
Can A Course Of Steroids Cause Enlarged Laryngeal Cartilage?

I had some anabolic steroids when I was in my teens. Now i regeret this because of the enlarging effect it has had on my laryngeal cartilage. I regret because cartilage doesnt turnover and thus this means the testosterone in a way has had a permanent effect . Please can you advise?
Short course of steroids doesn't alter the cartilage...
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for posting the query
It's a myth; the laryngeal cartilage doesn't enlarge with the intake of oral steroids. The bones and cartilage doesn't increase in density even if consumed for a longer duration (less than a month).
In an adult male, the normal growth hormones produced by the body determines the stature of the body, unless the production is disturbed by the medicines (such as chemotherapy drugs) and radiation.
Do not worry! It is normal for the laryngeal framework to enlarge for the males at this age and the short course of steroids which you have taken in your teens will not have any effect on your laryngeal framework.
Hope I have answered your query; I'll be available for the follow up queries.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon


Given that height growth must mean bone and cartilage growth of long bones, i became concerned about its affect on bone growth of other areas. Thats why i ask about voice etc.
I read cartilage turnover rate in knee is very slow...is the same true for cartilage in voice also?
Thanks and Regards,
XXXX
Anabolic steroids doesn't affect the laryngeal framework...
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing back
I do understand your concern, but, the use of anabolic steroids has a very minimal effect on the laryngeal cartilage unlike that of the long bones.
Anabolic steroids do trigger the growth centers in the bone till the age of 25 years. Later on, the soft bone does get calcified, thus halting the further enlargement of the bones.
Larygeal cartilage gets enlarged during puberty thus altering the pitch of the male voice and stops growing by the late teen. Although the voice itself remains stable, physiological changes do occur in middle age, most significantly ossification (hardening) of the laryngeal cartilages.
In most of the individuals, the thyroid cartilage doesn't look prominent because of the accumulated fat in the neck. Whereas, in a skinny individual the cartilage stands out, making it appear as if the cartilage has over-grown.
Thus, the steroids taken during adolescence doesn't have any effect on the growth of laryngeal framework in the later part of the life.
Hope this clarifies your doubts. I wish you good health.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon


Before i close discussion , i would like to confirm, is epethilium cell in tissue have fast turnover? I read online in rats vocal tissue its very fast but dont know if applies to human also?
Thanks and all my best,
XXXX
The turn-over of the vocal cord epithelium is slightly lower in humans...
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome back
The turn-over of the vocal cord epithelium is slightly lower in humans compared to that of the lower animals because of the excessive motion of the vocal cords (as in speech), which the latter lacks.
Whereas, in other places of the body apart from the cartilages, tendons and ligaments (because the relatively low vascularity in these tissues) the turn-over of the epithelium is normal and comparable to that of the lower animals.
Hope this clarifies your doubts. Wish you good health.
Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Answered by

Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty
Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist
Practicing since :2001
Answered : 2545 Questions
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