Sean Reed
Banned
[h=3]The Importance of labs[/b]One of the most critical things you can do to improve health and longevity is to get regular blood work. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of labs. Labs are one of the best steps you can take to protect your health and enhance your well-being. https://thepathologist.com/issues/1015/the-true-value-of-laboratory-medicine/
It is widely held that annual blood testing, labs, is the most important action you can take to avoid life-threatening disease. With labs in hand, you can catch critical changes in your body before they manifest as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or a host of other diseases. Nowhere is this more important than if you are using steroids and or on TRT. Having the proper blood tests can empower you to enact a science-based disease-prevention program that could add decades to you life.
The importance of labs is why I strongly recommend at least 2 screening a year (every 6 months).
Blood tests have benefits that go far beyond disease prevention. For example, by monitoring levels of testosterone, GH (measured as IGF-1) and TSH you can take decisive steps to enhance your quality of life, perhaps by correcting a depressive mental state, erectile dysfunction, abdominal fat, or by improving your memory and energy levels. For these markers you generally want to be in the high normal range (keep in mind that for TSH lower numbers equal a faster metabolism) for optimal health and performance.
PSA
For men, Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is a protein manufactured by the prostate gland in men. Elevated levels may suggest an enlarged prostate, prostate inflammation, or prostate cancer. Elevated levels of PSA may not necessarily signal prostate cancer, and prostate cancer may not always be accompanied by expression of PSA. All doctors order this. If you are using steroids you will also need a prostate exam at least once a year. This exam sucks, you will hate (well most of you, lol) but but it is necessary.
Testosterone (Total and Free) and SHBG
Everyone looks at Total Test, but it is Free test that is really important. Free T is the Testosteron your body can actually use. High SHBG (Steroid Hormone Binding Glubule) can cause you to be deficient in Free T even though your total T looks normal.
TSH
Secreted by the pituitary gland, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) controls thyroid hormone secretion in the thyroid. When blood levels fall below normal, this indicates hyperthyroidism (increased thyroid activity, also called thyrotoxicosis), and when values are above normal, this suggests hypothyroidism (low thyroid activity). Overt hyper- or hypothyroidism is generally easy to diagnose, but subclinical disease can be more elusive.
It should be noted that the range for TSH was changed by endocrinologists in 2002, but many other doctors are unaware of this change.
Estradiol (estrogen)
Like testosterone, both men and women need estrogen for numerous physiological functions. Estradiol is the primary circulating form of estrogen in men and women, and is an indicator of hypothalamic and pituitary function. Men produce estradiol in much smaller amounts than do women; most estradiol is produced from testosterone and adrenal steroid hormones, and a fraction is produced directly by the testes.
Most steroids aromatize into estrogen. That is why you need either an AI or a SERM.
Keep in mind that a man needs SOME estrogen. AI’s are notorious for driving estro too low resulting in erectile dis function. That is why an AI twice week us usually enough to get the job done.
Liver Function tests
ALT AST, Albumin, Total protein, Bilirubin.
Hematocrit (Hem.)
Hem. measures your red blood cell count. The higher the better your cardio capabilities will be. Unfortunately, high Hem can also contribute to stroke. You need to closely monitor Hem., especially as you get older.
It is widely held that annual blood testing, labs, is the most important action you can take to avoid life-threatening disease. With labs in hand, you can catch critical changes in your body before they manifest as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or a host of other diseases. Nowhere is this more important than if you are using steroids and or on TRT. Having the proper blood tests can empower you to enact a science-based disease-prevention program that could add decades to you life.
The importance of labs is why I strongly recommend at least 2 screening a year (every 6 months).
Blood tests have benefits that go far beyond disease prevention. For example, by monitoring levels of testosterone, GH (measured as IGF-1) and TSH you can take decisive steps to enhance your quality of life, perhaps by correcting a depressive mental state, erectile dysfunction, abdominal fat, or by improving your memory and energy levels. For these markers you generally want to be in the high normal range (keep in mind that for TSH lower numbers equal a faster metabolism) for optimal health and performance.
PSA
For men, Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is a protein manufactured by the prostate gland in men. Elevated levels may suggest an enlarged prostate, prostate inflammation, or prostate cancer. Elevated levels of PSA may not necessarily signal prostate cancer, and prostate cancer may not always be accompanied by expression of PSA. All doctors order this. If you are using steroids you will also need a prostate exam at least once a year. This exam sucks, you will hate (well most of you, lol) but but it is necessary.
Testosterone (Total and Free) and SHBG
Everyone looks at Total Test, but it is Free test that is really important. Free T is the Testosteron your body can actually use. High SHBG (Steroid Hormone Binding Glubule) can cause you to be deficient in Free T even though your total T looks normal.
TSH
Secreted by the pituitary gland, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) controls thyroid hormone secretion in the thyroid. When blood levels fall below normal, this indicates hyperthyroidism (increased thyroid activity, also called thyrotoxicosis), and when values are above normal, this suggests hypothyroidism (low thyroid activity). Overt hyper- or hypothyroidism is generally easy to diagnose, but subclinical disease can be more elusive.
It should be noted that the range for TSH was changed by endocrinologists in 2002, but many other doctors are unaware of this change.
Estradiol (estrogen)
Like testosterone, both men and women need estrogen for numerous physiological functions. Estradiol is the primary circulating form of estrogen in men and women, and is an indicator of hypothalamic and pituitary function. Men produce estradiol in much smaller amounts than do women; most estradiol is produced from testosterone and adrenal steroid hormones, and a fraction is produced directly by the testes.
Most steroids aromatize into estrogen. That is why you need either an AI or a SERM.
Keep in mind that a man needs SOME estrogen. AI’s are notorious for driving estro too low resulting in erectile dis function. That is why an AI twice week us usually enough to get the job done.
Liver Function tests
ALT AST, Albumin, Total protein, Bilirubin.
Hematocrit (Hem.)
Hem. measures your red blood cell count. The higher the better your cardio capabilities will be. Unfortunately, high Hem can also contribute to stroke. You need to closely monitor Hem., especially as you get older.
