Testosterone Supplements (Page 3)

It's not USAT that issues the TUE.  It's USADA. 

To put it into perspective.  USAT would be your state gov't.  USADA would be the Federal Gov't. 

TX_TRIron:  I'm sorry that you feel your passions over-rule the RULES of the sport in which you want to participate.  You can attempt to rationalize it anyway you want, but as soon as someone is taking T without a TUE (not a doctor's note) they are a cheat and more importantly a doper.

No one is going to tell you how to live your life, but if you feel that taking T is going to make it better, than by all means PLEASE do.  Quality of life is priority.  But don't dare sign up for a race while on it.

It's no different than if I said:  I am not good on hills so I'm just going to do one lap at Lake Placid so I can get my KQ or place higher in my AG.  What's that you say?  I'm cheating?  Who knew?!

Think you are a candidate for a TUE for Testosterone?

Here you go:  http://www.usada.org/uploads/guidancetestosterone.pdf

Please use this and wait. 

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A friend of mine recently looked into getting a TUE. He had consistent low T counts across a few years, as well as a potential defect that was causing low T.

In contacting the USADA, he found out that getting a TUE for testosterone invovled having the doctor submit the test results along with an opinion of what was the cause and why testosterone treatment (or other medical treatments that increase testosterone) were warranted. It can be quite a process.

after tapering for a race, he found that his T counts were up...This is also common for endurance athletes in that regular endurance training will lower T results. I am assuming it is due to training stress.

As to the "low T" phenomena....Dr.s are creating a market that they can treat. I am not saying that there aren't cases where people can benefit from taking supplements that increase testosterone, but I would guess that there are non medical solutions that would help as well. 

I also think that we should have an "all-drug" wave in Triathlon. it could be like this http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/update-all-drug-olympics/1198068/

LOL, No need to go get that "T" level tested Sir.  You my friend are just fine!  Come to think of it, maybe low T isn't such a bad thing. :-)   Thanks for the chuckle.

I know yeah?  I chuckle everytime people yell at me while I'm purposely drafting or use fins on the swim.  I don't get why they're all bent out of shape? 

I don't know anything about this T or TUE crap but this seems like a very reasonable explanation. I can't see why you wouldn't be allowed an exemption if you truly needed some sort of drug. Some of you guys go a little overboard with this crap. Would you appreciate it if you got sick and the doctor prescribed you an antibiotic and then you got disqualified cause it was in your system? likely not. I can guarantee if people have to choose between an erection and a triathlon then our beloved sport is done and USAT needs to just start liquidating assets cause I know the choice I would make!! Seems like there are other forms of cheating that you should get worked up over not this. I'm not saying everybody out there should be able to easily obtain an exemption but realistically if you are an AG'er in your 60's (or whatever age that starts becoming an issue) wanting to compete and you have low T and a doctor is legitimately prescribing something that is needed to improve your quality of life you should be able to get an exemption.

Which brings up a great question for me I guess. If for whatever reason I was ever tested, how the hell would I prove that I am not using a T supplement? I guarantee I will test well outside any legal limits for T levels in a man my age. Yet, I don't use anything!

I would like to say I could provide historical documentation from my/our reproductive endocrinologist that would back up my case but it would be a huge mistake if that was not accepted and/or the cost of me fighting the USADA on it was prohibitive and I was forced into not racing. Cause I know how competitive it can be with everyone fighting to win that 36th place in the 35-39 AG.