Men's Health > Steroids > THG Steroids

THG Steroids by Balco

Known as a “designer” steroid,
THG’s complete name is tetrahydrogestrinone, and is used by athletes to enhance their performance.

The United States Food and Drug Administration issued a statement on October 28, 2003 that THG is a new unapproved drug.

It therefore cannot be marketed without the FDA’s approval because it poses some health risks to consumers, and (not surprisingly) is working with other agencies to aggressively enforce this prohibition. While manufacturers would most likely introduce THG as a dietary supplement, the FDA believes that it does not meet the official definition of what a dietary supplement is.

THG, according to the FDA, is associated with two other synthetic anabolic steroids: gestrinone and trenbolone and they are taken by athletes who want to build muscle mass. THG was reported to the FDA by the US Anti-Doping Agency.

THG Steroid News

In 2003, four US Track and Field athletes and at least one famous European sprinter were discovered to have used THG. A scandal erupted involving the use of THG; and suggests that it was manipulated by chemists so that it becomes undetectable during doping tests. The scandal apparently began when an athletics coach anonymously contacted the US Anti-Doping Agency reporting that top athletes have been using THG. He then submitted a syringe containing THG to the doping agency, and they proceeded to analyze the components.

The reason athletes use THG is to deliver a top notch performance during competition and to have a boost of strength during competition. THG is also used to enable tired athletes recover quickly from the rigorous training. If the name “Balco” ever comes up in steroid conversation, it was identified by the FDA as the source of THG.

THG: Friend or Foe?

Opinion is divided about the use of enhancers by athletes. Professional sports can be a taxing occupation, and fatigue is the number one enemy of athletic competition. There are therefore groups of individuals who would support the use of THG while others espouse zero tolerance for any type of drug or supplement in professional competition.

Even if the use of steroids is pervasive in sports today, efforts continue to prevent athletes from using it. As a result of the scandal, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has transmitted testing methods for THG to all laboratories involved with the International Olympic Committee.

The test for THG detection was developed by the University of California in Los Angeles, and is now officially going to be used as part of the regular blood doping screening process conducted by laboratories.

THG Steroid Dangers

THG, like other anabolic steroids, is potentially very dangerous. It can cause damage to the liver, cause heart disease and trigger rage and anxiety. Although not enough scientific evidence can prove it, doctors believe that THG, because of its components, can also cause hair growth in women, and baldness and infertility in men.

Since the scandal broke out, more sports will be employing THG testing. These include horseracing (where urine samples of thoroughbreds will be tested for THG), the International Ski Federation, the NCAA, and others.

Drew Voight