Heavy metals found in underground steroids pose major health risks like kidney damage, lung cancer and more to young adults: Report |

Steroid use among young adults is rising, driven by fitness influencers, body image pressures, and easy online access. But what many users don’t realise is that these unregulated products may contain dangerous contaminants. A new Australian study reveals shocking evidence: most anabolic steroid products sold on the black market are mislabelled, and worse, many contain toxic heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and cadmium. These impurities could silently contribute to cancer, organ damage, and long-term cognitive decline. As steroid use continues to grow, especially among gym-goers, urgent health warnings and harm-reduction strategies are now more essential than ever.

Steroids contaminated with heavy metals; study reveals

A recent study conducted in Australia tested 28 underground steroid products sourced from gym-goers and online vendors. These included:

Testing by an independent forensic lab revealed more than half were mislabelled or did not contain the expected drug. In some cases, products labeled as testosterone contained entirely different—and often stronger—steroids like trenbolone. Others had lower-than-claimed dosages, such as oxandrolone tablets containing only 6.8mg instead of the promised 10mg.Only four products matched the expected compound and dosage accuracy. Even more alarming, every product tested contained traces of toxic heavy metals, including: Lead, Arsenic, Cadmium.

How heavy metals in underground steroids pose serious long term health risks

While these metals were within daily exposure limits in isolated doses, steroid users often stack drugs and cycle over weeks or months, rapidly exceeding safe levels. These toxins can accumulate in the body and result in serious long-term health effects:

This slow build-up can silently fuel cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline in unsuspecting users. The presence of heavy metals in underground steroids is usually due to poor manufacturing practices, especially in factories based in countries with lax regulations like China. Contaminated solvents, unclean synthesis equipment, and impure raw materials introduce toxins into the final product.Without quality control or independent lab testing, consumers have no way of knowing what they’re putting into their bodies.

What are anabolic steroids and why are they popular

Anabolic steroids are synthetic compounds that mimic testosterone, the male sex hormone responsible for muscle growth, strength, and certain masculine traits. While doctors may prescribe them for conditions like hypogonadism or severe muscle loss, they are widely misused to enhance body image, athletic performance, or mood.In Australia, possessing steroids without a prescription is illegal and punishable with fines or up to 25 years in prison, depending on jurisdiction. Yet, their availability through online suppliers or informal gym networks remains widespread—especially among young men and women eager for rapid transformations.

How steroids are typically used and misunderstood

Steroids come in different forms: oral tablets, injectable oils, and even raw powders. Many users assume these products are safe if dosed correctly. However, without regulation or quality checks, underground steroid manufacturing is often sloppy and dangerous.The misconception that these substances are harmless if “used smartly” can mask the real risk of contamination, mislabeling, and toxic impurities.

Why steroid harm persists

Unlike recreational drugs, which are now often tested at festivals for safety, anabolic steroids require complex chemical analysis that cannot be done quickly or cheaply on-site. As a result, there’s currently no widespread testing available for users outside of research settings in countries like Australia and Switzerland.Experts recommend:National steroid surveillance and testing programsIntegration of steroid testing within needle-and-syringe exchangesAccessible community-based testing services for gym-goersPeer-led education campaigns designed by and for steroid usersEvidence-based harm reduction strategies led by both clinicians and lived-experience expertsAlso Read | Alzheimer’s before 65? Understand the major symptoms and causes of early-onset disease one shouldn’t ignore