I made an enquiry with ASADA today on this matter. They stated that TUE (therapeutic use exemption) had been granted for hormone replacement therapy in the past. The advice was to seek advice and documentary support from a medical practitioner (such as an endocrinologist) and to file a TUE application BEFORE you use anything.
It's made me think. I have heard of some masters lifters and others being prescribed Testosterone Replacement for genuine reasons. I'm not that keen on the idea of TRT, but my testosterone levels when tested last year were well below the normal range for my age (a reading of 9).
Although my training gains are still okay, I have some issues going into any contest where another competitor has had their testosterone levels artificially augmented. I have no problem competing against someone who has naturally higher test levels than mine and having them wipe the floor with me, but if I'm at 9 and someone else has artificially boosted theirs to 15, then it's certainly not a level playing field and not a natural outcome.
Its a difficult question I guess - although the HRT may only be boosting your test to normal levels and even though you may get an exemption from ASADA you are still taking an essentially performance enhancing drug which I dont think is in the spirit of the rules. By all means look at taking it for heath reasons which is what I am doing at the moment as I had my levels tested recently and got a bit of a shock so I may have to look at HRT but I dont think it is fair to lift in a tested federation when you are on HRT (even though you may have an exemption). I must add that I lift in an untested federation so it is a non-issue for me. Keep us up to date on how you go mate.
It is the individual differences between athletes that determines their performance. Some have naturally good levers, some have naturally good endocrine systems (high testosterone) some have naturally good attitude. Not many have all three.
I intend on being fully transparent on the issue should I ever implement a program of HRT I would only compete with both the blessing of ASADA and the federation. I even left my name and details with ASADA during my initial enquiries. It's not an option for me yet as I'm not yet convinced that it is a totally safe thing to do and I want to live to see my grandchildren.
If I can establish that no one else in my competition age group is undergoing HRT them there is absolutely no way I would even consider its use, even if it were guaranteed as not being hazardous to my health.
It is the individual differences between athletes that determines their performance. Some have naturally good levers, some have naturally good endocrine systems (high testosterone) some have naturally good attitude. Not many have all three.
No offense taken mate. We need thick skin as the great unwashed have us all down as roid users according to the stereotype.
My uncle is in his 50's and started trt a while ago, it's like he is a different person, heaps more drive, no depression and he is kicking life goals
...
I say do it for your quality of life and mental well beign not for you powerlifitng.
Powerlifting considerations aside, this sounds enormously attractive. I had no idea that low testosterone was even an issue for us old-timers.
But once started, are you stuck on it for life? And do the nuts go into an early, shrivelled retirement?
HRT is only genuinely therapeutic is its for an actual medical condition that results in low test (eg hypgonadism). Natural ageing will not be considered a sufficient factor. A lot of masters IPF lifters in the US have sought exemptions from USADA for the same thing and have been knocked back. There's actually a whole discussion on it the minutes of IPF meetings. The IPF has said that it was considering an exemption for a case of congenital deficiency and that this kind of situation was likely to be the only opportunity for exemption:
http://www.powerlifting-ipf.com/fileadmin/data/Newscontainer/Minutes_GA_2010_HP.pdf (see section 6(a))
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?