New Blood Work

Training Bodybuilding
1

I am having my blood work done later this month, and I think my doctor is clueless.
I want to make sure that he checks for everything that is really important, and not just total and free test.

I did some searching, couldn’t find what I was really looking for - an explanation of each of the measurements, and how they impact T and oveall health.

I did find this from another post:

Total T : 15.2 NMOL/L (14-40)
SHBG: 26.0 NMLOL/L (20 - 45)
Free Androgen Index (FAI) : 58 (70 - 100)
Calculated FreeTestosterone (CFT) 356.7 PMOL/L (300 - 600)
FSH : 2.7 IU/L (0.7 - 6)
LH: 3.9 IU/L (0.8 - 6)
Estradiol (E2) : 73.0 PMOL/L (55 - 184)
TSH: 1.9 IU/L (0.4 - 5.5)

Total T is obvious.
I think Free test is what we can use to build muscle, and is related to libido, etc.
SBGH is hormone binding globulin which pulls T out of circulation.
LH is lutenizing hormone which stimulates the testes to make more testosterone.
Estradiol = estrogen

I think that in addition to these, I would have my PSA checked, of course, but I am wondering if any of the other measurements in the example above are really important.

Also, are there other measurements not mentioned above that should be checked?

I would appreciate input - I have a feeling that my levels may be a bit high just now, and I want to make sure I can interpret things correctly before making any changes in dosage.

2

You are using TRT. So this is not a [need for TRT/HRT issue] at all. Your LH, TFH and FSH will be low from the TRTand the levels do not matter, so do not waste your money on those.

A complete blood work will show up any issues with the liver and kidneys. Hematocrit will show if your gear is leading to too many red blood cells. That is part of the complete blood work.

Check C-reactive protein and homocysteine to detect problems with conditions that create arterial disease.

Fasting blood sugar will detect pre-diabetes. -part of your complete blood work.

Testosterone peaks in the AM and that often dictates time of day for the blood draw. But when using gear or on TRT, this effect probably does not exist at all. Get your blood work done 1/2 way between your doses as much as practical.

E levels are important. If too high or too low, there are health, mood and libido issues.

If you do not feel well, then your symptoms might drive further tests.

Edit: hankr is on TRT, changed post to correct for that context.

3

http://www.T-Nation.com/readTopic.do?id=899116

http://www.T-Nation.com/readTopic.do?id=461891

4

Thanks guys for the repsonses. The referenced article by Cy is gold.

I will post results of the blood panel here, as I think some others on TRT may be interested to see what long tern TRT has done to levels other than T, if anything.

5

[quote]hankr wrote:
Thanks guys for the repsonses. The referenced article by Cy is gold.

I will post results of the blood panel here, as I think some others on TRT may be interested to see what long tern TRT has done to levels other than T, if anything.[/quote]

Excellent. Don’t be afraid to print out those articles and take them to the doc with you, to make sure they test for what you want.

6

Saw my urologist today, and he is not as clueless as I thought, apparently. They took blood for a T level check. Next week I am having a complete blood panel doen by my GP to check cholesterol, etc.

My guy tells me today, that my last T level check in April 06 was 578, not 892 as I have thought all this time. I got the number over the phone, so I don’t know if it was her misread or me not listening. Anyway, it is still double what it was before HRT. No prostate enlargment, PSA last time was 1.3, he expects the same this time.

One of the reasons for the test this month was that my sex drive is through the roof. I mean ridiculous, like changing my behaviour ridiculous. My theory was that that my recent fat loss resulted in higher natural levels of T. He says different. Here’s what he says he sees:

Fat Man = low T, High Estrogen, low sex drive
Fit Man = opposite

He believes fat acts almost like an organ and promotes conversion of T to estrogen. Also thinks that most prescriptions for “boner pills” could be replaced with an exercise program and diet.

I came away with a different opinion of him.

Once I have all the results in, I’ll put them up and compare fat Hank pre HRT with fit Hank @ 1.5 years of HRT blood work. I’m guessing that all the numbers will be better.

7

You’re on transdermal right?

Transdermals create higher levels of DHT than injections. That DHT can improve libido and correct ED. So when transdermal works well, it can be more effective than injections in that regard. Blood work should check to see that DHT does not get supra-physiological. Hair loss issues for those with susceptible genes would be worse.

8

kicking this excellent thread.

9

OK - Got the endo numbers, looking good…

PSA…ref range 0 - 4.0 ng/ml
4/12/06: 1.3
1/24/07: 0.8 Excellent
Digital exam shows no enlargement

Total T…ref range 241-827 ng/dl
7/25/05: 338
11/2/05: 894 (Spike - Nuts still working at this point, + Androgel?)
4/12/06: 578
1/24/07: 628
Excellent - long term treatment did not change from 4/06 to present. I put the change on losing fat, gaining muscle over this period.

LH
7/25/05: 2.4
1/24/07: 0.2
Expected, with supplemental T

Free T…Ref range is 7.2 to 24.0 pg/ml
01/24/07: 20.00

Estradiol…Ref range is 0 - 53 pg/ml
1/24/07: 37

Comments from the more knowledgable posters are requested. Based on my rudimentary knowledge, it looks like HRT is a success for me. All my symptoms, with the exception of insomnia, are gone. Sex drive through the roof. Steady progress in body re-composition.

Yay science!

10

[quote]hankr wrote:
OK - Got the endo numbers, looking good…

PSA…ref range 0 - 4.0 ng/ml
4/12/06: 1.3
1/24/07: 0.8 Excellent
Digital exam shows no enlargement

Total T…ref range 241-827 ng/dl
7/25/05: 338
11/2/05: 894 (Spike - Nuts still working at this point, + Androgel?)
4/12/06: 578
1/24/07: 628
Excellent - long term treatment did not change from 4/06 to present. I put the change on losing fat, gaining muscle over this period.

