Possible Testosterone Explanation

[velogirl]

My understanding of the science behind this is that epitestosterone (type that ten times fast) elevates when there isn't enough testosterone in the body and lowers when there's too much. So if his T is low and his E is also low, there's something wrong there. Hmmm.

I'm keeping the faith, even though I've stated elsewhere on this forum that I think just about everyone in the pro peloton dopes/supplements. I love Floyd and sure hope the B sample proves this wrong (or at least inconclusive).

[maillotpois]

But even if the B sample is negative or inconclusive - unless there's some real medical reason behind this, like his body produces more naturally, etc, (which should have come up in past tests) everyone will always wonder and that is just terrible.

[velogirl]

But even if the B sample is negative or inconclusive - unless there's some real medical reason behind this, like his body produces more naturally, etc, (which should have come up in past tests) everyone will always wonder and that is just terrible.

I think everyone already wonders (about everyone, not just Floyd). If the B is neg or incon, it means there could possibly be a mistake in the way the A sample was handled, stored, or the test administered.

[maillotpois]

You're right - I wonder about everyone - the riders, the labs, the coaches, the press. And I know these guys are tested all the time, so statistically their chances of having an incorrect test results are higher than mine. 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?

[mimitabby]

not to mention; what does 70 waterbottles of water in one day do to your blood chemistry????

[SadieKate]

Remember about half went on his head.

[mimitabby]

Even if 2/3 went over his head, the effect of that much water during a high stress situation like that could certainly affect the relative readings on a test.
I mean this is the extreme edge of human physical performane!

[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.

[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