Testing For Anabolic Steroids (Part 2)
by Mick Hart
Immuno Assay (IA) This is whereby antibodies are used as mirror
images to track down illegal cells and if they find one they
bond to the molecular cell. They can also detect the metabolites
which are produced when the illegal substance enters the body.
The test though is only as good as the antibodies that are
employed as they could ending up bonding to some other body that is not an illegal substance, but still producing a negative test result.
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: Radio immunoassay (RIA), and fluorescence
polarisation immunoassay (FPIA) are specific IA techniques
currently being used. RIA can detect some17-alpha-methyl,
17-alphaethyl, and 19-nortesterone steroids. The enzyme
Multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT), is the easiest to
perform; so, if you don't know which test is going to be
administrated, focus on beating EMIT. If you fail the EMIT test,
then you will be given the extremely sensitive GC/MS test in
some cases, as confirmation.
PharmChek: This is a plaster like patch which you will have to
wear for just over a week and whose function is to absorb your
sweat and then detect any possible illegal substances that may
have been in your body. The patch itself is tamper-proof and the
actual accuracy of the results found is actually unknown at this
moment in time.
TestCup: There isn't much known about this test either, but it
basically involves a specially designed cup which is used to
take urine samples. It possesses an indicator which will change
colour depending on which substances are found 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.
Here below are the detection times for certain 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. Quite a long time as nicotine is fat
soluble. Peptide hormones (like insulin, g/hormone and IGF-1),
non detectable Anabolic steroids Oral steroids: 2 weeks 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: Steroids can also be tested for by HPLC, RIA
and GC/MS as well as EMIT. To be able to pass a GC/MS or HPLC
test make sure you allow more time for your body to clear the
drug than in an EMIT test. Every drug can be tested for by GC/MS
but just remember that drug clearance times differ 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.
Another good method to increase your metabolism and drug
clearance rate is by taking on additional calories and adding on
extra daily meals. The right way for you will depend on what you
want to achieve at your next event as well as the drugs that you
plan on taking. If you feel that you need more information on
this matter you can get great advice on the mickhartblog and you
will soon feel more confident.
Testing For Anabolic Steroids (Part 1)
About the author:
Article By Leading Bodybuilding And Steroid Expert Mick Hart. For more bodybuilding and training information visit Mick's new blog