LH
7/25/05: 2.4
1/24/07: 0.2
Expected, with supplemental T

Free T…Ref range is 7.2 to 24.0 pg/ml
01/24/07: 20.00

Estradiol…Ref range is 0 - 53 pg/ml
1/24/07: 37

Comments from the more knowledgable posters are requested. Based on my rudimentary knowledge, it looks like HRT is a success for me. All my symptoms, with the exception of insomnia, are gone. Sex drive through the roof. Steady progress in body re-composition.

Yay science!

[/quote]

Refresh us on your TRT: injections, transdermal, doses, HCG?

Looks like you are not on AI. Some would argue that your E could be better close to 1/2 of what it is now. TD could be part of that higher level of E.

Any DHT numbers? With TD, HDT can be high, with benefits to libido and strength of wood. Any acne or hair loss issues?

What changes to skin do you have? Dryness, flakyness, elasticity and thickness?

When you see a pretty and attractive young lady, do you now see something you would like to hit instead of [only] aesthetic beauty?

Now is morning vs nocturnal wood?

You are early in this process, and so far, it seems that you are doing better than most. Watch and note further changes.

11

[quote]KSman wrote:

Refresh us on your TRT: injections, transdermal, doses, HCG?

Looks like you are not on AI. Some would argue that your E could be better close to 1/2 of what it is now. TD could be part of that higher level of E.

Any DHT numbers? With TD, HDT can be high, with benefits to libido and strength of wood. Any acne or hair loss issues?

What changes to skin do you have? Dryness, flakyness, elasticity and thickness?

When you see a pretty and attractive young lady, do you now see something you would like to hit instead of [only] aesthetic beauty?

Now is morning vs nocturnal wood?

You are early in this process, and so far, it seems that you are doing better than most. Watch and note further changes.[/quote]

Androgel 5mg ED
Don’t have the DHT numbers, but I think I may get them because I do see some thinning in the front above my forehead. I have no way of knowing if this is the HRT or genetic, as I do not have pics of uncles, gparents, etc. No acne at all.

No skin changes, but I was not seeing a lot of age related changes there anyway.

Sex drive is VERY high, high enough that it is an issue in the marriage. I want to hit everything.

Occassional morning wood. Erections much stronger and more readily available.

The only thing in this that bothers me is the possibility of hair loss. I have silver hair, but very thick, and it looks good with the goatee. I have always enjoyed the juxtaposition of the silver hair with the muscular body. I think it really makes us older guys look great, esp when an out of shape slob same age is next to us.

12

As a data point for you… I’ve always had thick hair with no baldness in the family and at 55 I show no signs of male pattern baldness but when I upped my T, my hair thinned out in front to a noticeable degree and it worried me at first but it quickly stabilized and hasn’t become a problem.

While thinner than before, I’m still nowhere even close to the baldness neighborhood. A small price to pay for the benefits of higher T, IMHO.

Getting your hormones dialed in isn’t simple or easy but it sure has made one hell of a difference in my life. Sexually, body composition, zest for life, it’s all great now, whereas before I was ready to replace Bob Dole in the ED commercials and was so depressed I prayed every night that I would die in my sleep.

I actually think all the commercials for ED meds do a real disservice to men in making them think that the little blue pill is the answer to their issues. Forget the pills, I can launch a diamond cutter any time my gf smiles at me.

13

[quote]hankr wrote:

Sex drive is VERY high, high enough that it is an issue in the marriage. I want to hit everything.

Occasional morning wood. Erections much stronger and more readily available.

[/quote]

I bet that lower E would improve the morning wood. Again, not an end it itself, but seems to be a good indicator when things are working well.

You have not been on TRT very long. There are other changes that you will go through. Your libido will calm down.

Your wife may feel threatened. For the gals, when their men get very sexual, it upsets the balance that they had in their lives. They may fear that you will take your wood someplace else if they cannot keep you happy. They may be pressured into putting out more than they want to because of the fear of you wandering. There can be a disconnect as the wives can also have hormone deficits and they may be jealous of your sexual reawakening and new youthfulness. They can have a feeling of been left behind. Some marriages do not survive TRT or TRT+HGH. In some cases, when one spouse gets on these things, the other will later do also. So the TRT is a disturbance and things will change. The best outcome is when ones spouse starts to enjoy the sex and the fears slowly fade away. The increased sex can create a strong bond and level of trust and affection that had faded as hormones faded. And as the hormones faded, the couple has been subjected to the pressures of jobs, careers, raising kids, commuting. Getting back into an active sexual relationship can allow for depths of connection that were not possible with some of the life stresses that occur in earlier on in life. On way or another, it can be about falling in love all over again.

14

[quote]hankr wrote:The only thing in this that bothers me is the possibility of hair loss. I have silver hair, but very thick, and it looks good with the goatee. I have always enjoyed the juxtaposition of the silver hair with the muscular body. I think it really makes us older guys look great, esp when an out of shape slob same age is next to us.
[/quote]

I do have male pattern baldness, and oddly since starting HRT (injections) I am growing MORE hair on top of my head.

Granted it is not as thick as the sides, but people have commented on it, and it has been enough for me to forgo the all over #1 guard haircut I used to do to see what happens when it grows out to a few inches.

(P.S. If you do end up losing your hair, you’ll still have a muscular body. . .sure both would be great, but if I had to choose one or the other for myself, it wouldn’t be the hair!)

15

Who needs a lot of hair when you got morning wood? Nice hairy arms are more masculine than excess hair on the head anyway.

You might want to have your cortisol level checked on the next blood test also and keep tracking that. Your T levels can go down a bit but if your T:C ratio improves, you may find that you actually become more anabolic.