Originally Posted by
Hermes
Yes, you are in violation and there is no TUE for testosterone. It is strictly prohibited in and out of competition. That is not the case with prednisone which is allowed out of competition with a TUE. You fill out a TUE, have your doctor sign it and submit along with supporting backup for an exemption. Upon review and approval, you are good to go. Here is the website to check all drugs.
http://www.globaldro.com/
Out of competition? How do they possibly enforce this? My testosterone tests squarely in the normal range, what would an official use as evidence of doping to disqualify me from competing in a race?
[QUOTE=Hermes;14181253]
Originally Posted by
Hermes
If you think about it, what is an acceptable level of testosterone that requires replacement therapy as a medical necessity. Let's face it. A 39 year old pro bike racer may have lower testosterone than a 23 year old and benefit from improved recovery from a testosterone patch.
Slippery slope argument. Quality of life is a medical necessity for many. I am not sure of the point you are trying to make.
Originally Posted by
Hermes
Testosterone's effectiveness is a function of weight. Here is a link.
http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/a...d=39281&sc=803 So proper diet, aerobic exercise along with strength training and weight control can go a long way to improving testosterone production and utilization.
No argument there but, again, what is your point? What if despite all the diet and exercise your testosterone remains at the level of a 9 year old boy? Just deal with it?
Originally Posted by
Hermes
As with most health issues, IMHO, public discussion is not a great idea and these matters are better kept private and discussed with medical professionals.
Hmmm. This flies in the face of the spirit of intellectual sharing that is the internet. The privacy is what leads to the abuse. So you keep your doping private and so do I and its all good. I disagree. I have firsthand knowledge of what can happen when one supplements 'T' for long periods of time without checking on what that is doing to their estrogen levels. I am going to share that knowlege in the hope that it will keep some other guy somewhere from making the same mistake. This thread seemed like the perfect place. I have never seen a discussion of this topic online before actually.
Originally Posted by
Hermes
I think the regulators have this one correct. I am not passing judgment of those that choose to take replacement. They cannot compete in USA cycling or UCI events.
No doubt they do. However, I doubt that it makes any difference. Garden variety 'T' is a low bar for drug testing. The stuff that cannot be tested for is the stuff that really makes or breaks a bike race. Just saying. I am not nor have ever been remotely interested in competition. However, if I was, and had testosterone levels low enough to be of concern enough to already conservative American doctors to warrant HRT... well I would seriously wonder about the wisdom of embarking on a racing carreer... ...
H