Diuretics to hide presence of anabolic steroids

Doping tests are not revealing the presence of anabolic steroids and sportsmen on steroids have endless reasons to smile - thanks to diuretics.

Compounds like epitestosterone, plasma expanders, and secretion inhibitors are in great demand today and have been "motivating" sportsmen on steroids to reap and optimize the associated benefits without coming in proximity to the suspicious eyes of anti-doping officials.

From Entertainment.howstuffworks.com:

Epitestosterone

Epitestosterone is a biological form of testosterone that does not enhance performance. Drug tests for testosterone typically measure the ratio of testosterone to epitestosterone (T/E ratio). An athlete can inject epitestosterone, lower the T/E ratio and hide the use of testosterone. By itself, epitestosterone has no real harmful side effects.

Plasma Expanders

Plasma expanders are substances that are used to increase the fluid component of blood. They are used to treat victims of shock, trauma and surgery. Athletes can use these substances to dilute the concentration of banned substances (EPO) in their blood. Most side effects include moderate to severe allergic reactions.

Secretion Inhibitors

Many drugs and foreign substances have structures that are shaped like organic acids. In the body, these organic acids are removed by a protein in the kidney that transports organic acids. If this protein can be blocked, then these drugs or foreign substances would not appear in the urine. Doctors use these inhibitors to treat gout. However, the drugs can be used to manipulate the results of urine drug tests. Possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions and kidney problems.

The fact that scientists and anti-doping officials have not yet find a way out for identifying diuretics is surely giving more than just a reason to professional sportsmen to have the last laugh.