What could’ve caused elevated testosterone levels in Sonnen’s test?
Although it is true that very vigorous physical exertion can transiently increase levels of the male hormone testosterone, it is…
Although it is true that very vigorous physical exertion can transiently increase levels of the male hormone testosterone, it is a very slight increase and not nearly enough to be flagged as a positive test. For the test to be considered positive, we are not talking about just a couple of points over – but rather, multiples of the normal values (greater than six times the test/epi ratio).
Some people do have naturally occurring increased testosterone levels as compared to the standards. But if this is a factor, why were these “naturally occurring increased levels” not detected during Sonnen’s tests at UFC 104 or UFC 109, which he passed?
Could this all be due to lab error? Possible, but not likely. The lab in question is the UCLA’s Olympic Analytic Lab used by the U.S. and World Anti-Doping agencies. They test both an A and B sample just to check themselves. They happen to be more than 99 percent accurate. I’m no statistician, but I know that to be better than 99 percent accurate twice is no small feat. This is no similar home test or one that you purchased at your local health-food store. This lab is the best of the best.
And my personal favorite? This is all a CSAC conspiracy or mismanagement. I have been critical of past CSAC shenanigans, but there is nothing to suggest that in some way the commission intervened in this process or has any real interest in the outcome of any particular fighter’s drug screen. What’s in it for CSAC officials? What’s their motivation?
The bottom line is that Chael Sonnen failed a highly accurate test evaluated by an impeccable laboratory.
