Recreational use of steroids and testosterone to enhance image and performance is on the rise. Over the last 70 years, testosterone and testosterone-like substances have been used extensively to enhance performance particularly in elite sports. Nowadays, the use is more widespread and occurs in the general community with far more drugs available to people via the internet. Unfortunately, the evidence users base their drug regimes on range from anecdotal and scant to wrong and dangerous. We discuss the use of testosterone (and other substances) to learn more, identify how we can look after patients who use anabolic steroids, and what risk factors we need to consider.

This is the story of anabolic steroids.

You can listen to Part One of this series here.

Our special guests:

Dr Tim Piatkowski is a senior research fellow at the University of Queensland on image and performance enhancing drugs.

Dr Mair Underwood is a senior lecturer in the School of Social Sciences at the University of Queensland and is an anthropologist of the body.

Professor Ken Sikaris is a chemical pathologist and Director of chemical pathology at Dorevitch pathology.

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Hypogonadism is a medical condition where the body does not produce enough testosterone. This can be primary (testicular failure) or secondary (pituitary or other condition). There are a number of conditions that doctors need to be aware of that can cause hypogonadism.

This is the story of hypogonadism.

Image ref: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/hypogonadotropic-hypogonadism

Our special guests:

Professor Duncan Topliss is a senior endocrinologist and Professor of Medicine at Monash University.

Professor Ken Sikaris is a chemical pathologist and Director of chemical pathology at Dorevitch pathology.

Listen:

This Medical Life podcast is available on all podcasting services and Spotify. Help support us on our donation page.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While testicular cancer is rare, it is the most common cancer in young men aged between 15 and 39 years. Like with every cancer, early detection is the key. Self-examination is important along with seeking medical attention if there are any concerns. Fortunately, overall survival is around 95%.

This is the story of testicular cancer.

Our special guests:

Dr Nari Ahmadi who is a Urologist and coordinator of the Urological Oncology Cancer research at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse.

Professor Peter Grimison who is a Medical Oncologist at the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, VMO at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, and Clinical Professor at the University of Sydney.

Professor Fiona Maclean who an Anatomical Pathologist, Clinical Professor at Macquarie University, and previous President of the Australasian Division of the International Academy of Pathology (IAP).

Listen:

This Medical Life podcast is available on all podcasting services and Spotify. Help support us on our donation page.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.