A verdict of death by misadventure has been returned by the Coroner's Court in Cork at an inquest into the death of an 18-year-old Leaving Certificate student who was found to have taken an anabolic steroid used to build up strength and muscle.
Coroner Philip Comyn said he hoped that the tragic death of Luke O'Brien May, from Grange, Co Limerick on 18 June 2017 will make others aware of the significant dangers of taking these illicit drugs.
The court heard how he became ill over the weekend of his exams.
It was initially thought he had a vomiting bug, but his mother Bríd told the court that on the evening of Tuesday 13 June he had to be hospitalised, after he had become increasingly agitated and confused.
His father Denis told the court that he later found an empty packet marked with the name Stanozolol at home and gave it to doctors at the hospital who were treating his son.
The talented sportsman, who played rugby, hurling, football and basketball, was later transferred to Cork University Hospital and died there on 18 June last year.
Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster told the court that tests taken during the post-mortem examination found a low level of Stanozolol in the teenager’s blood.
Stanozolol is an anabolic steroid used to increase muscle, strength and to reduce recovery time.
Dr Bolster said the cause of death was a severe cerebral edema (swelling of the brain) and brain stem edema due to the ingestion of Stanozolol.
She said the effects on the body from steroids is an evolving story. It is becoming increasingly recognised that they are toxic to the brain, the heart and the liver.
Mr Comyn said he had to commend the family for taking the decision to donate their son's organs, which gave the hope of life to at least four people.
However, he said he also had to highlight the problems with taking an anabolic steroid.
Its use carried significant health risks, it is addictive and difficult to stop using.
He said it is mainly obtained illegally over the internet and people do not know what they are taking.
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