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MLB Suspends Manny Ramirez 50 Games for HCG

Los Angeles Dodgers Manny Ramirez tested positive for testosterone and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) according to ESPN's Mark Fainaru-Wada and T.J. Quinn. Ramirez’ testosterone:epitestosterone ratio exceeded the 4:1 permitted by Major League Baseball (MLB). An elevated T:E ratio is indicative of exogenous testosterone use but not conclusive proof of illegal steroid use. Ramirez received an HCG positive when urinary levels exceeded the established threshold for doping.

MLB decided to suspend Ramirez for 50 games ONLY for the positive HCG test. The MLB acknowledged that Ramirez may have been able to prove that the testosterone positive was not caused by the ingestion of a banned or prohibited substance. Manny Ramirez, while admitting the use of HCG, was prepared to fight any allegation that he used banned anabolic steroids. HCG is NOT and anabolic steroid.

Manny Ramirez purportedly was prescribed HCG as a treatment for sexual dysfunction. In a statement, Ramirez claims that the HCG was given to him by a doctor for a “personal health issue.”

Recently I saw a physician for a personal health issue. He gave me a medication, not a steroid, which he thought was OK to give me. Unfortunately, the medication was banned under our drug policy. Under the policy that mistake is now my responsibility. I have been advised not to say anything more for now. I do want to say one other thing; I've taken and passed about 15 drug tests over the past five seasons. I want to apologize to Mr. McCourt, Mrs. McCourt, Mr. Torre, my teammates, the Dodger organization, and to the Dodger fans. LA is a special place to me and I know everybody is disappointed. So am I. I'm sorry about this whole situation.

Ramirez’ explanation for the positive doping result was met with skepticism. “Testosterone and similar drugs are effective for erectile dysfunction in that they jazz up your sex drive,” according to Dr. Charles Yesalis, a doping expert at Penn State. “But far more clinicians accept that affect with Viagra and Cialis. It’s hard for me to understand if it was erectile dysfunction why they would use it.”

The fact that HCG is commonly used by anabolic steroid users both during and after a steroid cycle did not help the credibility of Ramirez’ explanation. Disgraced former MLB baseball player and whistleblower Jose Canseco was recently caught attempted to smuggle HCG across the border from Mexico last fall. Steroid users use HCG to self-treat anabolic steroid induced hypogonadism that occurs after steroid cessation. The use of anabolic steroids suppresses an individual’s natural production of testosterone.

HCG is utilized by steroid-using athletes in a variety of ways. Traditionally, it has been used after a steroid cycle to help restore testicular size and function as part of an overall post cycle therapy protocol (PCT). But given that HCG continues to suppress the pituitary messenger that signals the body to make its own testosterone, HCG is not effective as a standalone PCT protocol. It is usually accompanied by a regimen of drugs such as Clomid (clomiphene citrate) and/or Nolvadex (tamoxifen citrate) in order to restore peptide hormones luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) that naturally signal the body to produce testosterone.

HCG can also be used during a steroid cycle to prevent testicular atrophy. HCG use in this manner is based on the idea that preventing testicular atrophy during a steroid cycle will make it easier to restore natural testosterone production after the cessation of anabolic steroids. In both cases, HCG is used for harm reduction and health restoration purposes by steroid-using athlete.

Manny Ramirez is a huge fan favorite in Los Angeles. There is even a section in Dodger Stadium called "Mannywood". So, the loss of Ramirez to a 50 game suspension is a huge blow to fans. However, judging by early indicators, the Dodger fans seem to be very forgiving. "We're coming regardless," said one fan proudly wearing his Mannywood t-shirt. "We still love him. Everybody makes mistakes. He's not the first and he won't be the last."

