Russian bodybuilder's arms are dangerously big

Twenty-one-year-old Kiril was dubbed 'Popeye' after images of him appeared on social media. Photo / Twitter.

A Russian bodybuilder who developed Popeye-like arms after injecting dangerous chemicals into his biceps has told fans he is seriously ill.

Kiril Tereshin, 21, found online fame for trying to break bodybuilding records but now fears his life is in danger after injecting "synthol" oil into his shoulders.

"That is it, forget about me," he told his social media followers. "I was lying for two days in my bed.

"I was barely able to stand up after I started 'working' on my shoulders."

By "working", it is believed he means injecting synthol, an oil-based liquid injected into muscles to make them grow.

Tereshin added: "My arm got swollen up two times and it was serious blow to my system. I am in pain, my mother is crying.

"I do not know what to do. All that is left to me is to rely on God. I will lie on my bed and pray to God."

There was no further news on his social media account but it has been reported that he was mocked as being a prima donna after his latest photoshoot.

The gun show in more ways than one. Photo / Twitter.

Tereshin had posted a picture on his social media profile of himself topless wearing professional women's makeup, a blonde wig and glittery trousers.

Tereshin disabled comments on the picture after people flooded it with remarks including "you look like a princess" and "why did your mother even give birth to you?"

Tereshin began bodybuilding after leaving the army and quickly moved on to using synthol oil injections to boost his arm development.

His biceps were reported to be 60cm around.

Doctors say using synthol can lead to a myriad of health problems including embolisms in the lungs, strokes, cysts and ulcers.