Originally written by Anabolic_Ph.D on AR.
- Philosophy of Anabolic Sterid Testing -
Standards of detection (limits) are set in ALL IOC (International Olympic Committee)laboratories to unequivocally protect innocent athletes from being falsely accused. Unfortunatly, this does not apply to ALL labs that many Colleges and Univ. seem to choose to do the "Dirty Work". Because of this philosphy, some positices will not be reported in order to avoid any chance of a false positive result. Thus, some abuse will not be deterred by testing, particualry for those substances for which only VERY high drug levels constitiute a positive result (Ex. Test and Caffeine)
Despite the frequent requests for information on a detectability of anabolic steroids, there are NO absoulute guidlines and athlete can use and NO definable time period in which an athlete can cease drug use in order to escape a positive test result. This is because there are too many inherent variables that can profoundly affect the drug elimination/excretion process. These variables (As Seen Below)* can affect a test result quantitatively in different directions, indicating why it is impossible to define reliable detection guidlines for anabolic steriods.
The List below shows ways an athlete can THEORETICALLY avoid a positive anabolic steriod test result while taking the drugs. Although the obvious examples of dilution/inhibition of excretion of anabolic steroids into urine are now banned, other possible options are or WILL BE available.
*Variables Influencing the Concentration/Detectability of Anbolics
-Urine output/volume for that athlete
-Urine pH (acidity, usually effected by
diet)
-Dosage of AS taken, when last taken, and
formualtion used (Oral, Oil, etc..)
-Acute or Chronic use of AS
-Other AS taken simultanesously (Stacked)
-The AS being detected: Some AS are
easier to detect at lower level than
other AS
-Agents Present, promoting/inhibiting
excretion of AS
-Drug, Metabolism inhibitors/promotors
taken concurrently with AS (Ex.
barbiturates, alcohol, nicotine, etc..)
-Metabolic Activity of Invidiual Athlete
-Fat content of Athlete (BF %)
-Athletes Diet during Testing/Compotetion
-Recent Truma/Shock to Athlete
Theoretical Ways to Prevent a Positive Test for AS
-The User can dilute the urine (Ex. by
using diuretics)
-The User can prevent AS excretion into
urine(Ex. by using Porbenecid)
-The User can cease dosing soon enough to
make AS levels drop too low to detect
-The User can take Test but keep the
level low enough so the ratio to
epitestosterone stays below 6:1
-The User can take epitestosterone so
that the test-to-epitest ratio stays
below 6:1
-The User can take birth control pills
in an attempt to "hide" or "mask" the
use of nandrolone
Use of Other Substances for Anabolic Effects
Recently, other substances have become popular for either their purposed anabolic effects or their effects on endogenous anabolic substances. Examples Include:
-Zeranol
-Clenbuerol
-Deprenyl
-Orotic Acid
-Polypeptide Hormones
CONCLUSIONS
Testing for anabolic steroids is Complex, Expensive, and Technically VERY difficult. And intamate marrige of medicine, pharmacology, analytical chemistry, endocrinology, and clinical chemistry is neccessary for building an effective anabolic steroid-testing lab that produces NO false positive and MINIMAL false negative results.
The average clinical lab is NOT capable of carrying out effective and comprehensive AS testing because it DOES NOT have the necessary expertise and information available, unless extraordinary effort, expense, and collaboration with an already experienced lab is part of the program. Testing, even at the IOC, is NOT fullproof, in that false negatives DO occur for a varity of reasons (As listed above). In addition, control of the endogenous AS testosterone is difficult and only somewhat effective, because protecting all innocent athletes from being falsly accused (or accused in general) is a legit goal!
