Investigating the Effect of Testosterone Supplements used by Bodybuilding Athletes on Urinary Tract Stone Formation: A Two-year Cross-sectional Study

Background and Objective: Nowadays, the utilization of exogenous testosterone has progressively gained popularity in diverse sports domains, thereby giving rise to apprehensions regarding its associated risks and potential advantages. Materials and Methods: In this study, conducted to investigate the impact of testosterone supplementation on urinary tract stone formation and urine compounds, a total of 1,080 athletes were examined in a two-year cross-sectional study. Among them, 495 athletes received testosterone supplementation, while 585 athletes were investigated as non-consumers. Blood and urine samples were collected, and a computed tomography scan was performed to assess the presence of stones. Results: The findings of this study revealed a noteworthy rise in crystalluria among testosterone users in comparison to non-users (38.2% vs. 2.7%). Moreover, imaging results exhibited a greater occurrence of abnormal findings in testosterone users (25.2% vs. 4.3%), as evidenced by calcification in kidney tissue, pelvic and caliceal stones, ureteral stones, and bladder stones. Conclusion: While further metabolomic studies are required to establish a conclusive cause-and-effect relationship between testosterone intake and stone formation, this study emphasizes the potential hazards linked to the utilization of exogenous testosterone and underscores the necessity for evidence-based guidelines in the realm of exercise and athletic performance.