(Tetrahydrogestrinone)
The Clear Steroid
The “clear,” also known as tetrahydrogestrinone (THG), is a synthetic anabolic steroid designed to enhance athletic performance while avoiding detection in doping tests. Unlike traditional anabolic steroids, THG was developed relatively recently, making its debut in the early 2000s. Its creation stemmed from a desire to provide athletes with a substance that could enhance their physical capabilities without being easily detected by anti-doping measures.
THG’s chemical structure is unique, combining elements of gestrinone and trenbolone, two potent steroids known for their anabolic effects. This combination results in a substance that can significantly increase muscle mass and strength, leading to improved athletic performance.
One of the key advantages of THG, from the perspective of athletes seeking to evade doping tests, is its ability to remain undetectable using conventional testing methods. Athletes who used THG believed they could gain a competitive edge without fear of repercussions, as it was not included in standard testing protocols.
However, the clandestine nature of THG’s development eventually came to light when a disgruntled coach, Trevor Graham, sent a sample of the substance to Don Catlin at the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for analysis. This revelation led to widespread scrutiny and condemnation within the sports community, highlighting the ongoing battle against doping in sports.
The discovery of THG prompted authorities to revise and expand doping detection protocols to include previously undetected substances like THG. This incident underscored the challenges faced by anti-doping agencies in keeping pace with the constant evolution of performance-enhancing drugs and the ingenuity of those seeking to exploit them.
Why wasn’t the “clear” detectable?
The “clear,” or tetrahydrogestrinone (THG), remained undetectable in doping tests primarily due to its unique chemical structure and the lack of specific testing protocols designed to identify it. Here are some factors that contributed to its elusiveness:
- Novel Chemical Structure: THG was chemically distinct from traditional anabolic steroids, making it difficult for standard testing methods to detect. Its chemical composition, derived from gestrinone and trenbolone, gave it properties that were not easily recognized by existing testing procedures.
- Lack of Testing Protocols: Before the revelation of THG’s existence, anti-doping agencies did not have specific tests in place to detect this particular substance. Athletes who used THG believed they could evade detection because it was not included in routine doping tests.
- Limited Knowledge: The clandestine nature of THG’s development meant that anti-doping authorities were unaware of its existence until a sample was provided for analysis. Without prior knowledge of the substance, testing laboratories were not equipped to identify it.
- Minimal Metabolite Formation: THG may have produced minimal metabolites or breakdown products in the body compared to other steroids, further complicating its detection. This characteristic made it harder for testing methods reliant on metabolite detection to identify THG use retrospectively.
- Timing of Administration: Athletes who used THG likely timed their administration carefully to minimize detection windows. By strategically dosing the substance and considering its pharmacokinetics, athletes could exploit the limited detection window of conventional testing methods.
Overall, the combination of THG’s unique chemical structure, the absence of specific testing protocols, limited knowledge among anti-doping agencies, and strategic administration by athletes contributed to its ability to remain undetectable in doping tests until it was exposed through external means.
It was developed by Patrick Arnold
Patrick Arnnold, organic chemist and bodybuilder first synthesised the clear. It only actually came to light because of a disgruntled coach who sent a sample to Don Catlin of the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Don Catlin was head of the World Anti Doping Agency
“Its hard for me to say he’s brilliant…its hard to call somebody who works the other side of the street brilliant.
Don Catlin of the World Anti-Doping Agency.
We were absolutely blind to it”
The properties of the Clear
To begin with, it possesses significant androgenic and progestogenic properties. However, I question its suitability for bodybuilders. While this may seem contradictory, I believe that achieving the level of muscle mass or definition required for competitive bodybuilding using this substance would likely result in pronounced progesterone-related side effects.
On a per-milligram basis, I suspect it is highly potent, with a recommended daily dosage falling somewhere between 5 to 10 milligrams. Among BALCO athletes, it was typically administered sublingually, with a few drops absorbed under the tongue. Personally, I would have been interested to observe its performance as a nasal spray, but unfortunately, that remains unanswered.
THG, essentially a 17-alpha ethylated derivative of gestrinone, exhibits strong affinity for the androgen receptor, akin to its parent compound. Consequently, it likely induces the lipolytic (fat-burning) and anabolic (muscle-building) effects commonly associated with potent androgen binding. Regrettably, it also demonstrates progestogenic activity approximately seven times more potent than progesterone itself, making it significantly more powerful as a progestin than nandrolone.
Although it lacks aromatization capability and appears resistant to 5-alpha reductase, its profound progestogenic activity suggests a potential for unprecedented inhibition of natural testosterone production. Moreover, its potent stimulation of the progesterone receptor may have contributed to athletes experiencing improved recovery and reduced post-workout fatigue.
The extent of its suppression of natural testosterone production is difficult to fathom, but it is likely remarkably suppressive. This may explain why it was administered orally or why it was often combined with the Cream, a testosterone-based transdermal product.
The street value and underground availability of such a substance are uncertain, and it is unlikely to become widely accessible anytime soon.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the case of THG, or the “clear,” serves as a reminder of the ongoing cat-and-mouse game between athletes seeking an unfair advantage and anti-doping authorities striving to maintain the integrity and fairness of sports competitions. It underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring and adaptive strategies in combating doping in sports.
Raw Data
- Formula (base): C12 H28 O2
- Molecular Weight (base): 312.46
- Melting Point: Unknown
- Active life: Undefined (~24 hours?)
- Effective Dose (Men): Undefined
- Detection Time: Unclear
- Anabolic: Androgenic ratio: Undefined
- Tetrahydrogestrinone (THG)