Is T considered a steroid?

[TrojanMan]

So today my friend that's in athletics was talking about people being pulled for steroid tests. This made me worried because I want to play baseball and sports next year. So does HRT testosterone show up on drug tests as a steroid?

[Jill F]

Testosterone is considered a steroid (as is estrogen).   We all are expected to have certain amounts in our system.   If your levels are off the charts, then it will raise a red flag.

[Kreuzfidel]

I guess my question would be are you out where you intend to play sport? 

Because the steroid tests usually test for various compounds in addition to testosterone - so even if it doesn't flag you, it may be worth considering having a backup plan like a letter from your doctor stating something vague that you have a hypogonadal condition which requires you to take testosterone supplements.

[KamTheMan]

As a male playing on a male team, you will not get flagged for having Testosterone levels within the normal male range. You would only be disqualified from women's athletics, but thats not what you're trying to do.

[Magnus]

If they are testing specifically for anabolic steroids (not a general drug screen as like for employment purposes), you will come up positive because all exogenous Testosterone are anabolic steroids.  It's not a Total Testosterone (which cannot discern between endogenous and exogenous), it's a test specifically geared towards finding exogenous Testosterone.

Unfortunately, there's basically a zero tolerance for anabolic steroids in any official competitive sport (e.g. college-professional), and no matter what the reason is for your taking them. At least that is true in the U.S. where all exogenous anabolic steroids are 'banned' in official sports.

If we're talking unofficial league sport (e.g. company team), however, you will not be 'blacklisted' for anabolic steroid use (won't even have AAS testing).

[TrojanMan]

Unfortunately, there's basically a zero tolerance for anabolic steroids in any official competitive sport (e.g. college-professional), and no matter what the reason is for your taking them. At least that is true in the U.S. where all exogenous anabolic steroids are 'banned' in official sports.

Hmm that's very disappointing. Wouldn't that mean that transitioning transgendered people can't play sports at all?

[HeyTrace19]

Yes, testosterone is a steroid, but in normal levels it would probably go unnoticed in a random test.  It would depend entirely on the level of competition you are involved with.  Are you planning to play in a municipal baseball league?  NCAA Division I ? Olympics?  Park and Rec Board?  Major Leagues?  I would not let any concern about it stop you from playing...if by chance you ever get tested and are flagged, you have medical documentation.  And if that does not suffice, move to a level of competition where it is not an issue.  Sports are meant to be enjoyed, and there is room for everyone somewhere.

[TrojanMan]

It would depend entirely on the level of competition you are involved with.  Are you planning to play in a municipal baseball league?

I would be playing for my highschool, and thank you for your encouraging words.

[Gothic Dandy]

Hmm that's very disappointing. Wouldn't that mean that transitioning transgendered people can't play sports at all?

I don't play sports, but that is what that sounds like, and I also think it sounds like BS that needs to be challenged in some way. I second the recommendation that you get a letter from your doctor or therapist, just in case that helps. I guess if you're forced to take the test, you would have to out yourself.

I don't mean to say that you should get up in administration's face for your personal situation, but that sounds like something that should be brought to the public's attention.

[Magnus]

Hmm that's very disappointing. Wouldn't that mean that transitioning transgendered people can't play sports at all?

Just not in official or organized competitive sports (College, semi-professional and professional leagues, and right on up to and even especially the Olympics). To those who make the league rules, any AAS is considered "cheating" or "an unfair advantage" (among a fair few other medical treatments), unfortunately. That is despite if you have a legitimate need, and even if you're only on enough to put you just within the average male-range level (like us, or any other guy on legal TRT). They do not care, you will be blacklisted for any official or organized, competitive sport.

As far as high school sports, I'm unsure of what the policy is. They may or may not be more lenient than college and professional level athletics. I can't imagine that they would also prescribe to the same zero tolerance as professional leagues of any sort, being that they are in fact not professional league at all, but it's entirely possible all the same (sure sounds like it if they're bothering to spend big money on dispensing AAS tests). I mean, if the other team discovered your status they could cause problems by complaining about your "unfair advantage" and contest a win or something. The school, or rather state district, might then decide to avoid that kind of issue straight off and just not permit the use of AAS by anybody for any reason on the official competitive teams rosters. I don't know, you'd really have to ask your school district about their policy and any exceptions there are, if any.

Yes, it does suck. And I don't really know what we could ever do about it. I can see their side to the reasoning, but I also and of course do see our side as well (you know, that we're not abusing it and we're not allowed to take so much that we're totally out of the male range into inhuman levels - like the abusers). But as far as professional, I don't see their policy on this ever changing. But its not just us that aren't allowed, anybody on TRT is also not allowed to compete officially or professionally.

[aleon515]

Looks like a Title 9 related law suit waiting to happen? Title 9 has been used to gain parity for sports for women, but it doesn't allow gender based discrimination. Discrimination for trans men taking T, sounds like trouble waiting to happen for them.

Aren't there some trans guys in track and field on the college level? I think there is precedent for fighting this if it comes up. The thing is you will have to "out" to fight it.


--Jay

[Carrie Liz]

Quote from the NCAA's policy on trans* athletes:

"A transgender male student athlete who has a medical exception for testosterone hormone therapy may compete on a men's team, but is no longer eligible to compete on a women's team without changing the team status to a mixed team."


So yeah, as long as you're competing on a men's team, and have a medical exception for your testosterone treatment, you should be fine.

[Bimmer Guy]

Quote from the NCAA's policy on trans* athletes:

"A transgender male student athlete who has a medical exception for testosterone hormone therapy may compete on a men's team, but is no longer eligible to compete on a women's team without changing the team status to a mixed team."


So yeah, as long as you're competing on a men's team, and have a medical exception for your testosterone treatment, you should be fine.

That is my understanding.  If you are on testosterone you can play on the men's team.  If you are not on testosterone, you play on the female team (unless there is no female team and then they have to let any female bodied person play on the boy's team).  Identity doesn't matter.  The issue is whether or not you have the athletic advantage that testosterone gives you.

[TrojanMan]

"A transgender male student athlete who has a medical exception for testosterone hormone therapy may compete on a men's team, but is no longer eligible to compete on a women's team without changing the team status to a mixed team."

Wow, thanks Carrie! This makes me so happy!

[TrojanMan]

Looks like a Title 9 related law suit waiting to happen? Title 9 has been used to gain parity for sports for women, but it doesn't allow gender based discrimination. Discrimination for trans men taking T, sounds like trouble waiting to happen for them.

Aren't there some trans guys in track and field on the college level? I think there is precedent for fighting this if it comes up. The thing is you will have to "out" to fight it.

That will be handy, schools try to avoid any of the legal stuff. Fortunately, my principle is AMAZING and very supportive so I know she will be on my side. Right now I'm pre-T so I feel its very important for my mental health to remain stealth. I don't know if I'll want to be out at all in highschool. But thanks for the info Jay!

[Dante]

Trans guys can definitely still compete in team sports! It's still somewhat of a battlefield but as Carrie Liz helpfully sourced, you are legally allowed to play on the men's team. Just make sure you have a note from your doctor or something to explain the situation.

I thought you might be interested in this article as well; it's about the first openly trans NCAA Division 1 athlete. And he's certainly not the only professional trans athlete. Don't give up hope!
http://time.com/3537849/meet-the-first-openly-transgender-ncaa-athlete/