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.
Member Comments
by David57 on April 7, 2009 at 6:20 PM
Hi Lance,
My name is David, sorry to hear about your recent crash, best wishes for a speedy recovery.
I'm reading the email I recieved from your foundation. It lead me to your website and now I'm reading the drug test results from your blood test from 4/7/2009. I know these test results are much more different than the ones I'm more concerned with. I'm talking about a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test. I'll be 52 in June of this year, I know you're younger but it wouldn't hurt to have this simple blood test, maybe you already have? I had my first one at age 50. It was 10, it should have been under 2 for someone my age. The Doctors suggested I under go further testing to confirm the results. They all came back positive showing that there was Cancer growing in my Prostate, the Doctors again suggested I have it treated radically because of my young age with either radiation seed implants or surgery to have it removed. I chose surgery, it's been almost a year and a half now and my PSA blood tests are zero which I have done every 6 months. They caught it early and hopefully they got it all before it spread beyond the Prostate. Any rise in mt PSA results will most likely mean it's return. It's always in the back of your mind every 6 months when the test date returns. On the other hand I'm always thinking positive that it won't return. In case you Lance, or some of you other guys reading this haven't had the PSA blood test, it is very fast and easy yet a very important tool to early detection of this deadly disease. So, I've got to ask you, what's your PSA test result?
David
swededfa@msn.com
by FJamesC on April 8, 2009 at 8:32 PM
Why did the 2/4 hematocrit result change from 45.8 to 43.1?
by comralph on April 9, 2009 at 2:55 PM
A change in the Hct of 2.7% can be considered as a negligible change in lab values. As defined above, it's a ratio (expressed in %) between the body's total blood volume and the red cells and it can be affected by something as common as mild dehydration (less blood volume would result in a relative % increase of the RBC's). Other physiological factors could also play a part in that.
by comralph on April 9, 2009 at 2:55 PM
A change in the Hct of 2.7% can be considered as a negligible change in lab values. As defined above, it's a ratio (expressed in %) between the body's total blood volume and the red cells and it can be affected by something as common as mild dehydration (less blood volume would result in a relative % increase of the RBC's). Other physiological factors could also play a part in that.
by KingMalick on April 9, 2009 at 3:34 PM
hello Lance!! Good recovery and comme back to ride again and dont be disturbed by those bad news about you! Your blood urines and hair are ok!! why want some people about you? You'll be the well come to ride on October for "Gentlemen humanitaire de la ville de Paris pour enfants malades" organised by my team "Paris Cycliste Olympique"I'm an athlet in the team!
by KingMalick on April 9, 2009 at 3:35 PM
hello Lance!! Good recovery and comme back to ride again and dont be disturbed by those bad news about you! Your blood urines and hair are ok!! why want some people about you? You'll be the well come to ride on October for "Gentlemen humanitaire de la ville de Paris pour enfants malades" organised by my team "Paris Cycliste Olympique"I'm an athlet in the team!Good luck!
Malick
moued@wanadoo.fr
by FJamesC on April 9, 2009 at 3:38 PM
Conralph, I understand hematocrit. What I'm asking is why did this blog report on Feb. 12th that the result of Armstrong's Feb. 4th hematocrit test was 45.8, yet now it has been changed to 43.1?
by comralph on April 9, 2009 at 5:00 PM
Oh, I'm sorry FJamesC! My sincerest apology. I misunderstood the question. I thought you were asking about a change in Hct values from one test date to another as opposed to the true question regarding the change of a historical lab value. I'll use my glasses when reading next time. Sorry about that. Have a good day!
by lsnadon on April 9, 2009 at 6:03 PM
I would like to see results from the 1999 - 2006 era.
by lechia on May 26, 2009 at 10:56 AM
...and compare those to the pre-cancer years.
by raidcmdr on April 9, 2009 at 8:05 PM
?????????? I have a Hct of 54.9 I fluctuae between 52 to 56 Its Like ....running on super charged oil.
by raidcmdr on April 9, 2009 at 8:06 PM
?????????? I have a Hct of 54.9 I fluctuate between 52 to 56 Its Like....like...running on super charged oil.
by chcoop on April 9, 2009 at 9:35 PM
I would like to see the results from 1999-2006 too, Isnadon, so you people would shut the h#ll up.
by AlainD on April 10, 2009 at 2:39 AM
Hi Lance!
