A spent syringe having an undetectable anabolic steroid that was provided to the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), and the contents delivered to the research team in Los Angeles has been identified. This newly discovered drug is tetrahydrogestrinone (THG).

The details of this research were published in an issue of Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry.

From News-Medical.Net:

Urine samples were purposely spiked with the newly identified THG and various analyses carried out to determine how the substance could be detected. Although it is not detectable by standard doping control screening, THG was found to be easily detectable by alternate methods. Once detection methods were established, the substance was administered to a baboon both intravenously and intramuscularly, and its excreted urine collected for analysis. It was determined that THG is detectable in urine after both IV and IM administration.

The designer drug identified in this study is different from anabolic steroids previously found in athletes’ urine samples. The Food and Drug Administration has warned that its use could pose health risks, and it cannot be legally marketed without approval.

Lead researcher Catlin said that no one will try to use this drug now that it has been identified and tests would be there in place. It is important to note that THG is detectable in urine after both IV and IM administration.