ABC Response to NSAC elimination of Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)

By Tim Lueckenhoff/President, Association of Boxing Commissions

In July 2011, the ABCs medical committee, formed under my tenure, published a Handbook of Ringside Medicine. This handbook established guidelines for dealing with TRT and TUEs. At this 2011 annual convention, this publication was distributed to the attending members. In addition, a very detailed presentation was provided by the ABC Medical Chair Dr. Sherry Wulkan on the issue of TRT TUEs in both 2011 and 2012.

Since 2011, the ABC medical committee has suggested that its members follow its TUE protocols recommended by the ABC medical committee and modeled upon international Olympic standards. At this point, the ABC will continue to recommend its members follow these extremely tough therapeutic use exemption standards.

These standards, in place since 2011, would allow TUEs for TRT in only the rarest of cases to a very select group of contestants who have a specified legitimate medical need. I note that the Olympics has seen fit to grant a TRT TUE for more than one individual, including for an individual who lost his testicles in an accident. Our current policy would allow a TUE in that instance.

However, I will ask the medical committee to consider and review Nevadas new position on the matter which is a strong deviation from their past practice. I will also ask our legal committee to counsel us about the legal ramifications, if any, from an outright ban without exception for any reason.

At the ABC, we are always interested in the subject of PED usage and proper testing and are pleased that Nevadas action is igniting a healthy debate on the subject matter.

In short, the ABC guidelines state that

ABC TRT TUE Policy July 2011

A letter from a Board Certified Endocrinologist stating that you stopped all hormone replacement therapy for a minimum of 8 weeks prior to repeat testing.

The letter should include copies of medical records that address the following issues:

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ABC Response to NSAC elimination of Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)