I won't hide that you made me dream when you won your 7 Tour de France. I read your both books and appreaciate them.
Since you announced your come back in the peloton, I thought "He will be 38 next year, such as me. So, why won't I do my own come back on races as well?".
And that's what I've done so far, at a lower level than you, off course, with a real pleasure (even though it's hard to even follow the others!).
So, thank you for giving me this idea.
But if I'm adding a comment, it's not about me but concerning the two doping test results you've issued on this blog: following last FJamesC comments, I compared those tables and I've found 3 differences between the first and the second table on two dates:
- test made 12/18/2008: the OFF z-score is -0.04 (so minus) in the table issued on February 12 and 0.04 (so plus) in the table issued on April 7;
- test made 02/04/2009: as FJamesC mentionned it, the hematocrit rate is 45.8% in the table issued on February 12 and 43.1% in the table issued on April 7;
- same test made 02/04/2009: the OFF-score is 89.1 in the table issued on February 12 and 95.1 in the table issued on April 7.
There is no problem with the values themselves, since they are all normal and prove that you're clean, but could you tell me if these differences are typing errors?
Anyway, good luck for your recovery. I hope you'll be fine soon for mading me dream while in the peloton.
Alain
by Lancehero2005 on April 10, 2009 at 6:05 AM
You are my sportsman hero ever.
I respect you because you are truely built your self by fatigue and high performance.
Cheers,
sam (Pure Sportsman)
sam_usa54@hotmail.com
lance_hero2005@hotmail.com
by Andras on April 10, 2009 at 2:07 PM
Lance you are my Idol for long time ago! I will see you in Paris! Go-go-go!!!
Raidcmdr: When you are very thirsty (dehydratated), your Hct maybe higher.
by thebikesmithUK on April 11, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Hi, if you want to know how to fight the French and win ask us Brits. We have quite a good track record. LOL. In the mean time check out a cancer charity local to me that helps sufferers live a dream. www.challengecancer.org.uk they provide a great opportunity for people recovering from and suffering from cancer. Several of the original founders were great friends of mine so I try to help out. They work from a very small budget and fund raising event. Take a look.
by johnr6980 on April 20, 2009 at 5:22 PM
Hi Lance,
I truly admire you, and you have my 100% support. I have one of my front bike wheel painted in yellow and it says livestrong. And two in the back wheel with both cancer survivors, my mom and mother in law. Go lance GO!!!
by JET1961 on April 22, 2009 at 9:46 AM
Hey Lance:
Looking good! Although I have a world of faith in you and your lifestyle and know that they can test you until the proverbial "cows come home" and dope is not something they are going to find in any form, unless there is a PSA score that you are not sharing.
We love ya and are so very proud to be an active part of your fine organization.
Keep on keepin on and of course ... LIVESTRONG.
Jade Topp ~ Leader of the LIVESTRONG Army Erie Count PA Chapter (Also team captain for the Erie County Cancer Killers for the Philly Challenge)
by JET1961 on April 22, 2009 at 10:02 AM
Hey Lance:
Looking good! Although I have a world of faith in you and your lifestyle and know that they can test you until the proverbial "cows come home" and dope is not something they are going to find in any form, unless there is a PSA score that you are not sharing.
We love ya and are so very proud to be an active part of your fine organization.
Keep on keepin on and of course ... LIVESTRONG.
Jade Topp ~ Leader of the LIVESTRONG Army Erie Count PA Chapter (Also team captain for the Erie County Cancer Killers for the Philly Challenge)
by lechia on May 26, 2009 at 10:59 AM
What happened to keeping result data available? Last test result is from Feb? Show us the recent data.