When to Draw for Defy - peak or valley?

[Fireproof]

Here's the dilemma: I inject Monday AM and Thursday PM. My choices for next blood draw is either Friday or Monday before I inject. I can't do Sat or Sun because lab clinic is closed. And I can't do Tues-Thurs because I'm traveling.

Original instructions from Defy were "have labs drawn between injections, on a non-injection day." I asked for clarification with my calendar issue above, and Miranda suggested Friday.

But I was thinking Monday morning might be better to get a "low point." But I dunno. Does it matter that much, if the doctor knows when it was in relation to the injections?

Comments?

 

[ERO]

I would do the day of your injection, but BEFORE you inject - the valley in other words. Then when you have your consult, just let the Dr know what day you did your blood draw.

 

[Fireproof]

I would do the day of your injection, but BEFORE you inject - the valley in other words. Then when you have your consult, just let the Dr know what day you did your blood draw.

That's kind of what I was thinking...to see my lowest levels.

Any other input before I make my appointment?

Thanks.

 

[Vince]

I agree with ERO, on injection day before you inject.

 

[ERO]

Maybe write down a list of questions to ask the Dr if you want, otherwise you should be good to go!

 

[Fireproof]

Thanks guys! Much appreciated.

I do have a list of questions. But in general - I'm feeling great.

 

[Gene Devine]

If you're injecting twice weekly like you stated it makes no difference when you get tested as your serum levels are very stable and consistent.

I've been injecting twice weekly for years now and have gotten tested whenever requested and I never worried about what and when and my levels on the labs are statistically the same.

That's another one of the advantages to injecting twice weekly.

 

[Fireproof]

If you're injecting twice weekly like you stated it makes no difference when you get tested as your serum levels are very stable and consistent.

I've been injecting twice weekly for years now and have gotten tested whenever requested and I never worried about what and when and my levels on the labs are statistically the same.

That's another one of the advantages to injecting twice weekly.

Thanks - that makes a lot of sense. I definitely love the more frequent injections.

 

[Vince Carter]

If you're injecting twice weekly like you stated it makes no difference when you get tested as your serum levels are very stable and consistent.

I've been injecting twice weekly for years now and have gotten tested whenever requested and I never worried about what and when and my levels on the labs are statistically the same.

That's another one of the advantages to injecting twice weekly.

That's is patently contradictory to every other bit of advice given on injection and testing timing. Testing is ALWAYS done in a trough, and there's no way that E3.5D gives you such steady levels that injection and testing timing make no difference.

 

[CoastWatcher]

That's is patently contradictory to every other bit of advice given on injection and testing timing. Testing is ALWAYS done in a trough, and there's no way that E3.5D gives you such steady levels that injection and testing timing make no difference.

While on a 3.5 day protocol, I tested at my trough and then randomly during the week. My trough was 300 points below the random blood draw. In my case, the trough test was critically important.

 

[Fireproof]

While on a 3.5 day protocol, I tested at my trough and then randomly during the week. My trough was 300 points below the random blood draw. In my case, the trough test was critically important.

Wow. 300 point spread is not insignificant. Thanks for sharing.

Well - it seems like the consensus is "trough testing" is what we want. So I scheduled my lab draw appointment for Monday morning, so I'll do that in a fasted state, prior to my injections that day.

 

[Fireproof]

Okay - I made my appointment for Monday morning first thing, which I'll do fasted.

After the answers here, and more searches on this site, it seems like the consensus is to test the "trough." So that's what I'll do. Plus - I feel great at various "high levels" of test, so I really want to manage my trough to a higher point that I've been dealing with prior to Defy. So it will be good to know what my new "trough" is, and if we can bump that up a little if needed. (In general I'm feeling a lot better than prior protocols, but do feel like I could feel a bit better. Will be interesting to see if the numbers correspond with that.

Thanks for the input.