Performance-enhancing drugs: Know the risks #5

Erythropoietin

What is it?

Erythropoietin is a type of hormone used to treat anemia in people with severe kidney disease. It increases production of red blood cells and haemoglobin, resulting in improved movement of oxygen to the muscles. Epoetin, a synthetic form of erythropoietin, is commonly used by endurance athletes.

Risks

Erythropoietin use among competitive cyclists was common in the 1990s and allegedly contributed to at least 18 deaths. Inappropriate use of erythropoietin may increase the risk of thrombotic events, such as stroke, heart attack and pulmonary oedema.

What it does

Erythropoietin increases the production of red blood cells and haemoglobin, the oxygen carriers in our blood stream.  Whilst this increased capacity to carry oxygen will benefit the endurance athlete by allowing him to work harder for longer, it also has the effect of thickening the blood.

Many mysterious deaths of otherwise healthy athletes have been attributed to this thickening effect which forces the heart to work much harder to push the thick, sticky mass through the body.  This slows the flow of blood through the body and has resulted in embolisms (blood clots) forming and causing strokes or heart failure.

If you want to improve your blood’s oxygen carrying capacity legally and safely, spend a couple of months training at high altitude.  This will cause the body to increase red blood cell and haemoglobin production naturally and safely.

Have you ever wondered how some boxers manage to lose enough weight, seemingly overnight, to fight in a lower weight division?  The answer is often diuretics and the results can be devastating.  Check out tomorrow’s article for more.