Common and Important Labs for Steroid Users
Different labs will have different “normal ranges”. If at any time you have symptoms, you feel need to be addressed you will need to get lab work done ahead of schedule. I also wanted to give a brief explanation as to what each test is. It is important to take charge of your health and get blood work needed to ensure the effectiveness and safety of your steroid cycle. If not from your doctor, there are online labs you can pay for while just having your blood drawn at a local Labcorp or similar drawing station.
Testosterone (Total & Free)
Low testosterone levels can negatively affect fertility, libido, and muscle mass. If your testosterone is low or borderline you can also suffer from symptoms such as abdominal obesity, depression, osteoporosis and heart disease. If your lab work comes back low or borderline and you suffer from symptoms, you should seek out treatment. Unfortunately, most General Physicians are unwilling to treat low test., and would rather refer you to an Endocrinologist. It is important at this point you take charge of your health and seek treatment.
Estradiol (E2)
Both men and women need estrogen. The primary circulating form of estrogen is Estradiol. Healthy levels can indicate healthy hypothalamic and pituitary function. It also plays a role in support of bone density for both men and women. Too much estradiol in men can accompany gynecomastia, lowered sex drive and other negative issues.
Lipid Panel
Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, and total cholesterol/HDL ratio all indicators of the status of your cardiovascular system. Also blood glucose an indicator of diabetes. Critical minerals like calcium, iron, and potassium are assessed. Electrolytes, liver functions and the kidney panel.
Creatinine
Used to measure the functioning of the kidneys. Levels will be higher in bodybuilders as creatinine is a byproduct of creatine phosphate, the chemical used in contraction of skeletal muscle.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Low levels of TSH indicates hyperthyroidism or increased thyroid activity. Higher than normal levels indicate hypothyroidism or low thyroid activity.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Disease prevention starts with CBC” s. This will give you a picture of your overall health. Diagnostic information to check your vascular, kidney, blood cell and liver status. The CBC’s measure the variety, concentration, number, percentage and quality of platelets, red blood cells, white blood cells, and screens
for anemias, infections and other abnormalities.
AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase)
Used to determine stress or damage to the liver. Higher than normal AST levels can be associated with heart disease, skeletal muscle disease or liver disease. Decreased levels can be associated with acute kidney disease, pregnancy and renal dialysis.
ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase)
Disease or injury of the liver can cause increased levels of ALT. Increased levels could also be caused by mononucleosis, shock, trauma to striated muscle from weight training, hepatitis, cirrhosis and more.
Bilirubin
An increase can be caused by liver stress or damage/inflammation to gallbladder. Anabolic steroids (17=AA), antibiotics, diuretics and other drugs cause increases in billrubin. If your not on a cycle high levels could mean gallstones.
Alkaline Phosphatase(AP)
Used as an indicator of damage or stress if found in high concentrations in the liver. High levels can be from cirrhosis, rheumatoid arthritis, liver tumor, or healing fractures. Lower than normal levels can result from excess vitamin B, hypothyroidism, or malnutrition.
Albumin
Used to indicate liver function. If this is off it could be affecting absorption of anabolic steroids.
BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)
Measures the amount of urea nitrogen present in the blood. A good indicator of both liver and kidney function. Increased levels can be from shock, burns, congestive heart failure, excessive protein ingestion, excessive protein catabolism, sepsis, etc.
Every lab above is in the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) except the hormones, CBC, and lipid panel. Every test takes a true understanding of science to detect a real medical abnormality.
Here are the test to consider
The Pre Cycle Tests- (baseline tests):
Prostate, Mineral and Glucose, Hormones (steroids), Lipids, Full Liver Panes, CBC and CMP, Renal, Electrolytes
The On Cycle Tests:
Lipids (standard full Set); Liver Panel (especial with hepatotoxic steroids); CBC & CMP; Renal ; Electrolytes, Mineral and Glucose. This should be done 4 weeks into cycle
The Post Cycle Tests:
Hormones (steroids, LH/FSH); Lipids (Standard Full Set); Liver Panel (especial with hepatotoxic steroids); CBC & CMP; Electrolytes, Mineral and Glucose; Prostate. Must be a minimum of 6 weeks post cycle, 8 weeks is my rule of thumb
I enjoyed researching this for everyone at WWW.MUSCLECHEMISTRY.COM.
