Blood Work Sanity Check

[thejumpingsheep]

Im new to all this stuff and im at the point where I want to learn what to track. Im 47 and have never done any gear. I get some tests from my doctor every year, including Comprehensive Metabolic, Vitamin D, CBC w/diff, TSH, T4 Free, and Lipid Panel.

From my days of reading, I think I should also track Testosterone, Estradiol E2, and IGF and/or HGH. So 1st question as related to IGF vs HGH. As I understand it, IGF is influenced by HGH but also includes other factors.

1 - So why do most posts on here get IGF tested instead of the HGH level? Is IGF a better indicator of something?

And next:

2 - Am I missing any other critical things that I should keep track of?

Thanks in advance.

 

[DonLigero]

Im new to all this stuff and im at the point where I want to learn what to track. Im 47 and have never done any gear. I get some tests from my doctor every year, including Comprehensive Metabolic, Vitamin D, CBC w/diff, TSH, T4 Free, and Lipid Panel.

From my days of reading, I think I should also track Testosterone, Estradiol E2, and IGF and/or HGH. So 1st question as related to IGF vs HGH. As I understand it, IGF is influenced by HGH but also includes other factors.

1 - So why do most posts on here get IGF tested instead of the HGH level? Is IGF a better indicator of something?

And next:

2 - Am I missing any other critical things that I should keep track of?

Thanks in advance.

So many variables and I am still learning more almost daily. You say you have never done any gear. Have you recently started or about to start?

At 47, I am guessing you are not worried about fertility so you do not necessarily need to worry about measuring LH and FSH. Also, if you are on Test, it will basically take your LH and FSH to zero.

Do you know baseline hormone levels (Total T, Free T and E2)?

If running gear, and taking any orals, then you would need to monitor some of the inflammatory markers especially liver and kidney function. Also most orals wreak havoc on lipids. Some people get huge changes in lipids in just a few weeks with some orals.

Depending on what you are going for, SHBG and Albumin measurements can be valuable. These both have big impacts on your free T.

On you second question, my understanding (I am no authority) is that measuring GH level is such a moving target. Like measuring blood glucose, it is a snapshot in time that can change tremendously over just a few hours (GH pulses throughout the day). IGF-1 is more of a baseline average over time. So like BG is NOW versus HbA1C is your blood sugar measurement over 2-3 months.

 

[thejumpingsheep]

Thanks for the help.

So IGF is better for long term snapshots. That makes sense. Skip LH and FSH. Get liver, kidney and lipids tests. Ill need to read up on what thos entail.

Are SHBG and Albinum usually measured with hormone panel? I guess Ill find out soon enough. I have a physical schedule later this month and Im definitely going to ask for a hormone panel. I dont see that one anywhere in my history.

I have made no decision on roids because I dont know what my test levels are. Im just going at it with healing peptides (bpc/tb/ghk-cu) and a 2mg HGH and I cant believe the results so far and its only been about a month.

From what I understand, if my Test levels are low, then there is little to no downside to getting trt or roids as long as I keep BP and other anomolies under control. I had been diagnosed with high triglycerides last year but I was 75lbs heavier at the time and it was the 1st time it had happened. Maybe it was a one off thing. Im sure the doc will retest them so Ill find out soon enough.

If Test levels are already decent, then perhaps its best to just stay natural until they go to shit. Probably wont be long now anyway... I will say I dont want more kids so thats not a problem.

 

[narta]

Add
CRP (inflammation marker)
ApoB Apoa (genetic lipid markers only want the done once)
PSA (prostate health, to get a baseline value)

 

[thejumpingsheep]

Results starting to trickle in. Hormone panel pending.

So far the biggest flag is lipid panel. I did have a surf and turf burrito about 9.5 hours before the test... Not sure that matters but it was wonderful. They said 9-12 hours so should be ok?

- Cholesterol @ 192 mg/dL (norm 7-200)
- Triglycerides @ 130 mg/dL (norm 7-150)
- HDL @ 36 mg/dL ( 40 <= norm <= 60)
- LDL @ 130 mg/dL (norm < 100)

Others:

- B12 and D low normal. Easy to take a few vitamin pills for that.
- CBC all normal except Absolute Lymphocytes @ 4.38 K/mcL (norm 0.9-3.1). Historically this has always hovered on the high side for years.
- Metabolics all normal except Chloride @ 109 mmol/L (norm 98-107)
- A1C normal
- TSH & T4 normal
- Urine clean except for Creatinine @ 201 mg/dL (norm 58-161)

So for now, cut another 10-15lbs I think? Im 6" 210lb so maybe get down to like 195-200. Ordered some fish oil. Need to cut sat fats.

I'm considering doing some T at some point, mostly for recreational purposes and to look/feel better at my age. I am guessing that the lipids make this a non-starter until they are under control? T would elevate some of those right?

 

[thejumpingsheep]

- Test 398 ng/dL (norm 300-890)
- Test Bioavailable 205 ng/dL (norm 131-682)
- Test Free Calc 71 pg/mL (norm 47-244)
- Test % Free 1.8%
- SHBG 34 nmol/L (norm 17-56)

I dont see E2 and I assume it cannot be calculated using SHBG and Test scores right? I also dont see IGF-1, apoA, apoB, CRP or PSA. Ill ask the doctor if I can get them but I have a feeling ill need to get those elsewhere.

 

[17SS]

- Test 398 ng/dL (norm 300-890)
- Test Bioavailable 205 ng/dL (norm 131-682)
- Test Free Calc 71 pg/mL (norm 47-244)
- Test % Free 1.8%
- SHBG 34 nmol/L (norm 17-56)

I dont see E2 and I assume it cannot be calculated using SHBG and Test scores right? I also dont see IGF-1, apoA, apoB, CRP or PSA. Ill ask the doctor if I can get them but I have a feeling ill need to get those elsewhere.

You’re on the lower end for Test but not low enough, not sure if your Doctor will prescribe.

My PCP wouldn’t run anything but Total Test on my bloodwork and refused to raise my dosage above 50mg/week. I’m in the process of firing him and just go through a clinic to keep a legal script for Test.