Sources

“Manny Ramirez's 'I'm back' is now 'I'm gone',” May 8, 2009

“HCG helps steroid users restore testosterone,” May 8, 2009

“Sources: Ramirez used fertility drug,” May 7, 2009

“Source: Manny Ramirez Suspension Linked to Sexual Enhancer,” May 7, 2009

“Anabolic Steroid Induced Hypogonadism (ASIH),” by Michael Scally, MD

“Inhibition and Recovery of Natural Testosterone Production,” by Bill Roberts

By Millard Baker

http://www.millardbaker.com

www.SteroidsRx.com

30 Month Steroid Cycle of Testosterone Safe and Effective Birth Control

NBC chief medical editor Dr. Nancy Snyderman raved about the potential of a new male contraceptive to anchor Ann Curry on the NBC Today Show on May 6, 2009. It is purportedly better than condoms but not quite as effective as the female pill. “This one measures up pretty well,” reported Dr. Snyderman. “The fact that you can have an injection, that it works while you take, but when you stop it you get sperm counts back. That’s very interesting in the study.”

Snyderman was not alone in her enthusiasm. Other experts believed the new discovery could revolutionize male birth control. Snyderman and her colleagues were referring to a new study to be published in the June 2009 issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism that involved a monthly injection to suppress sperm production. Of course, to the many individuals who are familiar with the effects of anabolic steroids, the new contraception sounded a lot like steroids. Not surprisingly, the new study utilized the long-acting anabolic steroid testosterone undecanoate in a thirty month cycle. The study showed the male contraceptive to be safe, effective and reversible. “Within the next five years, you’re going to see it [on the market],” predicted Dr. Snyderman. “It looks pretty safe.”

The study entitled “Multicenter Contraceptive Efficacy Trial of Injectable Testosterone Undecanoate in Chinese Men” was funded by the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO also participated in the study design and methodology. The contraceptive efficacy study involved the use of monthly injections of testosterone undecanoate for a period of 30 months. The study used a testosterone undecanoate (TU) preparation with 250mg of TU in 2ml of tea seed (Mellaleuca) oil. The injectable steroid was manufactured by the Chinese pharmaceutical company Zhejiang Xian Ju Pharmaceutical Corporation. Study participants were injected with an initial loading dose of 1000mg testosterone undecanoate with a 4 mL injection in each buttock. Subsequent injections of 500mg (4 mL) in a single buttock were administered in monthly intervals for the next 30 months. Researchers allowed for a 6-month “suppression phase” to suppress spermatogenesis adequately; this was followed by a 24-month “efficacy phase”.

Spermatogenesis was effectively suppressed in the majority of participants. The researchers concluded that testosterone undecanoate was highly effective at preventing pregnancy with very few side effects. "For couples who can not, or prefer not to use only female-oriented contraception, options have been limited to vasectomy, condom and withdrawal," said lead researcher Dr Yi-Qun Gu of the National Research Institute for Family Planning in Beijing. "Our study shows a male hormonal contraceptive regimen may be a potential, novel and workable alternative."

Testosterone has been known to effectively suppress spermatogenesis since it was first investigated for male contraception in the 1970s. In fact, weekly injections of 200mg testosterone enanthate (TE) were then shown to be a safe and effective birth control method. Unfortunately, the short duration of action of the enanthate ester requiring weekly injections made this method of contraception "impractical". As a result, some experts have looked to the long-acting testosterone undecanoate as the solution because it only requires a monthly injection as opposed to a weekly injection.

Some experts are skeptical about the widespread adoption of testosterone undecanoate as male birth control. Most of the concerns involve issues other than safety.

“This new formulation appears to be a success,” admits Elaine Lissner of the Male Contraception Information Project. “However, hormonal male contraceptives seem to work differently in Chinese and Caucasian men,” warns Lissner. “Testosterone alone, which was used in this study, is not considered effective enough; studies in Caucasian men add a progesterone hormone to the regimen.”

"This as been known for 15 and 20 years that [testosterone injections] are quite effective and that there is a limitation that it didn't work on everybody," according to contraceptive researcher Dr. Ronald Swerdloff. "But there's another problem and the other problem is that it doesn't work right away.” It often takes as long as six months to achieve suppression of spermatogenesis.

Furthermore, pharmaceutical companies may be reluctant to invest money in testosterone as a male contraceptive since there are so many inexpensive and effective options for female birth control.

