Steroids: Do They Enlarge Organs?
In early 2026 I conducted an evidence-based study on 5 Possible Ways to Tell If Someone at the Gym Is on Anabolic Steroids, listing 5 common characteristics which include:
1- Capped Shoulders
2-Gyno
3-Discoloration or Pigmentation Changes
4-Fast or Abnormal Weight Gain
5- Fat Free Mass Index Above 25
Well, there is a 6th, possible characteristic...whizam!
Here is my second study of 2026 that links extended abdominals to steroid usage.
Yes, stomachs and abdominals.
Technically it is called, "Palumboism", this is the huge guts that you see bodybuilders prominently display.
Interestingly what persuaded me to do this study was my wife recently commented on an individual at our local Planet Fitness who was walking around with an extended stomach. She as most of us who have seen this wanted to know if that was natural?
NO, it is not. I realize there are skeptics that might just say it is a beer gut or they worked the abdominals extra hard to obtain those extended abdominals, so I attached the study at the bottom so that you don't think I am full of "hot piss".
In this new study whole body MRI's were completed on active recreational individuals, drug tested natural lifters or "natties", and enhanced androgen bodybuilder users (who have been on the gear for at least 6 years). The natural bodybuilders and the androgen users had similar daily protein intake, total weekly training volume, and training experience with resistance training.
THE MRI SCANS:
Natural Bodybuilders, the Natties-
They did not differ in size from recreational lifters despite having significant higher protein consumption (2.5 grams/kg).
The Take Away:
These results fit with most research that higher protein diets are safe. Safe for your organs, which include your liver and kidneys despite those doctors or skeptics who might suggest high protein is not good for you. Shame on them.
Bodybuilders/Androgen User MRI Scans-
The enhanced gear group has signficantly larger or enlarged organs.
-Heart, liver, kidneys, and spleen.
-35% to 52% LARGER than the natties or the recreational lifters.
-Roughly 44% bigger organs on Average.
Final Thoughts/IMHO (In My Humbled Opinion):
In the past steroid users would suggest that their gut was due to training the abdominal region harder than that of the average lifter, beer gut, retention of water in the abdominals, higher daily protein content created the distention.
However, this study almost confirms that there might be a possible 6th sign or steroid usage....remember this word, Palumboism.
Disclaimer: Sharing a study in NOT an endorsement. You should read the orginal research yourself and be critical.
