Testosterone doping refers to the use of synthetic versions of testosterone, known as anabolic steroids, to enhance athletic performance. Testosterone is the main sex hormone in men, and it is needed to develop and maintain male sex characteristics, such as facial hair, deep voice, and muscle growth. Anabolic steroids are synthetic versions of testosterone that are often used by athletes to build muscles and improve athletic performance. They can be taken orally, injected into muscles, or applied to the skin as a gel or cream. These doses may be 10 to 100 times higher than doses used to treat medical conditions, and using them without a prescription from a healthcare provider is not legal or safe.

Doping with testosterone and anabolic steroids can have serious health consequences, including liver damage, high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes. It is also associated with an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as prostate cancer. In addition, the use of anabolic steroids can lead to psychological effects, such as mood swings, aggression, and depression.

To detect testosterone doping, antidoping laboratories follow a protocol based on solid-phase extraction of steroids from the urine sample and modification of the steroid by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The use of testosterone as a doping drug is not legal in the United States.