Assessing Illicit Steroid Quality with Chromatography: Implications for Harm Reduction

A recent study analyzed anonymously donated anabolic–androgenic steroid (AAS) samples sold in Australia to determine chemical composition. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and inductively coupled plasma analysis were used to identify active ingredients, contaminants and heavy metals, with results interpreted in the context of harm reduction. A paper based on this research was published in Drug and Alcohol Review (1).

Commonly used for enhancing appearance, performance, and wellbeing, AASs are often obtained by users from unregulated sources, which leads to substantial variability in product composition (2–4). While unregulated markets for AAS are a worldwide problem, authorities possess a limited comprehension of the extent of the trend and the full range of products circulating within these markets (5–7). While the purity and presence of these products are known to differ greatly, the degree of this disparity, as well as the possible contaminants present in ASS, remain mostly unknown (6,8). As AAS use increases globally, estimated to have grown from 1.6% to 4% in the last 10 years among women (9,10), there is a critical need to better understand the quality and safety of these substances exists (1).

Analysis performed on 28 AAS samples (16 injectable, 10 oral, 2 raw powders) revealed that 15 of the samples were incorrectly labelled or sold. When considering the 21 samples with clearly defined expected labelled dosages, 4 of these were within a ±5% deviation of the expected purity. Twelve heavy metals were detected in injectable and oral products, with mean concentrations ranging from 0.07 to 62.54 μg/mL in injectables and 1.94-47,901 μg/g in orals. Seven metals were identified in raw powders (mean 23.0 μg/g, range 0.96-51.73 μg/g) (1)

The variability and contamination of AAS products pose significant health risks, and that the implementation of a comprehensive surveillance and testing system is essential, the researchers wrote. This system, they wrote, could help monitor AAS products, enabling real-time updates on potential contaminants and hazards, which would support informed decision-making by consumers and strengthen harm reduction efforts (1).

References

1. Craven, A.; Ferris, J.; Nielsen, S. et al. Lead Astray? The Hidden Contaminants in Australian Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Market and Their Potential Health Impact. Drug Alcohol Rev. 2025, 44 (6), 1641-1647. DOI: 10.1111/dar.70007
2. Hanley Santos, G.; Coomber, R. The Risk Environment of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Users in the UK: Examining Motivations, Practices and Accounts of Use. Int. J. Drug Policy 2017, 40, 35-43. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.11.005
3. Kimergård, A. A Qualitative Study of Anabolic Steroid Use Amongst Gym Users in the United Kingdom: Motives, Beliefs and Experiences. J. Subst. Use 2015,20 (4), 288–294. DOI: 10.3109/14659891.2014.911977
4. Hearne, E.; Atkinson, A.; Boardley, I. et al. Sustaining Masculinity’: A Scoping Review of Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Use by Older Males. Drugs (Abingdon Engl) 2022, 31(1), 27–53. DOI: 10.1080/09687637.2022.2132135
5. Magnolini, R.; Falcato, L.; Cremonesi, A. et al. Fake Anabolic Androgenic Steroids on the Black Market - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Qualitative and Quantitative Analytical Results Found Within the Literature. BMC Pub. Health 2022, 22 (1), 1371. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13734-4
6. Coomber, R.; Pavlidis, A.; Santos, G. H. et al. The Supply of Steroids and Other Performance and Image Enhancing Drugs (PIEDs) in One English City: Fakes, Counterfeits, Supplier Trust, Common Beliefs and Access. PEH 2014, 3 (3–4), 135–144. DOI: /10.1016/j.peh.2015.10.004
7. Piatkowski, T.; Puljevic, C.; Francis, C. et al. “They Sent It Away for Testing and It Was All Bunk”: Exploring Perspectives on Drug Checking Among Steroid Consumers in Queensland, Australia. Int. J. Drug Policy 2023, 119, 104139. DOI: DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104139
8. Piatkowski, T.; Havnes, I. A.; Kill, E. et al. "The Compounds for Females are Really Commonly Faked!": Women's Challenges in Anabolic Steroid Acquisition and the Place of Drug Checking Interventions. Drug Alcohol Rev. 2024, 43 (7), 1962-1966. DOI: 10.1111/dar.13931
9. Piatkowski, T.; Whiteside, B.; Robertson, J. et al. What is the Prevalence of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroid Use Among Women? A Systematic Review. Addiction 2024, 119 (12), 2088-2100. DOI: 10.1111/add.16643
10. Sagoe, D.; Pallesen, S. Androgen Abuse Epidemiology. Curr. Opin. Endocrinol. Diabetes Obes. 2018, 25 (3), 185-194. DOI: 10.1097/MED.0000000000000403