Posts Tagged ‘natural steroid’

A South African press report has suggested that testosterone levels of Caster Semenya were within the range that permits her to participate in women’s races.

Semenya had a spectacular win at Berlin in the 800m World Championship final after which her testosterone levels were found three times higher than normal.

From Guardian.co.uk:

Sources within the ASA told South Africa’s Mail & Guardian this week that said Semenya had taken a standard urine test – taken by all athletes – and not gender verification to make sure she was eligible to compete. “She was tested three years ago when she started competing and it was found that she is a woman. She may have rather high levels of male hormones but she is definitely a woman,” the source said.

Another source said she has been tested and found to be a woman, and the issue of whether or not an athlete is tested has to be kept confidential. “Of course it is controversial but results are made known only if there is a problem.”

Chris Hattingh, the chair of ASA’s anti-doping committee, says a urine sample taken for a doping test is often used to test the ratio between testosterone and epi-testosterone. Epitestosterone is a natural steroid produced by the body but can be used to mask the appearance of an unusually high amount of testosterone and is classified as a prohibited substance. The urine sample given for doping tests is taken by a person of the same gender who is also authorised to check any irregularities in the athlete’s genitalia.

It was suggested by the press report that Semenya’s testosterone levels were not much of a concern despite being higher than usual.

It may be surprising to you, but steroids are produced in a natural form by the human body. Testosterone, the sex hormone, is such a steroid produced by the body but this naturally producing testosterone cannot be used a medicine.

In the human body, testosterone is released on a gradual basis into the bloodstream by the pituitary gland. This natural steroid is also produced by the male testes to be broken down by the body enzymes for performing routine activities of the body.

When a male reaches the end of puberty stage, the amount of naturally producing testosterone increases to a significant extent and continues to enjoy the high level for 4-6 months before returning to the normal level. It is at this time that male characteristics such as growth of facial hair and deepening of voice are experienced. The surge in testosterone level is what completes the sexual maturation in young boys. However, some males do not experience this “testosterone burst” and this is when they are advised by members of the medical fraternity to be administered with synthetic testosterone. For this, anabolic steroids that are derivatives of testosterone are prescribed to be used as per the medical recommendations.

For bodybuilders and professional sportsmen, a high level of testosterone is a good sign of health and fitness as it allows them to get engaged in strenuous workouts for developing solid muscle mass and size besides offering a unique ability to stay ahead of the competition without any side effects.

We hope that this article on testosterone has helped you to get a complete and clear insight about it.