This is again a very under researched area in the medical community as the population of individuals with renal impairment due to AAS use is small.

Protecting the kidneys from harm during AAS use is even more important than protecting the liver since we know that the liver is capable of regenerating new healthy tissue when damaged whereas the kidneys are not.

The kidney’s blood filtering process is called glomerular filtration and an estimate of the sufficiency of that process shows up on a blood test as an estimated value or the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) which is used as a barometer for kidney health. With blood products the filtration rate can only be estimated; to accurately calculate it, urine would need to be collected over a period of time then tested.

The glomerulus is like a ball of capillaries that make part of the kidney’s filtration membrane along with other structures and components.

What does the kidney filter? Any low-molecular weight substance that is freely dissolved in blood plasma is filtered. This includes glucose, amino acids, peptides, drugs, and waste products of metabolism such as creatinine and urea.

Again, on a blood test, serum creatinine is measured as well as BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen). If the kidney is not filtering properly, instead of passing these substances into the urine, they will be elevated in the blood stream.

Also, when the filtration membrane is damaged, oftentimes albumin (protein) from the blood which should stay in the blood, will pass into the urine. This is called proteinuria. Testing the urine for protein will reveal this.

Androgens appear to exert a direct toxic effect on glomerular cells and combined with the notion of the kidneys being stressed when called upon repeatedly to remove massive amounts of anabolic hormone metabolites may result in glomerular sclerosis or scar tissue buildup in in the glomerular structure inhibiting the kidney’s ability to filter waste.

High pressure in the glomerular capillaries from hypertension also damages the filtration membrane and may even be a more common reason for renal insufficiency (kidney damage) than androgen toxicity.

Well, what do I do about all this GearHead?

You must control your blood pressure. You must. If homeopathic blood pressure aids are not enough look toward ACE Inhibitors. These will cause the blood vessels in the kidney to dilate, reducing blood pressure and allowing blood to flow easier through the kidney. I get these meds scripted through my doctor, but I know they are also available online without a script.

Tren for me and many others, for example, causes androgen induced hypertension which, unchecked, and over an extended period is an invitation to renal failure. Limit your run of harsh androgenic compounds to 8 weeks. Of course, 2 gallons of water a day is a no brainer on cycle.

Supplements for General Kidney Health and Support

Alpha Lipoic Acid

Alpha lipoic acid can neutralize many metabolic toxins and wastes in the body, prior to sending them through the kidneys. Alpha lipoic acid can help lower high creatinine and high BUN. Dose: 300 mg / day.

Nettle Leaf Tea

1-2 Cups of Nettle Leaf Tea will clear creatinine and excessive uric acid in the blood. Other herbal aids include chamomile, dandelion root, salvia, cinnamon and Siberian ginseng.

Chitosan

Chitosan will also clear metabolic toxins from the blood. Dose: 1,000 – 4,000 mg / day.

References:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9255718
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029141202.htm
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2799287/
http://www.bodybuildingsecrets.com/articles/steroids_and_kidney_damage.php
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/245915-treatment
http://courses.washington.edu/conj/bess/filtration/filtration.htm
http://www.kidney-cares.org/illness-analysis/1351.html
http://www.kidney-cares.org/creatinine/952.html
http://jasn.asnjournals.org/content/early/2009/11/17/ASN.2009040450.full...