"There hasn't been success in finding a pharmaceutical company that wants to take on this approach," said Swerdloff. "The reasons for that, in my opinion, are the same reasons that in general there have been very, very few new contraceptions for men, or even for women." After all it is easier to suppress a single egg every month than millions of sperm.

Nonetheless, the medical research supporting the safety and efficacy of anabolic-androgenic steroids for male contraception is very encouraging. Androgen research supporting the relative safety of anabolic steroids will hopefully open the door to increase research interest in the potential therapeutic applications of anabolic steroids.

Sources

“Injectable Testosterone May Provide Effective Male Contraception,” May 5, 2009

“Male 'contraceptive jab' closer,” May 5, 2009

“One Step Closer to Birth Control Shot for Men,” May 5, 2009

“Birth control for men in one injection,” May 5, 2009

By Millard Baker

http://www.millardbaker.com

www.SteroidsRx.com

Todd Matherne Sues the State Citing Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Convicted steroid dealer Todd Matherne owes $47 million dollars in taxes to the Louisiana Department of Revenue for steroids he sold under the Zencall Labs label. Matherne was arres ted on March 7, 2005 along with this girlfriend and father during the culmination of a two-year investigation by the Louisiana State Police into the illegal manufacture and distribution of anabolic steroids. Matherne subsequently pleaded guilty to six steroid-related charges and was sentenced to seven years in state prison. He has since been released and has attempted to “rebuild his life.”

Todd Matherne alleges that he was never advised about the stamp tax assessed on his steroid business when he pleaded guilty. He first learned about the $47 million dollar tax lien against when he tried to secure a mortgage to buy a new house. "At no time did anyone tell Todd Matherne that he owed forty-seven million dollars to the state of Louisiana when he entered into the plea agreement," according to a lawsuit filed by Matherne’s attorney Paul Lapeyrouse challenging the Louisiana “drug stamp law”.

The lawsuit calls the $47 million tax unconstitutional in violation of the Constitutional prohibition against “cruel and unusual punishment”. “Most people earn but a small fraction of that amount in a lifetime,” said Lapeyrouse. “The enormity of this burden will effectively deny to him any semblance of a normal life.”

How did the State of Louisiana arrive at a $47 million dollar tax bill for Todd Matherne?

The tax stamp law specifies a $200 tax per gram of anabolic steroids if sold by weight or $400 tax per 10 dosage units. This would effectively tax a bottle of testosterone cypionate at $400 and 100 tablets of Dianabol at $4000! Of course, the likely black market price for each of these products was likely no more than a couple hundred dollars at the most in 2005. And since Matherne failed to purchase the tax stamps at the time, the tax was doubled. Is an $8000 state tax on 100 tablets of Dianabol “cruel and unusual punishment”?

Admittedly, Todd and Edward Matherne were large scale distributors of anabolic steroids using the underground lab name of Zencall Labs. They were caught with enormous quantities of processed and raw anabolic steroids when the Louisiana State Police busted them on March 7, 2005. The oral steroids seized at their apartment(s) included 10,180 tablets and 300 capsules of stanozolol (aka Winstrol), 6,440 tablets of oxymetholone (aka Anadrol), 3,500 tablets and 1,900 capsules of Cialis, 1500 tamoxifen capsules (Nolvadex), 800 Anabol capsules, 2,400 Clomid capsules and 600 Dianabol capsules. They were also caught with 727 vials of injectable anabolic steroids and several pounds of raw steroid powder and other chemicals and precursors materials.

Todd Matherne’s lawsuit targets the Louisiana State Police, Louisiana Department of Revenue, Terrebonne Parish District Attorney Joe Waitz, Sheriff Vernon Bourgeois and Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell. “This is a total frivolous suit,” said Bill Dodd, the legal representation for the Sheriff’s Office. “I don’t see how the sheriff or DA has to do with this. It’s a shame this is going to take up the court’s time.”

