Thyroid hormone use in athletes: Physiological insights and doping controversies

Among the human body's most vital organs is the thyroid gland. The hormones produced by the thyroid have anabolic properties, at least when present at physiological concentrations. This paper aims to provide an overview of the current understanding of thyroid hormone use in sports doping. The physiology of skeletal muscles is significantly influenced by thyroid hormones. Exposure to T3 and T4 may enhance muscle blood flow, myogenesis, and renewal. Over an extended period, such hormones could contribute to weight loss. These methods suggest that thyroid hormones might be a likely agent in sports doping. Nonetheless, T3 and T4 aren't listed as sports doping drugs in the World Anti-Doping Code (WADA) standards; the argument over the drug's inclusion is still ongoing, and doctors must be mindful of the impact of the thyroid hormones on the metabolism of people from the standpoint of sports management. The underlying causes of the desired and negative consequences of TH exploitation, the prevalence of TH use among young adults, the legitimate medical applications of TH, the reasons why certain athletes look to utilize TH, the difficulties with identifying TH abuse, and other factors all contribute to the conclusion that, based on the available information, banning TH in highly competitive sports is not possible nor appropriate.