Is this really fair? (Saint's Thomas suspended for 'roids)

[BDBohnzie]

Originally Posted by NYCSkin

The possibility of having a positive steroid test from inhaled steroids is virtually impossible for a few reasons. I say this as a physician and former asthma researcher.

Firstly, inhaled steroids for asthma have minimal systemic effects due to their absorption at the local level (the lungs) to provide better targeted therapy. Therefore, their detectable blood level is null, unless I suppose you inhaled a tremendous dosage, which in any case would not be a clinically feasible approach to treating asthma.

More importantly, steroids used in asthma treatment are related to a certain hormone, cortisol, and not androgens (like testosterone-another hormone), which are anabolic (muscle building). The steroid testing done in the NFL looks for sources of anabolic steroids and not those steroids used to treat asthma.

And I agree that it will bode well for the Skins' running attack to have him out for this game...

For argument's sake, what if Thomas just happened to use the Advair right before his drug test. Would it be possible that with it being fresh in his system, that it could trigger a false positive in the test?

[NYCSkin]

Originally Posted by BDBohnzie

For argument's sake, what if Thomas just happened to use the Advair right before his drug test. Would it be possible that with it being fresh in his system, that it could trigger a false positive in the test?

If the NFL was testing for these types of steroids, I believe that only oral asthma steroids would register in a blood test, not Advair or similar inhaled steroids.

[STPainmaker]

The steroid component of this story is completely irrelevant. It's the Beta agonist portion of the Advair thats the issue. A Beta agonist stimulates Beta receptors which is also how ephedra works and this is why he got suspended. Ephedra and other "stimulants" are banned substances by the NFL. This has been an issue in track and field as well with guys taking ritalin/adderal for "ADD". These medications provide hyperacuity, and an overall wired feeling. Very similar to the cocaine induced sack attacks of Dexter Manley and LT.

Link

[STPainmaker]

The issue of cross reactivity NYCSkin brought up is definitely an issue but with respect to the stimulant part of advair and the short acting albuterol inhaler thomas took.
There is a definite known cross reactivity in certain test kits between Clenbuterol which they tested for and is considered a drug of abuse and the medication he takes as a rescue medicine for asthma albuterol.

This in my opinion means that either Mr. Thomas needs to get better medical/legal representation or the NFL further confirmed with a more specific test he actually was taking Clenbuterol. I feel it is most likely the former.

[jdlea]

That's really messed up. If it was his asthma medication that caused the positive test he should get a pass. However, gotta respect the stance of the NFL on this one. At least they show the aura of having a zero tolerance policy.