Should MMA fighters be allowed to fight if they are on TRT?

Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Testosterone is a hormone produced by the testicles and is responsible for the proper development of male sexual characteristics. Testosterone is also important for maintaining muscle bulk, adequate levels of red blood cells, bone density, sense of well-being, and sexual and reproductive function.

Inadequate testosterone production is not a common cause of erectile dysfunction (ED). When ED does occur with decreased testosterone production, testosterone replacement therapy may improve the ED.
What causes testosterone deficiency?

As a man ages, the amount of testosterone in his body gradually declines. This natural decline starts after age 30 and continues throughout life. The significance of this decline is controversial and poorly understood. Among other potential causes of testosterone deficiency are:

injury or infection to the testicles
chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer
genetic abnormalities such as Klinefelter’s Syndrome (extra x chromosome)
hemochromatosis (too much iron in the body)
dysfunction of the pituitary gland (a gland in the brain that produces many important hormones)
medications, including hormone analogues used to treat prostate cancer and steroids
chronic illness
cirrhosis of the liver
chronic renal (kidney) failure
AIDS
inflammatory disease such as sarcoidosis (a condition that causes inflammation of the lungs and other organs)
stress
alcoholism
congenital conditions, Kallman’s Syndrome (low hormones, inability to smell and other abnormalities)

What are the symptoms of testosterone deficiency?

Symptoms of testosterone deficiency include the following:

decreased sex drive
decreased sense of well-being
depressed mood
difficulties with concentration and memory
erectile dysfunction

What are the changes that occur in the body with testosterone deficiency?

Changes that occur with testosterone deficiency include:

a decrease in muscle mass, with an increase in body fat
variable effects on cholesterol metabolism
a decrease in hemoglobin and possibly mild anemia
fragile bones (osteoporosis)
a decrease in body hair

How do I find out if I have a testosterone deficiency?

The only accurate way to detect the condition is to have your doctor measure the amount of testosterone in your blood. It sometimes may take several measurements of testosterone to be sure if a patient has a deficiency, since levels of testosterone tend to fluctuate throughout the day. The highest levels of testosterone are generally in the morning. This is why doctors prefer, if possible, to obtain early morning levels of testosterone.
What options are available for testosterone replacement?

The options available for testosterone replacement are:

intramuscular injections, generally every two or three weeks
testosterone patches worn either on the body or on the scrotum (the sac that contains the testicles). These patches are used daily. The body patch application is rotated between the buttocks, arms, back or abdomen.
testosterone gels that are applied daily to the shoulders, upper arms, or abdomen.

Each of these options provides adequate levels of hormone replacement. Each has side effects and advantages and disadvantages. Intramuscular injections produce wider swings in hormone concentration, with higher levels shortly after the injection and lower levels just before the next injection is due. They may also produce increases in blood cell count that are higher than normal.

The body patches may produce skin irritation in a significant number of men, requiring discontinuation of the patch. The gels require care in making sure that the hormone is not accidentally transferred to another person or partner.

There are currently no pills available in the United States that provide adequate levels of hormone replacement. In addition, oral medications may produce liver abnormalities and are to be avoided.

The choice of hormone replacement therapy is best made with a thorough discussion between a patient and his physician.
Who shouldn’t take testosterone replacement therapy?

Testosterone replacement therapy may stimulate growth of the prostate. If early prostate cancer is present, testosterone may stimulate the cancer’s growth. Therefore, men who have prostate cancer should not take testosterone replacement therapy. It is important for all men considering testosterone replacement therapy to undergo prostate screening before starting this therapy.

Although it is a rare condition, men who have breast cancer should not take testosterone replacement therapy.
What are the side effects of testosterone replacement therapy?

In general, hormone replacement therapy is safe. It is associated with some side effects, including:

acne or oily skin
mild fluid retention
stimulation of prostate tissue, with perhaps some increased urination symptoms such as decreased stream or frequency
breast enlargement
worsening of sleep apnea (a sleep disorder that results in frequent night time awakenings and daytime sleepiness)
decreased testicular size

Many of these side effects are not common.

Laboratory abnormalities that can occur with hormone replacement include:

changes in cholesterol concentrations
increase in red cell count
decrease in sperm count, producing infertility (especially in younger men)

If you are taking hormone replacement therapy, regular follow-up appointments with your physician are important.

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/testosterone_replacement_therapy/hic_testosterone_replacement_therapy.aspx

Should they be allowed to take TRT or should they have to fight with their natural levels?

Yes. WAR HENDO!

Yes. Testosterone affects a lot more in people's lives than just fighting. They shouldn't lose jobs because of it

I voted no. Other fighters have to fight with physical liabilities compared to others and they don't get special treatment.

yes they should

It should be allowed but it should be closely monitored.

the reaason why ythey have low levels needs to be examined

In Marquardts case its pretty damn clear he got off the roids and his levels dropped into vagina levels, read between the lines people

TRT is very common and the number one way to fix low testosterone, so I think it is OK. I just find it a little funny that he had the same problem as his pal Chael Sonnen.

