I recently got some blood work done. I noticed that for hemocrit the normal band was listed as 42 - 52 (I realize the range may vary depending on who does the lab work). UCI rules suspend a rider for 2 weeks on a presumption of possible doping for a finding above 50.
Anyone ever test above 50? How much can hydration affect such a test?
Hmmmm mine was 37 in a test done Monday. I guess I am a sloth.
i tested right on 50. I was doing a study at the time and was fully hydrated, they told me the number may well go up if i was dehydrated.
I recently got some blood work done. I noticed that for hemocrit the normal band was listed as 42 - 52 (I realize the range may vary depending on who does the lab work). UCI rules suspend a rider for 2 weeks on a presumption of possible doping for a finding above 50.
And people with naturally high haematocrit can get an exemption.
I was just looking back at my most recent blood work (2 weeks ago) as well as results over a year ago – 43 both times. Crap. Must have gotten a bad batch of EPO… back to the doctor I go!
no worries… women have normally lower #'s than men. 37-47% for women is totally normal. besides, you are fast already
They don’t suspend riders for an above 50 Hct suspicion of doping. They give them a “medical” rest. Too high of number is deemed “dangerous and unfit to ride” so they have to get their number down and see the MD. The rules are pretty complicated as some people get a medical variance if they always test out at 51 or 52. Others that test out at 47 and suddenly get a 52 are “suspended”. The folks that live their lives above 10,000 feet test way high
There is no reason for a pro to ever test over 50 as you can do a 2 min test, give yourself an appropriate amount on IV solution and drop your number a few points. A certain Pro team manager used to be called" Mr. 55" the year he won the Tour. That was in the pre EPO testing days. They did and still do have an occasional stroke or sudden death among pro riders attributed to too high of level of Hct. When you get much above 55, and get dehydrated your blood gets pretty thick. If the blood ain’t thick you must acquit.
this is sadly disgusting… let EPO be used for its intended purposes only
to add some gas to this fire - here are some numbers which were presented at Michelle Ferrari’s trial - apparently from his “black book” from when he was the team doctor for Gweiss. You might recognize some of the names…
Coureur Taux au 15 décembre 1994 Taux au 24 mai 95 Bobrik 42.7 53 Cenghialta 37.2 54.5 Frattini 46 54 Volpi 38.5 52.6 Gotti 40.7 57 Furlan 38.8 51 Minali 41.7 54 Santaromita 41.4 45 Ugrumov 42.8 60 Berzin 41.7 53 Riss 41.1 56.3
I routinely tested between 52 and 55 on our annual department physicals. We figure that the amount of time I spend above 8000’ living, training and teaching had a lot to do with my high test values. It will be interesting to see how my labs will change this summer with my time at elevation extreemely limited this past year.
Weird, I don’t think I’ve ever had this tested, unless it was included in some random blood work when I was a kid and I never knew the results. Does everybody get stuff like this done frequently?
-C
If you are a youngster and not having surgery you probably don’t get labs drawn very often. If you are an old fut like me you get lab panels drawn a couple times a year. Usually not looking for elevated Hct, but they are part of a panel looking at cholestrol, cell counts, PSA, liver functions if you are on cholestrol meds. And if you are a guy when you hit the big 50 they always want to put a finger where is should not be. And women get their breasts smashed most every year. Life is a bitch getting old, but I guess it beats dying young.
Weird, I don’t think I’ve ever had this tested, unless it was included in some random blood work when I was a kid and I never knew the results. Does everybody get stuff like this done frequently?
-C
It is standard bloodwork. Due to some health problems I have had bloodwork done about 6 times in the past year. The trigeek in me always wants to know the hemocrit number.
It is tested every time you donate blood. I tend to be around 41. In my younger days, I have been turned down as a donor due to low hematocrit.