The 'undetectable booster'
14 April 2012
- Tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) is a specially designed anabolic steroid, that has been tweaked by chemists to make it undetectable under normal testing.
- All steroids have the hormone testosterone as their base. They increase aggression and competitiveness, muscle strength, size and power.
- Anabolic steroids are legally used in the medical profession for conditions such as osteoporosis, some forms of anaemia, because they stimulate blood cell production, and to promote the recovery process after surgery and serious illness
- Abuse can lead to sideeffects such as development of male features in women, loss of fertility, impotence, acne and kidney damage.
- They also can increase blood pressure, harden arteries and increase the risk of heart disease and liver disease and certain forms of cancer.
- Earlier this year a highprofile coach tipped off anti-doping experts about abuse by athletes and sent a syringe of THG to the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) which has now developed a test for the drug.
- UK Sport wants to introduce the test for the drug here as soon as possible. It will also be used to re-analyse all samples taken at the world athletics championships in Paris in August.
