Demystifying Steroid Testing: Types, Side Effects, & More
Anabolic steroids, both the perceived risk and actual use, have fluctuated over the years, much in part due to stories of professional athletes and their steroid usage. However, in recent years, a significant number of professional athletes have faced penalties due to their illicit steroid use, reflecting the fact that, in many cases, these substances are illegal.
Test Smartly Labs presents this comprehensive guide to help you comprehend steroids, their various types, potential adverse effects, and the available testing solutions in Kansas.
What Are Steroids and Anabolic Steroids?
Steroids are organic compounds that are characterized by their structures which contain four connected cycloalkane rings. Some common steroids that are naturally produced by the body includes:
- Cholesterol
- Progesterone
- Estradiol
- Testosterone
- Cortisol
Various steroids have a wide variety of functions including synthesizing and breaking down tissue, reducing inflammation, and acting as signaling molecules to transmit messages around the body’s systems.
Anabolic steroids, in particular, are a specific class of steroids that function in the building up of tissue.
Examples of anabolic steroids that occur naturally in the human body include testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and nandrolone. The most common anabolic steroid is testosterone.
Due to the tissue-synthesizing properties of testosterone, individuals have abused this steroid, as well as its synthetically derived counterparts which mimic testosterone’s function of muscle growth. Anabolic steroids also generate masculine features and testosterone is a key male sex hormone.
What Are Synthetic Steroids?
Synthetic steroids which encompass a large component of those that are illegally used are chemically modified versions of testosterone and the other natural anabolic steroids. These synthetic steroids can artificially induce similar effects on the body including muscle growth and can be abused in much higher quantities than the body would naturally produce.
Some of the most commonly used synthetic steroids include:
- Dianabol (Methandrostenolone): An oral steroid known for its rapid muscle-building effects.
- Trenbolone: A powerful injectable steroid that's often used to enhance muscle growth and strength.
- Anadrol (Oxymetholone): Another oral steroid used for rapid muscle gain.
- Winstrol (Stanozolol): Often used to improve athletic performance and achieve a leaner physique.
- Deca-Durabolin (Nandrolone Decanoate): This injectable steroid is known for promoting muscle growth.
It's important to note that the use of these steroids without proper medical supervision and prescription can lead to serious health risks and is prohibited in many sports organizations.
What Are the Potential Side Effects of Taking Steroids?
When it comes to the side effects of taking steroids, individuals should be aware of the potential risks associated with these substances.
Some of the side effects include:
- Liver Toxicity
- Cardiovascular Complications
- Hormonal Imbalances
- Psychological Effects
- Joint Issues
- High Blood Pressure
- Increased Cholesterol Levels
- Acne and Skin Problems
- Hair Loss
- Aggression and Mood Swings
It's crucial for athletes and individuals considering steroid use to prioritize their long-term well-being and explore safer alternatives to achieve their fitness goals.
Who Should Test for Steroids?
Anyone can test for steroid use! However, one of the key groups to test for steroid use is athletes. Many athletes turn to steroids to increase muscle mass and strength to give them an advantage over their competitors.
However, steroid use to improve athletic performance is against the law, can lead to expulsion from competitive sports, and can be detrimental to the user’s health. Particularly concerning is illegal steroid use among teen athletes competing in high school and college sports.
By testing high school and college athletes for steroids, schools can both ensure that no one has an unfair advantage while also protecting the health of their student athletes.
Additionally, steroid abuse can lead to negative health consequences that impact young users for the rest of their lives. Steroid use can lead to high blood pressure, liver problems, tendon injuries, fertility issues, brain degeneration, and an increased risk of cancer.
In males, steroid use can lead to the irregular growth of breast tissue while in females, steroid use can lead to excessive hair growth and the development of a deeper voice.
Temptation That's Too Much to Bear
Despite the negative light steroid use receives, some people are still tempted to use them. Both males and females can abuse steroids. Males find them appealing when trying to make their muscles larger and their voices deeper. Some women take steroids to change their menstrual cycles and reduce their breast size.
