Immuno Assay (IA) This procedure uses antibodies that bind to specific drugs, or the metabolites of the drugs produced from their interaction with the body, in order to detect such substances. This test is only as good as the antibodies chosen, as antibodies vary in their specificity of binding; that is, they may also bind to other substances present in the sample that are not illegal by recognising a similarity in another 'like' molecule, and yet, as a result, indicate that an illegal substance would be used.



This though does not happen very often and very few false positive results come about. Certain decongestants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have lead to these false positive results so if you are aware that immunoassay is to be used as a test, then you should avoid using the previous drugs mentioned on the run up to an event.

Types of Immunoassay: Radio immunoassay (RIA), and fluorescence polarisation immunoassay (FPIA) are specific IA techniques currently being used. RIA can detect some17-alpha-methyl, 17-alphaethyl, and 19-nortesterone steroids. The enzyme Multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT), is the easiest to perform; so, if you don't know which test is going to be administrated, focus on beating EMIT. If you fail the EMIT test, then you will be given the extremely sensitive GC/MS test in some cases, as confirmation.

PharmChek: This is a band-aid type patch worn for about a week or more to absorb perspiration, and also detect for illegal substances excreted in sweat. The patch is tamper proof. There is little information available on how accurate and fool-proof this test currently is.

TestCup: Few details are currently available on this. The person to be tested urinates into a specially designed cup, which has an indicator that changes colour according to the presence of illegal substances.

Cheating the Most common Test -the EMIT: This consists of knowing which test is going to be used for which drug in your next event. If you know the time that the drug will no longer be detectable for the relevant test after coming off it, you can just imply that time-scale on coming off the drug before the event. Quite simple really.

Several drugs detection times;- Drug Approx. Detection time in urine using EMI Amphetamines between 2 and 4 days, Clenbuterol between 2 and 4 days - detectable at 0.5ng/ml by GC/MS Nicotine. There is no reliable data but Quite a while as nicotine is a fat soluble. Peptide hormones (like insulin, g/hormone and IGF-1) and non detectable Anabolic steroids Oral steroids about 2 weeks and Injectable about 1 month.

Important Note 1: These drugs are their clearance times are only rough estimates, although reasonably accurate ones, but the real time can vary on each individual according to the time it takes their system to expel the drugs.

Important Note 2: Steroids can also be tested for by HPLC, RIA and GC/MS as well as EMIT. To be able to pass a GC/MS or HPLC test make sure you allow more time for your body to clear the drug than in an EMIT test. Every drug can be tested for by GC/MS but just remember that drug clearance times differ from person to person.

Important Notes 3/4 for THE DREADED DECA: This steroid can still be detected in the body up to 18 months after your last shot. The good new is that there is no known test for the use of growth hormone or insulin, so you can go on using it right up till the same day of the event without getting caught.

One way to speed up the removal rate of any drug from your system is easy. You just have to speed up your metabolism by training harder with weights so you end up killing 2 birds with one stone to get stronger. If it's fatty soluble drugs that you need to dilute quicker you should train harder with aerobic type exercises which will increase the breakdown of fats in the body, removing the stored drugs from their fatty stores.

An increased caloric intake, coupled with a greater number of total meals throughout the day will also boost your metabolism, and increase drug clearance. The method you use will depend on your contest goals and the drugs you have taken. For more great articles take a look at the mickhartblog and you will find so much useful feedback.