Get Your Damn Blood Tests!

Bigger Stronger Leaner Over 35 Lifter
1

To all who read this and haven’t;
What are you waiting for? Do you want to be another statistic of the health care system? What if in five years, Mr. happy doesn’t visit every morning like does now? What if the wife/girlfriend stops “waking” you up every morning too? Do you not care if your prostrate swells up the size of an orange and takes away from you your ability to be spontaneous? Do you want to get fat, and slothy, and grow “moobs” too? Have I gotten your attention yet?
Good.

Here’s my point if it isn’t already obvious: get your damn blood work done. Schedule the test as soon as you finish reading this. Yes, it’s that important.
There are so many men on this forum due to the fact they waited until something had been wrong for a long time, they then got their tests done. Sad but true. If you get your b/w done before you have symptoms of male menopause, guess what? You are one of the men that can tell their doctor," when my Testosterone were such and such, was when I still was a happy man. Now that they are (insert number)I feel like crap all the time. Your doctor now having a baseline for you should be (mostly) able to return your blood levels back to where you were happy, instead of half of where you should be to be happy due to the “statistics” of average blood levels for “a man your age”.
Please don’t wait if possible my man friends, take control of your health care before somebody else does it for you.

KNB

2

Read it, know it, believe it! Well said, KNB!

There are many times on this board when I read about guys getting fucked over by doctors that I feel like telling them to grow some fucking balls and start acting like a man. The problem is that when you’ve neglected your hormonal health to the point where your T is low and your E is high, you’re not a man, you’re a woman and acting like a man is a forgotten memory.

Every man has becoming a woman in his future. Start fighting it now.

3

(Cracks a can of Spike Shooter… Raises it in a toast)
Well said KNB!

The problem is, when you can drive nails with ‘The Magic Wand’, you can’t even fathom that a diminished or even total loss of libido is gonna affect “you”. The other problem is, we’re ‘Men’, and ‘Men’ don’t need to go see some doctor… we’re strong, we’re tough, we’re invincible, we’re… Oh, crap, we’re limp!

4

Absolutely agree. I’ll be hitting 35 in June and I waited too long. I just had my b/w pulled in late December and the doc and I talked about it today. I’ll be posting about it, somewhere (there’s no “Almost 35 but Feeling Older Lifter Forum” :wink: ).

5

I am 1 of those men that never knew any better and now i am going though the game. It no fun. take head men this is a wake up call.

6

Well said by both happy and KNB.

7

Interesting stuff, especially to a guy who just turned 35 about 2 months ago. In having this conversation with your doctor about having specific hormonal bloodwork done, how did you go about it? I can just see my own doctor (who is very good) looking for a lot of reasons behind it, specific symptoms, etc.

8

Hey Kuz,
Since nobody else has jumped in, I will. Here is what I would have tested:

1.Total Testosterone
2.Free Testosterone
3.Free Testosterone percentage
4.E2, or Q-Estradiol not “sensitive” Estrogen
5.SHBG
6.IGF-1
7.TSH (thyroid)
8.Free T4 "
9.Free T3 "
10.Free T4 Percentage
11.Free T4 Percentage
12.DHEA-Sulfate
13.PSA (you’re never too young to check)

These are just part of the hormones tests.
There’s always
LH,FSH, and two or three more I don’t remember right now.

KSman, please fill in the blanks I’ve missed.

Then there’s the standard: CBC w/difference and the comprehensive metabolic panel.
It depends on how good your insurance is, and how attentive your doctor is.(okay, it’s actually how assertive you are with your doctor)

Reasons: Every man as he gets older has certain metabolic issues related to his hormones. You would like to have baseline values taken now, so if in a few years your body betrays you, you will know specifically where to look first. (or something to that effect) For a doctors opinion, read everything by John Crisler, D.O. He is both well published and well respected too in the HRT/TRT field.
When I got my current doc to prescribe HCG for me, I used Crisler’s protocols printed out along with posts from this website. It’s true, see my previous posts. PM if you need anything more specific.

9

[quote]KNB wrote:
Hey Kuz,
Since nobody else has jumped in, I will. Here is what I would have tested:

1.Total Testosterone
2.Free Testosterone
3.Free Testosterone percentage
4.E2, or Q-Estradiol not “sensitive” Estrogen
5.SHBG
6.IGF-1
7.TSH (thyroid)
8.Free T4 "
9.Free T3 "
10.Free T4 Percentage
11.Free T4 Percentage
12.DHEA-Sulfate
13.PSA (you’re never too young to check)

These are just part of the hormones tests.
There’s always
LH,FSH, and two or three more I don’t remember right now.

KSman, please fill in the blanks I’ve missed.