It’s never a bad idea to keep a close eye on your team – even if they’re star-studded athletes or state champions.
Even if they’re not abusing illegal drugs like marijuana and cocaine, it doesn’t mean steroids couldn’t be a possibility or a risk for the people in your life. Watch them closely and look for changes.
If you suspect steroids and need to test to be sure, contact us. We can provide steroid testing for both individuals as well as entire programs full of multiple teams. Steroid drug testing for student athletes should be conducted fairly with consistent regulations on how students are tested for steroids and other illicit drugs.
Testing student athletes for steroid use and drug use before the sports season starts as well as randomly throughout the season is a great way to keep student athletes accountable and safe.
Find a Steroid Testing Center Near You
If you are looking for steroid drug testing in the greater Kansas City area, Test Smartly Labs is the place for you! Test Smartly Labs operates five testing centers in the Kansas City area including locations in Overland Park, Belton-Raymore, Independence, Downtown Kansas City, and Kansas City North.
Feel free to book a steroid test or walk in at any of our locations. Our website additionally lists all of the available options for steroid testing and delineates prices noting how much steroid testing costs.
FAQs About Steroid Testing in Kansas
1. What steroids are included in a steroid drug test?
Steroid drug tests include a wide variety of naturally occurring as well as synthetic steroids including testosterone, oxymetholone, and danazol among over fifty other anabolic steroids in our Anabolic Steroids Panel 50+ Compounds.
2. Why is steroid use considered cheating in sports?
Athletes use steroids without a prescription to increase their muscle mass and improve their performance in sports. This provides steroid users with an unfair advantage against their competitors as well as being illegal and leading to detrimental side effects that could impact athletes for the rest of their lives.
3. What specimen type is utilized by steroid testing laboratories to test for steroid use?
Test Smartly Labs collects urine specimens from patients to test for a wide variety of anabolic steroids as well as steroid masking agents.
Information On This Topic
Understanding Drug Testing Types, Methods And Specimen Collection
Examining the wide assortment of drug testing options available and exploring the potential pros and cons of each method
There are several reasons or circumstances that can lead to the necessity of a drug test.
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Understanding Lab-Based Drug Testing vs. Instant Drug Screening
The process and specifics related to drug screening can be overwhelming and intimidating to even the most seasoned employer, lawyer, law enforcement officer, or civilian. Drug screening is utilized for a variety of reasons, ranging from supporting a loved one in recovery, to court appointed mandate, to safety precautions for a job.
Prescription Drug Abuse: Signs, Symptoms and Statistics
Prescription drug abuse implies taking prescription medication was not given to you by the doctor, or taking your prescription medication in a manner that differs from the instructions. While taking prescription medication is not perceived as equivalent to taking illegal street drugs, the consequences can be equally harsh.
What Does Pattern Abuse Of Anabolic Steroids Look Like?
The misuse of anabolic steroids has many mediums, from oral consumption to direct injection. One of the greatest risks in these cases is the use of steroids without proper medical dosage, even reaching 100x the proper dosage in some cases.
Common practices to apply steroids include:
- Cycling
Multiple doses for a time, stopping for a bit, finally followed by restarting the cycle - Stacking
Combining multiple and different steroids, even an assortment of injectable and/or oral types - Pyramiding
This is a gradual increase of each dose or frequency of the steroid application, hitting a maximum dosage, ending with a gradual decreasing to a complete stop - Plateauing
Switching or overlapping with another kind of steroid to prevent the body from developing a tolerance to the original type
Be prepared for your drug test:
- Bring your Government Issued Picture ID
- Bring Drug Test Paperwork or Authorization
- Complete TSL Intake Form & HIPAA Disclosure
- Pay for your Test on the same day it happens
- Make sure you are hydrated if you are performing a Urine Test
- Expect to have your nail polish removed if getting a Nail Drug Test
- We do not need your prescription information but a Medical Review Officer (MRO) may contact you after collection to verify your medications.
