testing for anabolic steroids (part 2)
Immuno Assay (IA) This procedure uses antibodies that bind to specific drugs, or the metabolites of the drugs produced from their interaction with the body, in order to detect such substances. This test is only as good as the antibodies chosen, as antibodies vary in their specificity of binding; that is, they may also bind to other substances present in the sample that are not illegal by recognising a similarity in another ‘like’ molecule, and yet, as a result, indicate that an illegal substance would be used.
This would be a rare occurrence, through. This would be what is called a false positive result. Immunoassay has produced false positives with some decongestants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Therefore, if you know immunoassay is being used to test your sample, avoid these two classes of drugs prior to the event.
Types of Immunoassay: The two most commonly used IA techniques at present are Radio immunoassay (RIA) and fluorescence polarisation immunoassay (FPIA). RIA is used in the detection of certain 17-alpha-methyl, 17-alphaethyl, and 19-nortesterone anabolic steroids. The enzyme Multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT) is the easiest to perform; so if you aren’t sure which of the tests will be administrated, concentrate on beating EMIT. If you dont beat the EMIT test, then you will most likely be given the extremely sensitive GC/MS test, just as confirmation.
PharmChek: This is a band-aid type patch worn for about a week or more to absorb perspiration, and also detect for illegal substances excreted in sweat. The patch is tamper proof. There is little information available on how accurate and fool-proof this test currently is.
TestCup: This is another test where we have been left in the dark but consists of a specially designed cup which handles urine samples. It comes with a type of indicator which changes colour as it reacts to certain illegal substances that are present.
Cheating the Most common Test -the EMIT: This consists of knowing which test is going to be used for which drug in your next event. If you know the time that the drug will no longer be detectable for the relevant test after coming off it, you can just imply that time-scale on coming off the drug before the event. Quite simple really.
Listed below are the detection times for several drugs: Drug Approx. Detection time in urine using EMI Amphetamines 2 to 4 days Clenbuterol 2 to 4 days – detectable at 0.5ng/ml by GC/MS Nicotine No reliable data. Possibly a long time, because nicotine is fat. Soluble Peptide hormones (such as insulin, g/hormone and IGF-1), non detectable Anabolic steroids Oral steroids: 14 days and Injectable: 1 month
Important Note 1: The clearance times are only approximate, and will vary slightly depending on the ability of an individual’s body to clear a certain drug – this varies from person to person somewhat.
Important Note 2: Anabolic steroids can be tested for by RIA, HPLC, and GC/MS, in addition to EMIT. In order to pass a GC/MS or HPLC test, allow yourself longer in general for the drug to clear your system than it would for an EMIT test. Any drug can be tested for by GC/MS. Remember, drug clearance times vary from person to person.
Important Notes 3/4 for THE DREADED DECA: This steroid can still be detected in the body up to 18 months after your last shot. The good new is that there is no known test for the use of growth hormone or insulin, so you can go on using it right up till the same day of the event without getting caught.
One way to speed up the removal rate of any drug from your system is easy. You just have to speed up your metabolism by training harder with weights so you end up killing 2 birds with one stone to get stronger. If it’s fatty soluble drugs that you need to dilute quicker you should train harder with aerobic type exercises which will increase the breakdown of fats in the body, removing the stored drugs from their fatty stores.
An increased caloric intake, coupled with a greater number of total meals throughout the day will also boost your metabolism, and increase drug clearance. The method you use will depend on your contest goals and the drugs you have taken. For more great articles take a look at the mickhartblog and you will find so much useful feedback.