Then there’s the standard: CBC w/difference and the comprehensive metabolic panel.
It depends on how good your insurance is, and how attentive your doctor is.(okay, it’s actually how assertive you are with your doctor)

Reasons: Every man as he gets older has certain metabolic issues related to his hormones. You would like to have baseline values taken now, so if in a few years your body betrays you, you will know specifically where to look first. (or something to that effect) For a doctors opinion, read everything by John Crisler, D.O. He is both well published and well respected too in the HRT/TRT field.
When I got my current doc to prescribe HCG for me, I used Crisler’s protocols printed out along with posts from this website. It’s true, see my previous posts. PM if you need anything more specific.[/quote]

Thanks, KNB. Very helpful stuff. I think this is something I will be looking into this year because the more I read about these issues, the more I wonder if the little things I have come to accept as part of aging are not something that can actually be dealt with proactively.

10

[quote]Kuz wrote:
KNB wrote:
Hey Kuz,
Since nobody else has jumped in, I will. Here is what I would have tested:

1.Total Testosterone
2.Free Testosterone
3.Free Testosterone percentage
4.E2, or Q-Estradiol not “sensitive” Estrogen
5.SHBG
6.IGF-1
7.TSH (thyroid)
8.Free T4 "
9.Free T3 "
10.Free T4 Percentage
11.Free T4 Percentage
12.DHEA-Sulfate
13.PSA (you’re never too young to check)

These are just part of the hormones tests.
There’s always
LH,FSH, and two or three more I don’t remember right now.

KSman, please fill in the blanks I’ve missed.

Then there’s the standard: CBC w/difference and the comprehensive metabolic panel.
It depends on how good your insurance is, and how attentive your doctor is.(okay, it’s actually how assertive you are with your doctor)

Reasons: Every man as he gets older has certain metabolic issues related to his hormones. You would like to have baseline values taken now, so if in a few years your body betrays you, you will know specifically where to look first. (or something to that effect) For a doctors opinion, read everything by John Crisler, D.O. He is both well published and well respected too in the HRT/TRT field.
When I got my current doc to prescribe HCG for me, I used Crisler’s protocols printed out along with posts from this website. It’s true, see my previous posts. PM if you need anything more specific.

Thanks, KNB. Very helpful stuff. I think this is something I will be looking into this year because the more I read about these issues, the more I wonder if the little things I have come to accept as part of aging are not something that can actually be dealt with proactively.[/quote]

I’m glad to be of help. If it wasn’t for this website, I would have never found out about the “welcome to hell” syndrome when starting HRT/TRT and how to avoid it. I am also blessed with GREAT doctors that are progressive and cutting edge (compared to most docs) that not only listened to, but appreciated my questions, and then (within reason and legality) gave what I wanted. My life is pretty good chemistry wise and my younger girlfriend, well, she couldn’t be happier every time she calls my name. Yes, I was referring to that.

11

[quote]Kuz wrote:
(snip)…the more I wonder if the little things I have come to accept as part of aging are not something that can actually be dealt with proactively.[/quote]

The shocking thing to me is how many doctors just don’t get this very concept. I’m deep into anti-aging and trust me, it works.

12

[quote]happydog48 wrote:
Kuz wrote:
(snip)…the more I wonder if the little things I have come to accept as part of aging are not something that can actually be dealt with proactively.

The shocking thing to me is how many doctors just don’t get this very concept. I’m deep into anti-aging and trust me, it works.
[/quote]

No doubt about it and I think that is why I am curious about how most guys at least begin to have this conversation with their doctors. I have a fairly good relationship with mine, but I honestly have no idea what his reaction would be to my wanting to pursue this. For all I know, he might be very up on the topic and interested… but who knows?

And as KNB put it so well, this is just something I would be looking to do within reason and legality. I worry that some (many?) doctors would see this as some attempt by guys to just become serious juicers which is not something I am after at all.

13

Less than 200mg/week = HRT. More than 200mg/week = steroid abuse. I know that’s a generality, but for the most part it’s true.
My friend that’s literally HUGE (weightlifter) is on HRT and his doc prescribes 75mg/week. Poor bastard, I think.

Not every man that gets an opportunity to break the 200/week limit even see the point in doing so, regarding “instant” strength LOL. A lot of guys I have spoken with are more mellow and attentive to the wife instead of “roid raged” morons. Don’t you hate what the press is calling healthy responsible citizens?
KNB

14

You’re more concerned about what your doctor thinks of you than you are about your own health and well being? What the fuck is that about?

If you can’t simply say to your doctor that you’re concerned about your testosterone and estradiol levels and you want them checked, then something is seriously wrong.

