genepool
12-14-2008, 10:56 PM
We all talk about getting blood work done to establish levels so you know what is going on with your body during cycles. Here is a list of the tests you should get during the 3 cycle phases to keep track of your health
Total Testosterone - This will be your baseline level, and a measure of recover of when you return to "normal". Get it done first thing in the morning when levels are highest. Normal levels for males run 300-1000. Just because you are at the lower end of normal doesn?t mean u are malfunctioning. The levels are broad because everyone has a different homeostatic value, and 300 doesn't make you less of a man or have less potential than a person with a 1000 baseline level. On Stern years ago they all had levels tested, Howards was close to 1000 and he is built like a stick. My pre shutdown level was 416, so that gives you an idea of what it means to potential.
Free Testosterone - This is the actually physiologically active portion of total testosterone. Most of Total test is bound up in SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) and is inactive. Free testosterone exerts an effect on the body. It accounts for roughly 2% of total testosterone. Not exactly an indicator of recover, but can be a clue to decreased libido.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) ? A pituitary hormone that stimulates sperm production. Normal levels range from 1.5-6.8IU. This is an indicator of recovery of the HPTA. Mid cycle it will drop to close to zero.
Luteinizing Hormone - Another pituitary hormone. It is responsible for stimulating the Leydig cells of the Testes to produce testosterone. During PCT the level will be elevated above your baseline as the body recovers. Once full recover is achieved it will return to normal values. 2-12IU is normal range. High or low doesn't matter unless your total test levels are abnormal. Mid cycle it will drop to close to zero.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel - AKA Chem. 21. This panel includes all electrolytes, Kidney/Liver enzymes and metabolic products. The most important values to watch on this are AST (SGOT, GOT), ALT(GPT , SGPT), ALP, GGT which are liver and kidney enzymes. Total Protein, and Albumin levels are also indicative of liver function and are NOT related to protein intake. Albumin is a transport protein produced by the liver and accounts for almost 50% of total protein. Total Protein is a measure of all the proteins produced by the body including immunoglobulins. And BUN, Creatinine, which indicate kidney function. On a higher protein diet BUN is going to be naturally elevated because BUN is a metabolic byproduct of protein metabolism.
Cholesterol Panel + Triglycerides - Obvious reasons for this. HDL, LDL and Total Cholesterol levels are important to keep note of. This is one of the more dangerous effects of AAS usage is the effect on cholesterol. High levels of test coupled with lower levels of estrogen destroy your cholesterol levels and can lead to atherosclerosis (plaque build up in the coronary arteries).
Ancillary Labs. Not vital, but useful if you experience certain sides.
Estradiol/Estrogen - Levels in normal men should be under 20pg/mL. Estrogenic sides will be apparent faster than you can get the results from the test (aka gyno). Post cycle it will help indicate how fast you recover. Higher levels of estrogen are suppressive of Testosterone.
Prolactin - In men the levels should be between 0-15ng/mL. Higher levels can cause lactation and in post cycle higher levels are suppressive of GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone).
Thyroid Panel - Theoretically AAS use should have minimal to no effect on thyroid function. But it always good to know if you plan on using T3, T4 during a cycle. Get Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Total T4, Free T4, Total T3, Free T3 and T3 Uptake. Don?t bother with Reverse T3, it is an outdated and useless test.
Cortisol - Although I personally feel this hormone is given FAR too much weight in AAS use, it can still be a useful level to know. It is elevated in times of stress and can become more elevated if you approach overtraining. The level is going to be higher in the AM because it is a "wake up" hormone that increases blood glucose levels to help kick start your metabolism in the morning, 5-25mcg/dL is normal for AM levels.
Total Testosterone - This will be your baseline level, and a measure of recover of when you return to "normal". Get it done first thing in the morning when levels are highest. Normal levels for males run 300-1000. Just because you are at the lower end of normal doesn?t mean u are malfunctioning. The levels are broad because everyone has a different homeostatic value, and 300 doesn't make you less of a man or have less potential than a person with a 1000 baseline level. On Stern years ago they all had levels tested, Howards was close to 1000 and he is built like a stick. My pre shutdown level was 416, so that gives you an idea of what it means to potential.
Free Testosterone - This is the actually physiologically active portion of total testosterone. Most of Total test is bound up in SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) and is inactive. Free testosterone exerts an effect on the body. It accounts for roughly 2% of total testosterone. Not exactly an indicator of recover, but can be a clue to decreased libido.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) ? A pituitary hormone that stimulates sperm production. Normal levels range from 1.5-6.8IU. This is an indicator of recovery of the HPTA. Mid cycle it will drop to close to zero.
Luteinizing Hormone - Another pituitary hormone. It is responsible for stimulating the Leydig cells of the Testes to produce testosterone. During PCT the level will be elevated above your baseline as the body recovers. Once full recover is achieved it will return to normal values. 2-12IU is normal range. High or low doesn't matter unless your total test levels are abnormal. Mid cycle it will drop to close to zero.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel - AKA Chem. 21. This panel includes all electrolytes, Kidney/Liver enzymes and metabolic products. The most important values to watch on this are AST (SGOT, GOT), ALT(GPT , SGPT), ALP, GGT which are liver and kidney enzymes. Total Protein, and Albumin levels are also indicative of liver function and are NOT related to protein intake. Albumin is a transport protein produced by the liver and accounts for almost 50% of total protein. Total Protein is a measure of all the proteins produced by the body including immunoglobulins. And BUN, Creatinine, which indicate kidney function. On a higher protein diet BUN is going to be naturally elevated because BUN is a metabolic byproduct of protein metabolism.
Cholesterol Panel + Triglycerides - Obvious reasons for this. HDL, LDL and Total Cholesterol levels are important to keep note of. This is one of the more dangerous effects of AAS usage is the effect on cholesterol. High levels of test coupled with lower levels of estrogen destroy your cholesterol levels and can lead to atherosclerosis (plaque build up in the coronary arteries).
Ancillary Labs. Not vital, but useful if you experience certain sides.
Estradiol/Estrogen - Levels in normal men should be under 20pg/mL. Estrogenic sides will be apparent faster than you can get the results from the test (aka gyno). Post cycle it will help indicate how fast you recover. Higher levels of estrogen are suppressive of Testosterone.
Prolactin - In men the levels should be between 0-15ng/mL. Higher levels can cause lactation and in post cycle higher levels are suppressive of GnRH (gonadotropin releasing hormone).
Thyroid Panel - Theoretically AAS use should have minimal to no effect on thyroid function. But it always good to know if you plan on using T3, T4 during a cycle. Get Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Total T4, Free T4, Total T3, Free T3 and T3 Uptake. Don?t bother with Reverse T3, it is an outdated and useless test.
Cortisol - Although I personally feel this hormone is given FAR too much weight in AAS use, it can still be a useful level to know. It is elevated in times of stress and can become more elevated if you approach overtraining. The level is going to be higher in the AM because it is a "wake up" hormone that increases blood glucose levels to help kick start your metabolism in the morning, 5-25mcg/dL is normal for AM levels.