T: E ratio testing becomes worthless

Sportspersons become more and more sophisticated in usage of steroids. They study new methods to mask their application of forbidden medications. Some sportspersons spend time studying scientists’ conclusions which could help them to hide that they dope. Today a method has been found: athletes can mask intake of testosterone by drinking of green tea.
Testosterone is a hormone that is produced in body naturally. Thus, it can be difficult for anti-doping agencies to define that an athlete has used testosterone. T: E ratio testing is commonly utilized by anti-doping organizations. Such tests can manifest uncommon ratio of testosterone to epitestosterone in urine. But it doesn’t have capacity to display difference between testosterone which has been produced in body naturally and that introduced into body with the help of injections, gels, etc.
 Declan Naughton and his colleagues at Kingston University ( London) have found that green tea contains such compounds which are called “catechins”. They are able to inhibit the enzyme UGT2B17. This enzyme induces joining glucuronic acid to testosterone. If UGT2B17 is inhibited, less testosterone glucoronide is excreted in urine.  
Catechins, the substances that may mask application of testosterone, are in green and white tea. Black tea doesn’t contain such compounds.
Naughton and his colleagues have conducted certain experiments. They conclude that a cup of strong green tea hides usage of testosterone.
So, those sportspeople who apply testosterone may lower measures of testosterone that are excreted in urine by drinking of green or white tea. Green or white tea may block excretion of testosterone, increasing circulating levels of this hormone.
The World Anti-Doping Agency was informed about the findings by the specialists. If this process occurs, it is worthless to test urine. Blood tests should be performed for detection of testosterone use.
Olivier Rabin, the WADA’s expert, affirms that regular checks of blood steroids will be added. Everything will be done by anti-doping officials in order to avoid fooling of urine tests.