15

[quote]happydog48 wrote:
You’re more concerned about what your doctor thinks of you than you are about your own health and well being? What the fuck is that about?

If you can’t simply say to your doctor that you’re concerned about your testosterone and estradiol levels and you want them checked, then something is seriously wrong.[/quote]

Thanks “dog”, I was hoping somebody would say that…

16

For those like me that are total neophytes / wish to investigate further:

[quote]1.Total Testosterone
2.Free Testosterone
3.Free Testosterone percentage
4.E2, or Q-Estradiol not “sensitive” Estrogen[/quote]

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin

Insulin-like Growth Factor

Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone

Thyroxine

Triiodothyronine

[quote]10.Free T4 Percentage
11.Free T4 Percentage[/quote]
…one assumes one of those was meant to read T3…

Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate

Prostate-Specific Antigen

What about testing for Homocysteine, Progesterone, Pregnenolone, and Cardiac-reactive protein (CRP)??

What about frequency?
Do all tests need to be re-run at the same times?
Are there some tests that are more appropriate at specific times of the day, or is it more critical to try and have your tests fall at a consistent time of day (e.g. every 6 months as early in the AM as possible)?

In my observations of posted test results on several boards I am kinda surprised to see the number of folks that don’t have consistent tests run, or who will compare T levels from an 8:00am test to a 4:30pm test a month later and call the results “conclusive”…

Also - anyone have info on potential cost? Internet labs look to be about $400-$500/pop. I do plan to speak to my physician, but given my general good state of health I don’t know if he’ll be willing/able to bill against my insurance, so I’m trying to steel myself for the cost.

Don

17

Common sense is not common to all… (and in no way do I point that in any-one-body’s direction)

I am on my second test and awaiting it’s results. I use my doc to check all the essentials that go along with a proper physical. I have to farm out my endocrine labs and I will test myself bi-monthly, regardless of the price, because I do not have my numbers/meds worked out yet. I will drop that down to once/quarter then twice/year after I have the initial doses worked out. 300 bucks a pop is worth the price, if your doc is a heathen.

My understanding is once TRT has begun, provided you are dosing often, time of day wouldn’t matter - only time between doses would be needed for blood testing. Right now, I am using same time of day, once/month until I get dialed in. Afterward, I’ll be using same time in between doses.

I don’t think we are looking for “conclusive” results if by conclusive you mean, precise. What I am looking for is accurate, meaning more often than not, my labs will be in a certain range. Above all, however, MY SYMPTOMS will be minimal! I will feel great, and the labs will, by percentage, support this.

I hope that’s clear.

[quote]johnny-longtorso wrote:
For those like me that are total neophytes / wish to investigate further:
1.Total Testosterone
2.Free Testosterone
3.Free Testosterone percentage
4.E2, or Q-Estradiol not “sensitive” Estrogen
5.SHBG
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
6.IGF-1
Insulin-like Growth Factor
7.TSH (thyroid)
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone
8.Free T4 "
Thyroxine
9.Free T3 "
Triiodothyronine
10.Free T4 Percentage
11.Free T4 Percentage
…one assumes one of those was meant to read T3…
12.DHEA-Sulfate
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
13.PSA (you’re never too young to check)
Prostate-Specific Antigen

What about testing for Homocysteine, Progesterone, Pregnenolone, and Cardiac-reactive protein (CRP)??

What about frequency?
Do all tests need to be re-run at the same times?
Are there some tests that are more appropriate at specific times of the day, or is it more critical to try and have your tests fall at a consistent time of day (e.g. every 6 months as early in the AM as possible)?

In my observations of posted test results on several boards I am kinda surprised to see the number of folks that don’t have consistent tests run, or who will compare T levels from an 8:00am test to a 4:30pm test a month later and call the results “conclusive”…

Also - anyone have info on potential cost? Internet labs look to be about $400-$500/pop. I do plan to speak to my physician, but given my general good state of health I don’t know if he’ll be willing/able to bill against my insurance, so I’m trying to steel myself for the cost.

Don[/quote]

18

Not an over 35 lifter, but a young buck wanting some more experienced guys to chime in. If you were 20 years old again and had the knowledge you do now what tests would you get done? Same ones listed here(free test, ,shbg, igf1 etc) or something different?

19

You don’t need to go through your doctor to get your blood work done. Go to directlabs.com You can get everything you need without seeing a doctor. And then you will have the information and not your HMO. My HMO wouldn’t tell me the results of my blood work on my test levels only that it was low. It must be quality health care in saving me from all that worry.

20

I beleive with the new HIPPA laws they have to let you see the lab reports and everything else in your medical record. Besides you can get the lab reports from the lab yourself.