Importance of Blood Testing

[Millard]

We just posted the following article:

IT'S IN YOUR BLOOD BY WILL BRINK

A down and dirty primer and intro to understanding the value of regular blood work with some strategies and pointers for optimizing hormones and other things that negatively or positively impact your health and ability to add lean body mass and minimize bodyfat levels...

http://www.meso-rx.com/articles/brink/blood-testing.htm

Comments and feedback appreciated?

 

[wingsofazrael]

thats a pretty informative post. getting bloodwork here soon.

 

[MTPUMP]

Re-bloodwork

I read your artical, great stuff guys. I printed it so I can ask for all of the tests
when I go in for blood work next month. Also I can reread it tonite and get a better understanding of the content and how it applies to me.
Thanks and keep up the great work bros.
Mtpump

 

[empedocles]

Excellent read, quite detailed i would have liked to see more informaion on liver values but overall a good article. The reason i say liver values is that i recently had blood work done and the doctor told me my liver values were 2 points over normal range which i was told were no biggy but that was the sum of the information i was provided, piece of mind would have come through more info , but the doctor left it at that...

 

[Deacon]

great post!! after reading what happened to Tom Prince it makes you realize the importance of blood work.

 

[HeadDoc]

Interesting article for general health purposes. Those considering HRT/TRT or AAS may want more information.

 

[desertdude]

nice article .. very informative ... I printed it to keep for future reference... btw - I do get my blood work done and found that i needed HRT because of it.. been doing so for about 3 years now.
I definitely feel better after I stared it and can tell when i 'need a shot' --

I have been working out now for (only) a year and I do feel that the HRT has helped me make GAINS that I wouldnt have before. but I am (too) concerned that the doc will *think* I am using this stuff just to 'get big' (over the 3 years have had to change doctors 4 times). I am actually going in tomorrow to do blood work on where my test levels are at and will have a more heart-to-heart with the doctor about it all to make sure we are clear: that I need this hrt and it's not (just) for gettin big.

 

[da game]

I think bloodwork is very important. Great post.

 

[New_Mass]

Master post, very informative and the way to go when cycling on and off.

 

[6 String]

More discussions around blood lipids

We need more discussion around managing lipids while on a cycle (and post/recovery). Statins (lipitor, mevacor, pravachol, etc) can be very effective and safe at keeping LDL/HDL ratios in check, as well as total CHL. The side effects with muscular tissue are extremely rare.

 

[newbod]

I too have had blood work and currently taking DHEA and sustenon and have been for 2 yrs and I feel great and my new body is just as good. I am 45yrs young with a 30yr old body and all because I found the right doctor to do the right blood tests. Great post!

 

[Abyss]

great read...Something everyone should check out.
I know I learned alot from it. I need to have blood work done
and this just pushed me to do it.

Abyss

 

[splunker44]

We need more discussion around managing lipids while on a cycle (and post/recovery). Statins (lipitor, mevacor, pravachol, etc) can be very effective and safe at keeping LDL/HDL ratios in check, as well as total CHL. The side effects with muscular tissue are extremely rare.

Let me second 6 Strings comments with regards
to managing lipids. I think Brink's lipid profile as posted
is poor--his LDL is way too high and this is the most
signficant risk factor for CAD. His HDL is not over 60
so it is not protective as he claims. Also he over-rates
the import of C-reactive protein as a simple screening
test for the risk of CAD.

It is always good to check AST/ALT/Alk-Phos,
Free/Bound Test,Sex hormone binding proteins,
lipid panel (fasting). I also like to check CPK, CBC,
renal near the end of a 10 week+ cycle.

If test is chronically low is routine screening,
prolactin and TSH can also be important.

 

[Green Darter]

I too have had blood work and currently taking DHEA and sustenon and have been for 2 yrs and I feel great and my new body is just as good. I am 45yrs young with a 30yr old body and all because I found the right doctor to do the right blood tests. Great post!

Do you truly notice a difference with Dhea?My dad and uncle were taking Twinlab Dhea but neither one noticed anything both play raquetball and "workout" with weights.
I have spoken to a few guys in the gym to who tried it but stopped taking it.
Darter

 

[newbod]

Do you truly notice a difference with Dhea?My dad and uncle were taking Twinlab Dhea but neither one noticed anything both play raquetball and "workout" with weights.
I have spoken to a few guys in the gym to who tried it but stopped taking it.
Darter

You are right! if you take DHEA on its own you cannot notice a differance but when I take it with sustenon 250 I do notice a bit extra get up and go as apposed to Sus alone.

 

[Skullfucked]

Most people dont realize that in most (if not all states) Chiropractors can write orders for bloodwork. I for one tell NOTHING to any MD's that I see. If you do the fact that you use AAS and your lab values are there for anyone to see.
I am an RN and can tell you firsthand that ANYONE WITH ACCESS TO YOUR CHART CAN READ IT. I know all about HIPPA and privacy but those are the facts.
Tests like LFT's (Liver function tests/panel), BUN/Creatinine (kidneys), lipids/cholesterol are essential along with test,free test,and estradiol levels. Get the fractioned (?) estrogen done. The exact name escapes me but some people have gotten test and free test levels that were acceptable yet had zero sex drive. Thing is the MD did not have Prolactin or Progesterone levels checked nor was the Estradiol assay done.
Supps like R-Ala and Green tea/green tea extract are relatively cheap and help protect not only the liver but benefit the entire body.

 

[jroc44]

post

As we all focus so much on the outside it brings back to light the details of everyting that makes the whole.


JB

Fibrate-class drugs are not routinely used to manage
a dyslipidemia characterized by high LDL, low HDL. Fibrates
are quite effective in lowering triglycerides but they have
a weak to nil effect on LDL/HDL levels

 

[pugsy]

Hmm...

Very interesting! Good read! Thanks, Potts

 

[highoutput]

Very interesting. I think bloodwork plays an important roll in knowing your body a thing that we should all be striving to learn about.

 

[SWALE]

I have read this article, and told Will Brink I basically like it. Recently Anabolic Insider and Hardcore Muscle had an article on this very topic which was absolutely ludicrous.

Statins have been shown to improve the Lipid Profile, but have absolutely no positive effect on increasing life span. Just some food for thought. In fact, I would prefer a guy with a CHOL of 240 who is taking lots of fish oil over one who is at 195 on statins and trans fatty acids. And anyone who takes a statin should also supplement 200mg of CoQ10, as this important bioactive substance is lowered by statins, too.

DHEA does not elevate T levels in men. it does, however, increase estrogens.

The estradiol assay of choice for men must be "sensitive", as the lower range for the rapid assay for females (default unless so specified) is the top of "normal" range for males. Quest Diagnostics calls theirs the Nichols Protocol, or Extraction Method.

Yes, Chiropractors can order labs, but VERY few know how to interpet them. And THAT is the real key.