Sources

“Lawsuit aimed at 'drug stamp' law,” April 11, 2009

“Drug dealer fights $47 million side effect,” April 10, 2009

“Large Drug Distribution Ring Broken in Terrebonne Parish,” March 10, 2005

By Millard Baker

http://www.millardbaker.com

www.SteroidsRx.com

Former Teammate Alleges A-Rod Used Steroids Playing for Miami Westminster Christian

New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez may have used anabolic steroids as a teenage baseball phenom while playing at Westminster Christian High School in Southwest Miami-Dade according to a soon-to-be-published new book about the Major League Baseball star. The story was published in advance of the publication of “Hit and Run: The Many Lives of Alex Rodriguez” by Selena Roberts which is scheduled to be released on May 19, 2009. Tracy Connor of the New York Daily News was able to obtain an advance copy of the A-Rod expose although no information was given on how she obtained it.

Sports Illustrated reporters Selena Roberts and David Epstein were responsible for breaking the blockbuster story of Alex Rodriguez’ positive tests in February 2009. They revealed that Rodriguez tested positive for testosterone and Primobolan (methenolone) in 2003 as part of the “anonymous” and non-displinary MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program steroid testing program.

Alex Rodriguez admitted taking anabolic steroids initially during an interview with ESPN’s Peter Gammons and subsequently in a press conference in Florida. Rodriguez was critical of Selena Roberts in spite of the fact that the main allegation of steroid use was true. A-Rod expressed suspicions about her plans to release a book expose of his life. “This lady is coming out with all these allegations, all these lies, because she’s writing an article for Sports Illustrated and she’s coming out with a book in May,” said Rodriguez, “And really respectable journalists are following this lady off the cliff. And following her lead. And that to me is unfortunate.”

David Hirshey, Roberts’ editor at HarperCollins, promised several new steroid revelations about Alex Rodriguez. “I assure you she has more drug revelations as well as other news. Not everything that Selena has on A-Rod’s steroid participation has come out yet.” A-Rod’s alleged teenage steroid use is one of those revelations. While it is plausible, and even likely, that Rodriguez used steroids in high school, there is very little proof to support the allegations. A-Rod may have used steroids in high school. But he may not have used them.

Selena Roberts relies on two former students at Miami Westminster Christian High School as proof. One former, obviously less successful, teammate asserts A-Rod was using steroids and that his high school coach knew it. Former Miami Westminster baseball coach denied it; he reported being surprised when the steroid allegations were first revealed. "I was pretty surprised," said Hofman. "I never had any indications of it. With his work ethic and the way he went about his business, baseball was first and everything else was second. I never really felt like he needed it."

Another former Miami Westminster high school student told Selena Roberts that the he was told by the coach’s son that Rodriguez use steroids. The “word” was that A-Rod obtained steroids from the owner of a dog kennel. Although perhaps more credible than Jose Canseco’s propensity to “guess” who is using steroids, these type of tertiary sources are not very credible.

Jose Canseco did everything he could to implicate A-Rod in his book entitled Vindicated published prior to Rodriguez’s admission of steroid use. “Hell, if you ask me, I did everything but inject the guy myself," wrote Canseco. Few people found the allegations credible until Selena Roberts’ provided undeniable proof of doping in February.

Canseco also believes A-Rod used steroids in high school based on workouts he shared with Rodriguez when he was 18 years old. "Was he on steroids in high school?" said Canseco. "I think probably so. I worked out with him when he was 18. He could lift almost as much as I could."

Now that Alex Rodriguez has admitted using anabolic steroids, any new revelations about A-Rod’s “steroid participation” are going to be uncritically accepted by the general public. Of course, it is plausible and likely that Rodriguez steroid history extends well beyond what A-Rod has publicly admitted. The general consensus is that Rodriguez is not being entirely honest about his use of steroids. Did Alex Rodriguez really use anabolic steroids as a high school athlete? We may never know for certain. The failure of athletes like A-Rod to be completely forthright about their performance enhancing drug use only contributes to further suspicions.

