Ghost of Igloi wrote:
Pete,
What are the rules now for Low-T therapy? Is this allowed? Personally I think it should be banned as well, just confused on what is the current policy.
Perhaps others can respond as well.
Igy
Testosterone supplementation in any form is banned. While those suffering from Low-T can apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE), none has ever been granted to my knowledge. There are several problems with testosterone use. For one, the "normal" range for testosterone is so broad that what's normal for one person could be several times what's normal for someone else (the latter person could therefore increase his--or her--normal T-level by 200-300% without triggering a positive result, since there must be a 4-1 testosterone-to-epitestosterone level to trigger that positive, with most men at 1-1). Also, some people are more sensitive to testosterone than others--they get more bang for their buck, so any additional testosterone gives them a huge performance boost (the same applies for some athletes whose levels are "low," as their sensitivity to the hormone actually creates bigger adaptations for a lower volume of the hormone ... this sensitivity naturally occurs in most athletes as their fitness improves). Next, even if your levels are low, the ability to supplement those levels at specific times when it's most beneficial (e.g., right after a workout when it's a huge recovery boost to remain in an anabolic state) gives an advantage. There are other reasons, too. The basic premise is that it's impossible to administer additional testosterone without creating a performance boost--and it's VERY difficult to determine when that boost is warranted, how much of a boost is warranted (supplementation that creates more of an anabolic steroid effect than existed before the Low-T syndrome would definitely be performance-enhancing, and very few men have lifelong charts of testosterone levels in order to accurately pinpoint that level), and whether an athlete using supplementation is only administering the amount prescribed by a doctor and not using an increased amount (again, you can have four times the normal ratio of testosterone-to-epitestosterone, the way positive tests are initially determined, before you fail the test).
Interestingly, it's been estimated that 10% of the male population can administer as much testosterone as they want without triggering a positive test. For them, testosterone use as a PED cannot be detected.
Some masters tracksters are currently making a stink about wanting TUEs for Low-T therapy. You'll never find me in their camp. I sympathize with their argument, but I think the answer has to be non-competitive participation waivers (you can compete, but not set records or win titles), not accepting testosterone use. That isn't just a slippery slope; that's sky-diving without a parachute.