As a doctor, I’m really at a lost to understand this.
Erythropoietin is used in treating anemia also in the treatment of cancer. I’m not sure how this aids in cycling unless it has other attributes on increasing skeletal muscle, but it doesn’t it increases smooth muscle fibers.
If Armstrong is getting benfit from the hormone, then you would think his RBCs are sky high and thusly it would be obvious. If his RBC levels are normal or low, then how is he benefiting from the hormone?
I mean we’re not talking steroids.
Secondly, are we to believe that he pulled this off over a period of 7 years, and countless drug tests?
I can understand him getting away with it the first couple years, but they’re not able to catch him during 7 years?
One of Armstong’s weapons is to claim outrageous facts. Armstong has tested positive for dope a few times, but was always about to work the system and intimidated reporters about it.
His “chicken's are coming home to roust.”
I’m guessing that since it increases red blood cells, you therefore carry more oxygen in the blood. More oxygen to the muscles = better performance, more stamina. Perhaps, since one can perform better, one can push harder during training, so it helps to build muscle in an indirect way.