Common Detection Methods for Anabolic Steroids

Anabolic steroids are an established part of serious athletics, though they are banned by all major sports organizations. Use of anabolic steroids is seen as conferring unfair advantage, and it is often referred to as "doping." Athletes are regularly screened for use.

  1. Urine testing

    • Urine tests are often administered randomly to high school athletes.

      Urine testing is the most common form of drug testing used. Urine-testing compares testosterone and epitestosterone levels, and it might also test for other chemicals. Generally, any non-natural chemical with over 2 nanograms per milliliter of urine is seen as suspicious.

    Head hair testing

    • Hair testing for anabolic steroid use is less common than urine testing because of increased cost. Hair testing, however, is also more reliable because of a lack of reliable or affordable countermeasures on the part of the athletes being tested. A complex process prepares small hair samples for mass spectrometry.

    False positives on tests

    • Tests can return positive for reasons other than steroid usage. This can include the use of oral contraception among females as some contraceptives contain steroids such as norethisterone; and pregnancy changes hormone balances within the body. Some cancers and other medical conditions can also cause a false positive by altering blood hormone chemistry.