Here is a glossary of terms, which will explain the various elements that anti-doping authorities measure and analyze. Hemoglobin (g/dL): Hemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen. It is primarily found in the red blood cells. The concentration of hemoglobin in the body in a non-trained background population is set at 14.2 g/dL. The normal range of such a population is large and includes values above 17 g/dl. In comparison, professional cyclists have an average hemoglobin concentration of 14.8 g/dL (range 12-17.3). A variation in hemoglobin concentration of 7% (range 6-21%) is observed in cyclists. An upper limit is set at 17%g/dl.
Hematocrit (%): Hematocrit is the ratio between the red blood cells and the total blood volume. In males, hematocrit ranges from 40-45% with values above 52% in healthy subjects.
Reticulocytes (%): Reticulocytes are immature red blood cells and the number in % depicts the ratio between the immature and mature red blood cells. The normal range is 0.2-2%. Values below or beyond are considered suspicious. Reticulocytes are highly sensitive for blood manipulations and increase if a blood loss or EPO use is present and decrease with blood transfusions and previous EPO use.
OFF-score: The OFF-score is an equation containing hemoglobin and reticulocytes. By combining the two variables it is possible to determine whether an athlete has used EPO or even performed (autologous) blood transfusions procedures prior to the test. The upper limit set by the UCI is 133.
OFF and Hb z-score: Longitudinal monitoring of athletes' blood profiles help detect blood doping and warrant the exclusion from competition of athletes with aberrant variations in some hematological values. OFF and Hb z-scores are equations that describe the variation in OFF score and hemoglobin in each athlete by including all the measurements conducted on the athlete. If the z-scores are higher than 3.09 or less than -3.09 it indicates blood manipulations.
Note About Drug Testing Results
All results from Lance's drug tests since he announced his comeback to professional cycling last fall are published here on livestrong.com. Please note that we are unable to post any results until they have been released by the respective agencies. As soon as Lance's testing data is released from UCI, USADA, WADA and all of the agencies that collect samples, we will post here, however it is up the discretion of the individual agencies to release that data.
Thanks for your patience, and thanks for the support!
Member Comments
by Rommelchen on May 27, 2009 at 3:15 PM
The results look very god :). I must say that publishing the results of your anti-doping tests is a very good idea :). So everyone can check himself what you have been tested for and what came out. I'm following your career since 1999 ;), even when you did the Marathon ;) and I must say WOW:). I saw you live several times .... :) and I managed to take everyone on a pic but Lance, you were always too fast ;).
Go on Lance ;) and the rest of the team. I'm curious what strategy you are going to chose on friday :P with the assumption of the Vesuv volcano :).
I'll be behind my tv ;) to watch it live ;) on Eurosport:).
by chaddie94 on May 27, 2009 at 5:18 PM
Thanks for being clean LA..... France will be gunning for ya
by dinomaker on May 27, 2009 at 6:35 PM
Excellent Lance, the living legend, nothing to say until proven otherwise. Your interview is also excellent on TV.
That these frustrated journalist tries to make money by supplying false rumors Elsewhere! :)
There are many jealous, a lot of stupid people. Especially on the Tour de France, because of these cheats without talent.
I know that there are still riders who cheat in this Giro without doubt, and even by doping, they never get there, they all fall at one time or another.
Launches and nothing has proved more a person is unnecessary, you already have your evidence. You even won the tour 7 times, and anti-doping n'on not find 2000 a 2005, is more than enough!
Ca fais plaisir de te voir aussi natural progression from day to day on the giro every week that passes, you rises a notch.
It's great after stopping 3 years!
The only, the unique, the living legend, Lance Armstrong.
by dinomaker on May 27, 2009 at 6:43 PM
Can I reedited my post? I make mistakes hortographe English. Sorry
ok, I wanted to say, no need for this paper anti-doping, however, Armstrong 's nothing more to prove to anyone.
-> 7 Victory - Clean 2000-2005 ! :)
The best, no comment. :)
by amothegreat on May 29, 2009 at 9:04 AM
You are a true role model. Keep up the great work
by Gee3 on May 29, 2009 at 9:09 AM
Will all the tests be posted? I thought there were over 20+ tests so far? I'm getting tired of all the Lance haters criticizing and crying foul because not all the tests are posted. They cry afoul that those tests must be skewed and LA has something to hide, hence they are not posted. And why don't more riders publicly post this info other than Basso and handful of others?
by Lazarus on May 29, 2009 at 2:38 PM
See you in The Grand Boucle, Lance!
by GoLance on May 29, 2009 at 11:09 PM
Love the transparency Lance! Can you post your crit levels from the Tours you won? Would help to put these #s in perspective.
Did you post all the #s, or selectively edit them?
I'd hate for folks to accuse you of cherry picking by reporting the results that make you look good, while hiding those that do not.
Lots of interesting comments here. Do you delete comments that do not show you in a positive light?
by scoutcat on June 7, 2009 at 7:44 PM
can someone explain why the HCT listed for 2/4 was decreased from the initially posted value? the initial value was 45.8, it was changed in a later posting to 43.1.
by simonp5836 on June 12, 2009 at 1:50 PM
Do not care about the test result ...I just believe in the man and the cause your fighting for!! Enjour your ride and livestrong!!!!!!!