From what he’s said publicly he in no way would qualify for a TUE.
WADA even have a specific paragraph in the guidance to say that there needs to be an organic cause, and that functional states do not qualify. Likely given the high numbers of people who would otherwise attempt to claim, especially from the low-T with overtraining.
Quote:
Functional causes of low circulating testosterone
This list is representative of the more commonly observed conditions and not necessarily complete.
N.B.: TUEs should not be approved for low testosterone due to a functional state.
Functional low testosterone may be due to:
a. Severe psychological/emotional stress
b. Obesity (WHO grade III or IV – BMI>30)
c. Aging
d. Untreated obstructive sleep apnea
e. Overtraining, malnutrition/nutritional deficiency eating disorders, Relative Energy
Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)
f. Medication such as opioids, androgens, natural or synthetic androgens including
steroidal and non-steroidal (SARM) androgens, GnRH analogues, glucocorticoids,
progestins, estrogens, medication-induced hyperprolactinemia
g. Chronic systemic illness (kidney, liver, lung, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, malignancy,
inflammatory joint disease, HIV infection, Crohn’s disease, inherited metabolic storage
diseases)
h. Alcohol excess
Varicocele is not a cause of organic hypogonadism and not an acceptable diagnosis for a
TUE for testosterone treatment.
Andropause/Late Onset Hypogonadism (LOH) is not an acceptable diagnosis for a TUE
for hypogonadism.
I doubt there are too many Triathlon TUEs for T use floating about; isn’t it meant to help people achieve some semblance of normal life, rather than help them compete at demanding endurance events.
Inhaler: I might have a life threatening asthma attack.
TRT: I might not wake up with a boner, and get brain fog on the bike.
Just to add I’m not making light of those who haver a critical hormone deficiency that affects their quality of life; rather those who ‘need’ it to finish strenuous sporting events.
Well, there will be those who genuinely need it to live any semblance of a normal life (energy, bone health, sexual health), who then with it have completely normal energy and muscle function… and So then want to partake in sports.
But that’s a different population to those who have minor low-T WITHOUT a true organic cause of hypogonadism, who feel they can only run a 21 minute 5k and want T to be able to run 18 minutes or have more energy etc.
But the prevalence of organic cases that would qualify for TUE are very low, much much lower than say asthma, so therefore the prevalence of those with genuine causes who then happen to want to do sport will be low. But not zero. Obviously with a drug that is so clearly performance enhancing (compared to some others that are on the banned list) everyone hopes they’re only being restored to their normal level of function
ETA: what will be interesting going forwards is what happens to those with “functional” low testosterone.
For example it’s long been known that those with obesity, diabetes, high alcohol consumption etc have lower testosterone levels.
They’ve never previously been recommended to be tested or replaced in normal medicine guidelines, only in off-label anti aging wellness clinics (more popular in USA).
Now this is a long way from anything I’ll be involved with in my work, but it caught my attention regarding PEDs and anti-doping, so there’s increasing evidence that if you replace these patients testosterone back to normal levels, they have better metabolic outcomes, less heart attacks etc.
So whilst prevailing wisdom has always been to treat the underlying cause and encouraging them into healthier lifestyles, pragmatism now suggests at least helping improve their outcomes and reducing their future risk by any way we can. Hence I think there’s newer guidance suggesting GPs should test T in all diabetic patients.
I’m not a follower - I’ve only watched that one were he’s baiting triathletes - but if his doctor has agreed that he needs T, is he getting it on prescription?
I have no idea if he’s getting it on NHS or private prescription, which could be a whole other avenue.
But even if there is some reason that he meets a reason why NHS doctors think he needs testosterone, that doesn’t mean WADA agree that’s a legitimate reason to take testosterone AND still have the right to compete in competitive sport on a level playing field, when balanced alongside the rights of those who aren’t taking T.
most asthma inhalers are allowed under WADA anyway, even my Mark Fostair is allowed and is a super drug definitely enhancing my performance (but not even getting within 10% of my pre inhaler needs)
Conversely, I also watched a GCN video about Dan Lloyd getting back into riding (not PED related I hasten to add). Now there’s a guy I find much more genuine and I’m keen to hear more about his ‘journey’. Getting back into riding myself, I totally got the issue with looking over your shoulder with age
Actually the “Watt Life” YT guy (Max Willcocks?) also referenced the Fit at 40 thing. Watched any of his stuff? He’s a bit home counties, but certainly watchable.
Not really PEDs, but there’s a story in the news at the moment about the new wonder weight loss drugs reducing the effectiveness of birth control pills.
There was a woman on the radio this morning who’d unexpectedly got pregnant. She’d bought the drugs through an on-line pharmacy and said something along the lines of -
“There was a load of stuff to read, but I only skimmed over it. Who reads that stuff?”
never really looked into these new weight loss things, but they are literally just suppressing appetite, so the minute you lose enough weight and stop, your appetite returns and weight starts to pile on again as you return to your normal habits? bottom line we are back to you need to learn habits to change your life permanently and not just restrict calories temporarily to lose weight. How is this even healthy
You should see the stats of how many people are on them in the US. And that trend is following over here.
It’s written off billions from their food industry as a result.
Research is also reporting that taste is altered in people taking these drugs. Seems to be sweeter stuff that tastes worse, with some faring better.
People taking these drugs really need to be thinking about nutrient balance and density of the food that they do eat, now that the volume is a lot less.
But it’s bloody scary how, instead of fixing the food system, we’re just signing billions and billions over to big pharma!
Oh such a complex topic. For the morbidly obese it’s important to get the weight off for a multitude of reasons - thank goodness there’s a quick fix now. Then while they’re on that path you can implement the education. But just educating, failing and still being obese is a HUGE burden on everyone. We’ve had long philosophical discussions on Sunday runs with an array of medical and non-medical professionals.
From what I’ve read, this really is an unsurprising outcome. The drugs target hormones. So it’s no blimmin wonder. What piqued my curiosity is the possible side effects on thyroid. That’s going to be interesting one to follow up. Thyroid cancers are not life threatening (if caught early) but thyroid issues are not fun and lead to a lifetime of medication. The medication is cheap but still an interesting development.
As with so much “groundbreaking” medication, there’s always a side-effect and only time will tell just how much of a side-effect everyone has to deal with.
That is definitely where it has its place, but then this group of people usually have deeper issues leading to the overeating that caused the morbid obesity that needs addressing over just habit changing, but this is a deep topic for a PED thread
needs T, is he getting it on prescription?
definitely enhancing my performance (but not even getting within 10% of my pre inhaler needs)