Sources

“A-Rod took steroids while with Yankees, and as teen, claims new book,” April 30, 2009

“Who's 'This Lady'? Meet Selena Roberts, A-Rod's Worst Nightmare,” February 10, 2009

“A-Rod admits, regrets use of PEDs,” February 10, 2009

“A-Rod's high school coach 'surprised' by steroid use,” February 9, 2009

“Sources tell SI Alex Rodriguez tested positive for steroids in 2003,” February 7, 2009

By Millard Baker

http://www.millardbaker.com

www.SteroidsRx.com

Whistleblower Says Prosecutor and Police Detective Lied About Evidence

A whistleblower in the Hays County District Attorney’s Office accused her fellow prosecutor and a police detective of lying about information used to incarcerate a man for steroid possession. Shawn Nathan Shipman was arrested on October 29, 2007 and charged with two counts of possession of the anabolic steroid trenbolone acetate. Steroid possession is a felony under Texas state law and subject to 6 months to 2 years incarceration. Shipman was in Hays County Jail for 498 days prior to pleading guilty and being sentenced in March 2009.

Assistant District Attorney Lynn Peach joined the Hays County DA’s Office in February 2009 and began to suspect that there may have been fraud involved in the prosecution of Shawn Shipman. She suspected San Marcos Police Detective Laray Taylor of misrepresenting or even falsifying crucial information used in an affidavit for a search warrant in the Shipman case. Peach believed that Assistant DA Chris Johnson lied about the source of the information used in the affidavit when interrogated by the Shipman’s attorney, David Watts. “I thought, ‘Holy smokes, he’s lying,” said Peach.

Specifically, Lynn Peach alleges that the affidavit information did not originate with a “concerned citizen” (as alleged by Detective Taylor and Assist. DA Johnson). A “concerned citizen” usually has a high degree of reliability because of long-standing connections to the community and the absence and any quid pro quo. Instead, it appears that the information came from a “confidential informant.” “[A] confidential informant is someone who is involved in the drug trade who is getting something for what they’re giving” according to Peach.

To make matters worse, the confidential informant used by the San Marcos Police and Hays County District Attorney’s Office was the ex-girlfriend of Shawn Shipman. Shipman’s former girlfriend was arrested on drug paraphernalia charges approximately one month prior to Shipman’s arrest. The previous girlfriend presumably told police that Shipman used anabolic steroids in exchange for leniency.

After learning of the potential prosecutorial misconduct, Lynn Peach felt obligated to blow the whistle on her employer and notify Shipman’s lawyer of her suspicion before alerting District Attorney Sherri Tibbe.

David Watts, the attorney for Shawn Shipman, is seeking a new trial on May 7, 2009 in light of the new evidence. “Some of the evidence presented previously to the Honorable Court was to say the least suspect, if not in fact, a fraud,” according to Watts in court documents.

The Hays County District Attorney has defended the actions of her office against the allegations of misconduct. "We have investigated the allegations made by Ms. Peach and feel strongly that the law and the facts show no misconduct in the prosecution of this case," according to Tibbe in a press release. "The guiding principal of this office is to ensure that justice is administered in a fair and ethical manner."

San Marcos Police Chief Howard Williams decried the “rumors” about his officers. “I haven’t heard any accusations, haven’t heard any evidence. I’m not even exactly sure what they’re talking about,” said Williams. “I would think if someone is going to accuse one of my officers of wrongdoing I would hope they would at least have the respect to bring it to me so I could deal with it.”

State District Judge Jack Robison recused himself from the case after hearing the incriminating testimony by Lynn Peach. “It’s clear to me the type of information we’ve heard today may result in possible legal charges against an officer of this court. I’m not going to sit as a judge in that kind of case,” said Robison.

Since Judge Robison has recused himself, a visiting judge will be appointed to rule on the request for a new trial. The scandal within the Hays County District Attorney’s Office highlights several issues of concern for steroid users. The fact that someone could be put in jail for 498 for simple steroid possession is alarming. But the lengths to which prosecutors would go to put steroid users in jail, including possible misrepresentations and fraud, is even more disturbing.

Sources

“Assistant district attorney says prosecutor, detective lied in steroids case,” April 28, 2009

“Update: Judge recuses himself in new trial motion,” April 28, 2009

“New trial in steroid case a possibility,” April 22, 2009

By Millard Baker

http://www.millardbaker.com

www.SteroidsRx.com