Possible Testosterone Explanation

[velogirl]

But think about it - have you EVER had a lab mess up one of your tests? I've had a lot of blood taken out and tested recently, and I know you've had the same batteries of tests that I have - and even more probably. Ever had a blood/urine test result reversed or found to have been "wrong"? Are their tests really that much more complicated or have smaller margins of error?

I've actually had a lab screw up my results once and gotten another patient's results another time (and I have an uncommon last name). In the first case, had we not questioned the results, I could've died if my doc had medicated me based on those results. Bad stuff. Human error.

[velogirl]

Has he issued a statement denying it?

He's denied it up & down. This is the best interview I've found.


http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...act/index.html

Being someone with an ongoing thyroid battle, I know too well how all our hormones are interrelated.

[maillotpois]

This NPR interview w/ the Velonews editor is also pretty good:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=5587194

[chickwhorips]

good articles. thanks.

does anyone know when the B tests will be in or about when they are doing it? couple days or week or already done just waiting for results?

[Deborajen]

I'm glad Floyd did an interview and made a statement for himself. I'm also glad anti-doping is taken seriously but geez - it could be doping, it could be alcohol, it could be cortisone shots for the hip injury, it could be thyroid, it could be who-knows-what-else. With so many maybes and so many potential false positives, it's too bad Floyd's reputation has already been given a permanent question mark over this test.

I don't know the guy, but I'm gonna go out on a naive limb and say he didn't do anything wrong. It just doesn't fit his "no excuses" character, and he doesn't come across the least bit sneaky or deceitful. Nope, I believe they're doing him wrong.

Deb

[SadieKate]

Anyone see The Colbert Report tonight? I think he had the best explanation. Because American men have big . . . well, you get the drift. He actually had quite a spiel about this topic.

[colby]

Anyone see The Colbert Report tonight? I think he had the best explanation. Because American men have big . . . well, you get the drift. He actually had quite a spiel about this topic.

I liked Colbert's comment about deserving to be recognised just for sitting on the saddle

Unfortunately, I don't see a video of it on Comedy Central's site.

[Bluetree]

But think about it - have you EVER had a lab mess up one of your tests? I've had a lot of blood taken out and tested recently, and I know you've had the same batteries of tests that I have - and even more probably. Ever had a blood/urine test result reversed or found to have been "wrong"? Are their tests really that much more complicated or have smaller margins of error?

Yes, labs do occasionally make errors. I work with thoroughbred race horses and testing is pretty stringent. I have a trainer friend who spent $100k in legal fees to clear his name of a false positive. It turned out the lab mislabelled some samples.

Keep in mind that testing labs are independent, profit-driven entities and human error is possible. I have members of the medical profession in my family (not to mention dating a number of physicians) and have learned that - depending on the hospital - bloodwork is done on site or contracted out to testing firms. Depending on the quality control demands of the hospital, testing protocol can vary. Most hospitals/labs are completely trustworthy, but when you witness the horrible ineptitude of places like Los Angeles' King-Drew hospital, we know that it isn't always so.

Politics can also affect the labs that are used. There is a situation right now where the lab chosen by the race tracks is headed by an ex-veterinarian. Sounds great, but this guy used to be the personal vet of Trainers A and B, whose horses have never had a positive. How does that make their rivals of Trainers A and B feel?

In horse racing, there have also been positives that were contaminated. One trainer's horses tested positive for drugs. He was suspended, until a number of other trainers (with impeccable reputations) suddenly came up positives. After costly trials and investigations, it turned out that the feed supply was contaminated. Even a few poppy seeds ingested by a race horse will produce a positive. The hay that was harvested was planted next to a poppy field!

In another recent case, a trainer's horse tested positive for "milkshaking", flushing bicarbonate into a horse's system to reduce fatigue. The horse was 90-1 and ran last. It didn't make sense. Why would a top trainer risk his license (he has some of the fastest horses in the country) for a nothing horse in a meaningless race? I personally know the guy and have seen how his barn operates - and believe him completely and totally innocent. His clients had enough belief in him that none abandoned him, and even many of his rivals say it was unlikely he milkshaked.

The way I see the Landis case, I have a similar feeling. It just doesn't make sense. From everything I've read and heard, his testosterone levels were low and there was nothing to suggest that he used it as a quick fix. Doping is inexcusable and had Landis' hemocrit levels been elevated, it would be a different story. But like I said, the facts I'm hearing about this one just doesn't make sense.

Joy