Birdofthad wrote:

the reaason why ythey have low levels needs to be examined

In Marquardts case its pretty damn clear he got off the roids and his levels dropped into vagina levels, read between the lines people

I agree, same with Sonnen I think.

I voted yes.

BUT

Not until the treatment is fully and universally understood and there is peer acceptance and protocol in place nationally on it use among fight sports athletes.

freakzilla wrote:

Birdofthad wrote:

the reaason why ythey have low levels needs to be examined

In Marquardts case its pretty damn clear he got off the roids and his levels dropped into vagina levels, read between the lines people

I agree, same with Sonnen I think.

agree as well, the problem is Sonnen hadnt already failed a test before

also everyone forgetting Duffee had the same shit going on

Notice a pattern, take this shit and being on Danas bad side = get the fuck out

also the Penssylvania Athletic Commission has come out and called Marquardts "doctor" a quack.

Birdofthad wrote:

the reaason why ythey have low levels needs to be examined

In Marquardts case its pretty damn clear he got off the roids and his levels dropped into vagina levels, read between the lines people

That is something he acknowledged. Past roid use might be the reason. He admitted he used Andro for years. Which like they said is the same thing Mark McGwire was tied to.

Birdofthad wrote:

also the Penssylvania Athletic Commission has come out and called Marquardts "doctor" a quack.

sauce

I see that he admitted steroid use

and Im supposed to feel bad for him why exactly?

Taking steroids is what causes your body to stop producing testosterone. A lot of fighters probably take steroids then get a doctor to give them permission to take TRT. If TRT was banned then I bet you less fighters would take steroids.

Dude, some of your favorite fighters are roiders

Birdofthad wrote:

I see that he admitted steroid use

and Im supposed to feel bad for him why exactly?

It was not an illegal substance.

A lot of everyone's favorite fighters are on illegal substances. Any one who thinks otherwise has no clue

That's why I laugh at all the "outrage" when certain people get caught

GDPofDRC wrote:

Dude, some of your favorite fighters are roiders

never failed a test or had this happen to them though.


and some of your favorite fighters are on roids too

atleast they dont get a PR moron to go on a show with them and cry about it, he made his bed, fucking sleep in it

Birdofthad wrote:

GDPofDRC wrote:

Dude, some of your favorite fighters are roiders

never failed a test or had this happen to them though.


and some of your favorite fighters are on roids too

atleast they dont get a PR moron to go on a show with them and cry about it, he made his bed, fucking sleep in it

But roiders none the less.

The guy on the show with him is his manager.

And tell me who the fuck Nate is blameing other than himself when he actually could be pointing hthe finger else where.

WHO IS HE BLAMING BIRD?

GDPofDRC wrote:

Birdofthad wrote:

GDPofDRC wrote:

Dude, some of your favorite fighters are roiders

never failed a test or had this happen to them though.


and some of your favorite fighters are on roids too

atleast they dont get a PR moron to go on a show with them and cry about it, he made his bed, fucking sleep in it

But roiders none the less.

The guy on the show with him is his manager.

And tell me who the fuck Nate is blameing other than himself when he actually could be pointing hthe finger else where.

WHO IS HE BLAMING BIRD?

where do i say he is blaming others? He isnt BLAMING HIMSELF thats the problem, he admits to taking banned substances and being involved in something obviously shady as shit ACCORDING TO HIM, what do you really think happened?

who can he point the finger elsewhere at??

GDPofDRC wrote:

Birdofthad wrote:

GDPofDRC wrote:

Dude, some of your favorite fighters are roiders

never failed a test or had this happen to them though.


and some of your favorite fighters are on roids too

atleast they dont get a PR moron to go on a show with them and cry about it, he made his bed, fucking sleep in it

But roiders none the less.

The guy on the show with him is his manager.

And tell me who the fuck Nate is blameing other than himself when he actually could be pointing hthe finger else where.

WHO IS HE BLAMING BIRD?

?

bobbitt15 wrote:

GDPofDRC wrote:

Birdofthad wrote:

GDPofDRC wrote:

Dude, some of your favorite fighters are roiders

never failed a test or had this happen to them though.


and some of your favorite fighters are on roids too

atleast they dont get a PR moron to go on a show with them and cry about it, he made his bed, fucking sleep in it

But roiders none the less.

The guy on the show with him is his manager.

And tell me who the fuck Nate is blameing other than himself when he actually could be pointing hthe finger else where.

WHO IS HE BLAMING BIRD?

?

my thoughts exactly

He could blame Keizer like Sonnen did.