text: A Sydney anti-ageing doctor has been found guilty of medical misconduct after it was revealed she had been inappropriately prescribing drugs such as steroids and hormones to her patients. Dr Julie Epstein could also face being struck off after an investigation revealed she had been giving substances such as anabolic steroids to some 40 patients, some of whom had trouble with similar drugs in the past. The doctor, who opened one of NSW's first anti-ageing clinics, has been prosecuted by the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) for her conduct between August 2007 and August 2009, Fairfax Media reports. Sydney anti-ageing doctor Julie Epstein (not pictured) has been found guilty of medical misconduct . On Monday the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal found that Dr Epstein had been prescribing human growth hormone and other similar subtances 'without exercising responsible medical judgement'. The tribunal also revealed that some patients receiving these medications, such as bodybuilders and bouncers, had a history of abusing such substances. Other patients that visited Dr Epstein, who currently works at Atarmon on Sydney's north shore, were a woman with a history of mental illness and eating disorders, someone who was HIV positive, and another with warning signs of prostate cancer. The fact that the anti-ageing doctor failed to measure patients body weight or body mass index before prescribing dosages, and simply took patients' word on symptoms were also aired at the tribunal. The doctor is well known practitioner and has previously appeared in the media commenting on anti-ageing practices and similar areas. A tribunal found she was irresponsible diagnosing medications such as steroids and keeping inaccurate patient records . Dr Epstein also neglected to keep accurate or comprehensive records, and failed in communication with referring doctors. The five medications she prescribed were, according to Fairfax Media's report, anastrozole (Arimidex), human chorionic gonadotrophin, human growth hormone, nandrolone deconoate and testosterone. While the doctor prescribed drugs 'off-record', which means for a use other than their intended purpose, this in itself is not illegal. But the tribunal found that in conjuction with her other questionable practices, it was 'difficult to find the practitioner's off-label prescribing as conforming to acceptable medical practice'. Dr Epstein's barrister, Philip Greenwood SC asked the tribunal not to align his client's anti-ageing practice with that of conventional medicine. Mr Greenwood cited numerous medical studies which supported her actions, which were also supported by innovation in the industry. Dr Epstein has been a medical practitioner for 40 years and currently works in Artarmon on Sydney's north-short (pictured) However lawyers for the HCCC argued the case was not about the validity Dr Epstein's anti-ageing practices but her responsibility as a practitioner. The anti-ageing doctor had previously warned in 2007 about the prescription of steroids, and came to the attention of authorities again when a patient had the drugs seized when travelling overseas. Following these instances, restrictions were placed on her medical licence in 2009. During a hearing last year Dr Epstein said she had changed her procedures to include physical checks of her patients. She spoke about her four decade long medical history, and spoke about her interest in 'preventative medicine'. But the tribunal deemed her practice as 'naive', 'emotionally swayed', and in some cases 'placed her patients at risk'. A hearing set to be held in April will determine whether Dr Epstein's medical licence will be cancelled.
target: Dr Julie Epstein has been found guilty of medical misconduct .
  The Sydney anti-ageing doctor was inappropriately prescribing drugs .
  Steroids and human growth hormone were being given to patients .
  NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal said she was irresponsible .