U.S. regulator warns against use of muscle growth product linked to liver injury

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WASHINGTON, April 13 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Food and Drug administration (FDA) on Monday warned consumers to stop using a dietary supplement for muscle growth linked to serious liver damage.
The FDA said it's investigating Tri-Methyl Xtreme, distributed by Las Vegas-based Extreme Products Group, after receiving three adverse event reports from consumers in three states of California, New Jersey and Utah.
The product is marketed as a dietary supplement that claims to contain anabolic steroids and is sold on the Internet and in some retail stores and gyms.
"Products marketed as supplements that contain anabolic steroids pose a real danger to consumers," Charles Lee, a senior medical advisor in the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research's Office of Compliance, said in a statement. "Anabolic steroids may have a range of serious adverse effects on many organ systems, and the damage may be irreversible."
According to the FDA, liver injury is generally known to be a possible outcome of using products that contain synthetic anabolic steroids, and steroid-like substances.
Anabolic steroids may also cause other serious long-term consequences, including adverse effects on cholesterol levels; increased risk of heart attack and stroke; masculinization of women; shrinkage of the testicles; breast enlargement; infertility in males; and short stature in children.
Consumers who suspect they are experiencing problems associated with Tri-Methyl Xtreme or other body building products should consult a health care professional, especially if they have experienced unexplained fatigue, abdominal or back pain, discolored urine or any other unexplained changes in their health, the FDA suggested.