Immuno Assay (IA) This is whereby antibodies are used as mirror images to track down illegal cells and if they find one they bond to the molecular cell. They can also detect the metabolites which are produced when the illegal substance enters the body. The test though is only as good as the antibodies that are employed as they could ending up bonding to some other body that is not an illegal substance, but still producing a negative test result.

Such false positive results are seldom heard of in drug testing although it is now known that Certain decongestants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been involved in producing such test results, so try and avoid them prior to any event which you know will be using immunoassay as a drug test.

Types of immunoassay: The two preferred IA techniques used today are Radio immunoassay (RIA) and fluorescence polarisation immunoassay (FPIA). RIA is administered in detecting certain 17-alpha-methyl, 17-alphaethyl, and 19-nortesterone anabolic steroids. The enzyme Multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT) is the best performer; so if you aren't certain which of the tests will be used, then concentrate on beating EMIT. If you fail the EMIT test, then you will probably be given the very sensitive GC/MS test, just as confirmation.

PharmChek: This is a plaster like patch which you will have to wear for just over a week and whose function is to absorb your sweat and then detect any possible illegal substances that may have been in your body. The patch itself is tamper-proof and the actual accuracy of the results found is actually unknown at this moment in time.

TestCup: This is another test where we have been left in the dark but consists of a specially designed cup which handles urine samples. It comes with a type of indicator which changes colour as it reacts to certain illegal substances that are present.

Cheating the Most common Test -the EMIT: This consists of knowing which test is going to be used for which drug in your next event. If you know the time that the drug will no longer be detectable for the relevant test after coming off it, you can just imply that time-scale on coming off the drug before the event. Quite simple really.

Several drugs detection times;- Drug Approx. Detection time in urine using EMI Amphetamines between 2 and 4 days, Clenbuterol between 2 and 4 days - detectable at 0.5ng/ml by GC/MS Nicotine. There is no reliable data but Quite a while as nicotine is a fat soluble. Peptide hormones (like insulin, g/hormone and IGF-1) and non detectable Anabolic steroids Oral steroids about 2 weeks and Injectable about 1 month.

Important Note 1: These drugs are their clearance times are only rough estimates, although reasonably accurate ones, but the real time can vary on each individual according to the time it takes their system to expel the drugs.

Important Note 2: Another test for steroids is by GC/MS, HPLC and RIA and not forgetting EMIT. If you want to pass a GC/MS or HPLC test allow yourself more time for your body to get the drug out of your system than you would in an EMIT test. Each drug can be tested for by GC/MS but you must remember that the drug clearance times are a lot different from person to person.

Important Notes 3/4 on Dreaded Deca. The very bad news with this anabolic steroid is that it is still detectable in your body for nearly 18 months after the last you used it. But when it comes to growth hormone or insulin, it's very good news as there is no known test for it in athletics, so you can use even up to the same day as your event without getting caught.

There are ways to speed up the removal of steroids that are present in your body and let's say it's nothing new. All you have to do is train harder with weights which will increase your metabolism rate and if it is fatty soluble drugs that need getting rid of, then you should concentrate on aerobic type exercises as this will help break down you fatty stores, releasing the stored drugs.

Another good method to increase your metabolism and drug clearance rate is by taking on additional calories and adding on extra daily meals. The right way for you will depend on what you want to achieve at your next event as well as the drugs that you plan on taking. If you feel that you need more information on this matter you can get great advice on the mickhartblog and you will soon feel more confident.