstrued to mean same thing. The truth is, they are different in terms of formula and function. Steroids have many types – anabolic steroid in the form of testosterone is just one of them. To clear up the common misconceptions, let’s redefine the two.

Artificial steroids (sometimes called corticosteroids) are drugs intended for a broad array of illnesses that involve inflammation in the body like asthma, arthritis, eczema, and even cancer. Steroids also include sex hormone derivatives used for contraception, hormone problem control/correction, and muscle regeneration. They are administered in several different ways. Ideally, steroids should be applied directly onto the area that needs treating, for instance by inhalation into the lungs for wheezing, or as eye drops for eye inflammation, or as an injection directly into an inflamed joint. Some are ingested as pills or injected into muscles or veins. They also come in forms of eye or nose drops and ‘enema’ to treat bowel conditions. Despite their significant contributions in healing many types of medical problems, steroids may pose long-term side effects if taken in higher doses. Some of these are eye cataracts and glaucoma, muscle weakness, high blood pressure, weight gain, inhibited growth in children, thinning of bones, and skin problems like bruising, acne, and stretch marks.

High Testosterone Side Effects

One of the best-known kinds of steroids is the anabolic steroid, or artificial testosterone. It is originally intended to treat males who have little or no natural testosterone production, but has eventually come to address other conditions like infertility, erectile dysfunction, height growth, anemia, and appetite loss. It has also been used by body-builders and, illegally, by athletes to enhance skeletal muscles, strength, and endurance. There are several administration routes for testosterone. Currently available forms include injectable, oral, buccal, transdermal skin patches, and transdermal creams or gels. Over the years, medical practitioners have identified drawbacks caused by uncontrolled use of the drug. It degrades the immune system, potentially leading to liver damage and even cancer. Since artificial testosterone modulates the brain to limit natural production of the same hormone, it may in the long run cause premature termination of skeletal growth among young users. It may also result in uninhibited aggression, depression, rapid mood swings, and irritation. In terms of reproductive health, high testosterone intake may cause the male testes to shrink, reducing sperm count. In females, on the other hand, it can mess up the menstrual cycle. Adverse effects like weight gain and hair loss may also occur.

Summary

1. Steroids are fat-soluble compounds naturally present and produced in the body. Testosterone is a type of steroid.
2. Artificial steroids are drugs intended to cure inflammatory or hormonal conditions. They come in many forms, one of them being anabolic steroid or testosterone.
3. Artificial testosterone is particularly formulated to address skeletomuscular and reproductive conditions in both males and females.

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