Doping damages not only sports – first and foremost, it damages a person’s health. Kidney damage is particularly a long-term consequence of these performance-enhancing substances. Thanks to laboratory diagnostics, these symptoms can be recognized before possible illnesses are irreversible.

Performance-enhancing drugs are nowadays generally associated with one sport in particular: cycling. However, this problem can be found in other types of sports, especially those with are classified by weight class such as martial arts or judo. Here, diuretics are used to bring about enormous weight reduction. By taking the substance, substantial water loss occurs in the body, leading to weight loss.

If diuretics are taken regularly, the athlete faces extensive consequences. In most cases it leads to irreparable kidney damage caused by the disrupted water and salt supply. As a result, the kidneys lose their filtering capabilities. However, because kidney disease does not cause pain at first, laboratory diagnostics can be the only opportunity to quality of the kidneys’ filter function. With the Clinitek® Microalbumin Reagent Strips, technicians can determine if a abnormal elevation of the urinary albumin excretion is present – a clear sign for kidney damage. Results are delivered in just about 60 seconds, saving long waiting times. The visual readings consist of the recording the color change on the test areas, the instrumental evaluation is then conducted shortly after with the Clinitek Status® Analyzer.

For the risk group – people with diabetes and high blood pressure – a so-called microalbuminuria (micro = small, albumin = a protein, uria = excretion in urine) test is recommended yearly. If the patient can be diagnosed in time, serious damages can be avoided with the appropriate treatment.

The kidney-damaging doping substances in the ’diuretic’ class are misused by athletes because they can be used as a blood thinner for forbidden substances. For this reason, they are considered to be ’masked’ substances in the doping world.