IRON-GAME
Different labs will have different “normal ranges”. If at any time you have symptoms, you feel need to be addressed you will need to get lab work done ahead of schedule. I also wanted to give a brief explanation as to what each test is. It is important to take charge of your health and get blood work needed to ensure the effectiveness and safety of your steroid cycle. If not from your doctor, there are online labs you can pay for while just having your blood drawn at a local Labcorp or similar drawing station.
Testosterone (Total & Free)
Low testosterone levels can negatively affect fertility, libido, and muscle mass. If your testosterone is low or borderline you can also suffer from symptoms such as abdominal obesity, depression, osteoporosis and heart disease. If your lab work comes back low or borderline and you suffer from symptoms, you should seek out treatment. Unfortunately, most General Physicians are unwilling to treat low test., and would rather refer you to an Endocrinologist. It is important at this point you take charge of your health and seek treatment.
Estradiol (E2)
Both men and women need estrogen. The primary circulating form of estrogen is Estradiol. Healthy levels can indicate healthy hypothalamic and pituitary function. It also plays a role in support of bone density for both men and women. Too much estradiol in men can accompany gynecomastia, lowered sex drive and other negative issues.
Lipid Panel
Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, and total cholesterol/HDL ratio all indicators of the status of your cardiovascular system. Also blood glucose an indicator of diabetes. Critical minerals like calcium, iron, and potassium are assessed. Electrolytes, liver functions and the kidney panel.
Creatinine
Used to measure the functioning of the kidneys. Levels will be higher in bodybuilders as creatinine is a byproduct of creatine phosphate, the chemical used in contraction of skeletal muscle.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Low levels of TSH indicates hyperthyroidism or increased thyroid activity. Higher than normal levels indicate hypothyroidism or low thyroid activity.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Disease prevention starts with CBC” s. This will give you a picture of your overall health. Diagnostic information to check your vascular, kidney, blood cell and liver status. The CBC’s measure the variety, concentration, number, percentage and quality of platelets, red blood cells, white blood cells, and screens
for anemias, infections and other abnormalities.
AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase)
Used to determine stress or damage to the liver. Higher than normal AST levels can be associated with heart disease, skeletal muscle disease or liver disease. Decreased levels can be associated with acute kidney disease, pregnancy and renal dialysis.
ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase)
Disease or injury of the liver can cause increased levels of ALT. Increased levels could also be caused by mononucleosis, shock, trauma to striated muscle from weight training, hepatitis, cirrhosis and more.
Bilirubin
An increase can be caused by liver stress or damage/inflammation to gallbladder. Anabolic steroids (17=AA), antibiotics, diuretics and other drugs cause increases in billrubin. If your not on a cycle high levels could mean gallstones.
Alkaline Phosphatase(AP)
Used as an indicator of damage or stress if found in high concentrations in the liver. High levels can be from cirrhosis, rheumatoid arthritis, liver tumor, or healing fractures. Lower than normal levels can result from excess vitamin B, hypothyroidism, or malnutrition.
Albumin
Used to indicate liver function. If this is off it could be affecting absorption of anabolic steroids.
BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)
Measures the amount of urea nitrogen present in the blood. A good indicator of both liver and kidney function. Increased levels can be from shock, burns, congestive heart failure, excessive protein ingestion, excessive protein catabolism, sepsis, etc.
Every lab above is in the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) except the hormones, CBC, and lipid panel. Every test takes a true understanding of science to detect a real medical abnormality.
Here are the test to consider
The Pre Cycle Tests- (baseline tests):
Prostate, Mineral and Glucose, Hormones (steroids), Lipids, Full Liver Panes, CBC and CMP, Renal, Electrolytes
The On Cycle Tests:
Lipids (standard full Set); Liver Panel (especial with hepatotoxic steroids); CBC & CMP; Renal ; Electrolytes, Mineral and Glucose. This should be done 4 weeks into cycle
The Post Cycle Tests:
Hormones (steroids, LH/FSH); Lipids (Standard Full Set); Liver Panel (especial with hepatotoxic steroids); CBC & CMP; Electrolytes, Mineral and Glucose; Prostate. Must be a minimum of 6 weeks post cycle, 8 weeks is my rule of thumb
I enjoyed researching this for everyone at WWW.MUSCLECHEMISTRY.COM.
IRON-GAME
