Reversible Gynecomastia and Hypogonadism Due to Usage of Commercial Performance-Enhancing Supplement Use.

Chong S, Woolnough CA, Koyyalamudi SR, Perera NJ

JCEM case reports14 Aug 2024

PMID39145153PMCIDPMC11321837DOI10.1210/jcemcr/luae148PepBankPUB-39145153

Summary

Commercially available performance-enhancing supplements can contain banned performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) and undisclosed steroid hormones that can induce hormonal abnormalities with associated clinical signs. We present a case of a 40-year-old male who developed bilateral gynecomastia and biochemical hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with a corresponding 6-month history of consuming commercially available performance-enhancing supplements for gym workouts. These performance-enhancing supplements were found to contain amounts of RAD-140, a selective androgen receptor modulator, MK-677, a GH secretagogue and cardarine, all of which are banned PEDs. In vitro analysis also detected undisclosed hormones testosterone, estradiol, and GH in all 3 supplements, with further steroid analysis using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry identifying an unidentified compound coeluting close to the testosterone peak. Cessation of these supplements led to full resolution of symptoms including normalization of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. This case highlights the need for clinicians to consider commercially available performance-enhancing supplements as potential sources of PEDs and exogenous steroid hormones that can have adverse clinical consequences.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study4

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Studies that did not test the peptide alone4

In this study, MK-677 (ibutamoren) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking MK-677 (ibutamoren).

01HumanNot a test of MK-677 (ibutamoren) aloneCase report or seriesSafety outcome
A man developed bilateral gynecomastia during use of supplements containing MK‑677 and other agents.
In plain wordsA man developed enlarged breasts while using supplements containing MK‑677 and other agents.
Peptide
MK-677 (ibutamoren)
Outcome
Not applicableBilateral gynecomastia
Study
n = 1
Outcome group
Adverse events · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
We present a case of a 40-year-old male who developed bilateral gynecomastia and biochemical hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with a corresponding 6-month history of consuming commercially available performance-enhancing supplements for gym workouts.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
These performance-enhancing supplements were found to contain amounts of RAD-140, a selective androgen receptor modulator, MK-677, a GH secretagogue and cardarine, all of which are banned PEDs.
In this study, MK-677 (ibutamoren) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking MK-677 (ibutamoren).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3914515301
02HumanNot a test of MK-677 (ibutamoren) aloneCase report or seriesSafety outcome
A man developed biochemical hypogonadotropic hypogonadism during use of supplements containing MK‑677 and other agents.
In plain wordsA man developed low sex hormone function while using supplements containing MK‑677 and other agents.
Peptide
MK-677 (ibutamoren)
Outcome
Not applicableHypogonadotropic hypogonadism
Study
n = 1
Outcome group
Sex hormones and fertility · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
We present a case of a 40-year-old male who developed bilateral gynecomastia and biochemical hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with a corresponding 6-month history of consuming commercially available performance-enhancing supplements for gym workouts.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
These performance-enhancing supplements were found to contain amounts of RAD-140, a selective androgen receptor modulator, MK-677, a GH secretagogue and cardarine, all of which are banned PEDs.
In this study, MK-677 (ibutamoren) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking MK-677 (ibutamoren).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3914515302
03HumanNot a test of MK-677 (ibutamoren) aloneCase report or seriesSafety outcome
Gynecomastia resolved after a man stopped supplements containing MK‑677 and other agents.
In plain wordsA man's breast enlargement resolved after he stopped supplements containing MK‑677 and other agents.
Peptide
MK-677 (ibutamoren)
Outcome
DecreaseGynecomastia resolution after cessation
Study
n = 1
Outcome group
Adverse events · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
Cessation of these supplements led to full resolution of symptoms including normalization of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
We present a case of a 40-year-old male who developed bilateral gynecomastia and biochemical hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with a corresponding 6-month history of consuming commercially available performance-enhancing supplements for gym workouts.
Summary · context
These performance-enhancing supplements were found to contain amounts of RAD-140, a selective androgen receptor modulator, MK-677, a GH secretagogue and cardarine, all of which are banned PEDs.
In this study, MK-677 (ibutamoren) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking MK-677 (ibutamoren).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3914515303
04HumanNot a test of MK-677 (ibutamoren) aloneCase report or seriesSafety outcome
Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism normalized after a man stopped supplements containing MK‑677 and other agents.
In plain wordsA man's low sex hormone function normalized after he stopped supplements containing MK‑677 and other agents.
Peptide
MK-677 (ibutamoren)
Outcome
DecreaseHypogonadism normalization after cessation
Study
n = 1
Outcome group
Sex hormones and fertility · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
Cessation of these supplements led to full resolution of symptoms including normalization of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
These performance-enhancing supplements were found to contain amounts of RAD-140, a selective androgen receptor modulator, MK-677, a GH secretagogue and cardarine, all of which are banned PEDs.
In this study, MK-677 (ibutamoren) was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking MK-677 (ibutamoren).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3914515304

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

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Version 2Current
14 Oct 2026, 05:02 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
14 Oct 2026, 01:46 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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