Court-ready hair steroid testing

Urine testing looks for testosterone metabolites. Hair detects testosterone itself and — crucially — the intact esters used in replacement therapy and in doping: cypionate, enanthate, propionate, decanoate.

An ester in hair is direct evidence of an administered product, because the body does not produce one.

Many of these compounds occur naturally. Testosterone, DHEA and epitestosterone are produced endogenously, so the question is rarely presence or absence but whether the concentration fits normal physiology. Reported ranges vary with age, sex, BMI, hair colour, treatment history, stress and metabolism — testosterone in males commonly sits between 5 and 15 pg/mg, but that is a guide, not a cut-off.

Detection can persist long after use stops. Long-acting esters, dose and purity, individual metabolism and hair growth rate all affect how long a compound remains detectable, which is why people who ceased months earlier sometimes still test positive. There is no direct correlation between dose and hair concentration.

For the same reasons, a single dose may or may not be detectable, and no honest provider will tell you in advance which. Where the result carries consequences, have it interpreted.

Sporting organisations, educational institutions, professional athletics, and safety-critical industries such as mining and defence — as well as family law and criminal proceedings.

Child welfare decisions, custody disputes, sporting bodies, employment and criminal proceedings. Confidentiality is absolute, whichever party arranged the test.