What Blood Tests to Get Done?

Diet and Nutrition
1

I’m going to see my doc tomorrow about some scrips I have (in addition to new treatments for my knees), and I figured that since I was there, why not get some blood work done?

Utilizing the wonderful search tool, I came up with these blood tests that should be done:

  • free T (all T done together in a total hormone test?)
  • lutenizing hormone (would this be included in a total hormone test?)
  • estradiol
  • B12
  • LDL
  • cholesterol
  • phosphate
  • tri glycerides
  • coristol
  • thyroid levels/tests?
  • GH levels?

When I googled this, I also discovered “complete blood count” and “comprehensive metabolic panel” tests.

This seems like a lot, and I’m pretty sure there is a lot of overlap amongst all of these.
Since the tests won’t cost me anything, which (or all) should I get?

2

The issue will be convincing your physician that the tests are justifiable. What reason are you going to give him for requesting them?

3

I don’t think he’ll question them, known him for a while.

My reason for the hormone stuff is because I think my test is low, either due to a problem or the SSRI I’m taking. Since I’m at prime test age though, I want to know.

The other stuff… good to know? Establish a bench mark for later on?

Why wouldn’t they let you do blood tests?

4

[quote]madquarker wrote:
I don’t think he’ll question them, known him for a while.

My reason for the hormone stuff is because I think my test is low, either due to a problem or the SSRI I’m taking. Since I’m at prime test age though, I want to know.

The other stuff… good to know? Establish a bench mark for later on?

Why wouldn’t they let you do blood tests?[/quote]

dont worry…were in canada, your doc will do it

5

[quote]madquarker wrote:
Why wouldn’t they let you do blood tests?[/quote]

It’s been my experience that doctors won’t order medical tests just because a patient requests them.

A big part of this is that physicians need to justify such tests for insurance companies to pay for them.

Then again, if you know your doc well and are in Canada, things may be different.

6

Yeah, I’m not really concerned about whether or not they will submit the tests or not… I would be very surprised if I were turned down. Even if I were, it wouldn’t cost that much to go to a lab and have it done myself.

Does anyone have any recommendations as to which tests from above I should get?

7

just get a full workup man…cant hurt

8

So everything that I listed? Or should I just tell my doc “a full workup” and that will suffice? Anything important that might not be included in that that I should add on as well?

9

Add 25-hydroxyvitamin D to the list of tests. See this article for more info: Strength Training, Bodybuilding & Online Supplement Store - T NATION

10

Guess it’s a little late but I’d order a vitamin and mineral panel (in addition to the 25-hydroxyvitamin D test which is not covered in a standard test), if it’s not standard. I’m not sure what it’s called, but it’s very important to make sure you’re not clinically deficient in one or more nutrients.