- For urine testing, plan on arriving 3 hours before we close (1 hr minimum) to provide a cushion of time for a shy bladder situation.
- For hair testing, be sure to dry your hair completely before arriving.
- For nail testing, be sure to clean your nails with soap and water before arriving. Also, artificial nails and polish must be removed.
What Are Your Hours?
All Test Smartly Labs are open Monday through Friday, from 9am - 5pm
Do We Need To Have An Appointment?
No appointment is required to come into our labs, and all of our locations are on a walk-in basis. However, it is recommended you arrive at least 30 minutes prior to closing. If your situation requires special time considerations, please call us to determine if it would be better to arrange an appointment time.
Do I Need Doctors’ Orders For Testing?
No doctors’ orders needed, we are a Direct-Access Testing Center. You are encouraged to consult your medical professional with your lab test results.
What’s The Turnaround Time For Lab Work?
Average turnaround time is 2-5 business days depending on the complexity of the lab work. Most tests are available in 2-3 days.
Do You Need A List Of My Medications For A Drug Test?
Per protocol, the lab techs are not allowed to receive or ask for your medications. A medical review officer or MRO, a licensed physician who specializes in toxicology, will call you and ask for your medications and your physician’s phone number if it’s detected in your sample during testing. The MRO will then call your physician to verify your medications.
Our Popular Products
5-Panel Oral Fluid / Saliva Drug Panel
Price: $74 / Online Prepay Price: $69 Step 1: Choose a Testing Center location Step 2: Select desired appointment date & time Step 3: Choose "Online Prepay" to receive lowest price OR, select "Pay In-person" option for standard pricing Step 4: Complete the required fields and get tested
EtG Hair Follicle Alcohol Test
Price: $249 / Online Prepay Price: $239 Step 1: Choose a Testing Center location Step 2: Select desired appointment date & time Step 3: Choose "Online Prepay" to receive lowest price OR, select "Pay In-person" option for standard pricing Step 4: Complete the required fields and get tested
Breath Alcohol Test (BA) + Confirmation
Price: $39 / Online Prepay Price: $37 Step 1: Choose a Testing Center location Step 2: Select desired appointment date & time Step 3: Choose "Online Prepay" to receive lowest price OR, select "Pay In-person" option for standard pricing Step 4: Complete the required fields and get tested
Instant / Rapid Screen 5-Panel + Lab Confirmation/MRO
Price: $49 / Online Prepay Price: $45 Step 1: Choose a Testing Center location Step 2: Select desired appointment date & time Step 3: Choose "Online Prepay" to receive lowest price OR, select "Pay In-person" option for standard pricing Step 4: Complete the required fields and get tested
7-Panel Drug Test + Narcotic Panel
Price: $69 / Online Prepay Price: $67 Step 1: Choose a Testing Center location Step 2: Select desired appointment date & time Step 3: Choose "Online Prepay" to receive lowest price OR, select "Pay In-person" option for standard pricing Step 4: Complete the required fields and get tested
5-Panel / OXY Drug Test + EtG Alcohol Test
Price: $109 / Online Prepay Price: $99 Step 1: Choose a Testing Center location Step 2: Select desired appointment date & time Step 3: Choose "Online Prepay" to receive lowest price OR, select "Pay In-person" option for standard pricing Step 4: Complete the required fields and get tested
5-Panel Urine Drug Test
Price: $49 / Online Prepay Price: $45 Step 1: Choose a Testing Center location Step 2: Select desired appointment date & time Step 3: Choose "Online Prepay" to receive lowest price OR, select "Pay In-person" option for standard pricing Step 4: Complete the required fields and get tested
Find your nearest location
- Overland Park
Test Smartly Labs ofOverland Park6600 College Blvd, Suite 205
Overland Park, KS 66211,
United StatesOpening Hours :
Mon - Fri : 9am - 5pm | Sat : Closed | Sun : Closed - Kansas City
- Kansas City North
- Independence
- Belton-Raymore
- Anywhere In The USA