Blood doping expert: “Armstrong’s blood values could indicate blood doping"
Armstrong’s blood values from the Tour de France deviate from the normal pattern of blood values. This type of pattern can stem from blood doping, says one of Denmark’s leading blood researchers
Jakob Mørkeberg, blood researcher at Bispebjerg Hospital in Denmark has been looking thoroughly at Lance Armstrong’s blood values during this year’s Tour de France where he came in third.
According to the Danish researcher, Armstrong’s blood values show a highly unusual pattern during the Tour. “What we know from previous test results from the Tour de France, hard exercise will cause a decrease in these blood values, this is not what we see when looking at Armstrong’s tests values,” Mørkeberg explains.Armstrong’s blood values were practically the same the first and the last day of the tour, says Mørkeberg to the Danish Broadcasting Cooperation, whereas his results from Giro d’Italia show a decrease in the blood values as is the normal pattern during this high level of exercise.Within three days in the middle of the tour, Armstrong’s hematocrit value even increased by 2,4, which is another indication of blood doping.The blood levels that are used for doping testing are the number of red blood cells, the hematocrit level and the heamoglobin values.Mørkeberg emphasizes that blood doping is not the only thing that can cause these kinds of value deviations – diarrhea or dehydration could have the same effect.When asked why Armstrong would risk doping himself during his much anticipated return to the Tour, Mørkeberg’s answers:“Today no test method exists that can prove blood transfusions when the athlete’s own blood is used. This makes this type of doping very attractive. “
The testing results:
News clip from DR (Danish Broadcasting Cooperation):
http://www.dr.dk/NETTV/Update/2009/09/02/221200.htm