Natural Bloodwork Advice

[physikar]

After roughly 15 years of training (32 years old now), with a 3 year break during Covid ('19 - '22), I want to finally dip my toes into PEDs.
Have been looking into it now for about two years and I finally feel ready. I already have an idea of the Test-only "cycle" (not really planning to stop, so it wouldn't be a cycle in that sense).

Since this is the bloods forum I wanted to ask for advice/suggestions, if there is any feedback on what (if anything) to improve before starting or if everything seems fine. My testosterone has been on the low side in recent years, and due to elevated SHBG my endocrinologist mentioned I would actually qualify for TRT.

I measure BP every day at least once, highest over the last two months was 123/65 on average it's around 110/55 (morning measurement).

Third column are the reference ranges. Natty I do my bloods at least twice per year, planning to increase the frequency to every 8 weeks, once "on".

 

[buck]

The bloods look decent. What is your body fat and diet like?

 

[Ghoul]

IGF is slightly below average but if you’re going with TRT best to allow one thing to stabilize first. Test, then GH, then thyroid (if needed) optimization if desired.

Once all that’s set may want to get LDL down just a little, or more if your family had a history of cardiovascular disease, Lipoprotein A aka Lp(a) would also give a clearer idea of risk. (Its essentially a multiplier of LDL if high) Although you’re well within current guidelines, >70 LDL won’t be seen as desirable, for anyone, in the guidelines a decade from now so may as well stop plaque progression while your arteries are still relatively clear.

 

[physikar]

The bloods look decent. What is your body fat and diet like?

body fat should be around 10-12% (BIA is inaccurate, and haven't done dexa), so reasonably lean.

In terms of diet I stopped eating any junk and only eat self cooked meals.
If I'm lazy that is typically just chicken breast, cod or salmon with some vegetables (broccoli or Brussel sprouts mostly) and potatoes or rice. If I put a bit more effort into the meal (typically 2 times per week) I allow myself more time to bake some self-made recipes like oatmeal banana bread with sweet yoghurt icing (for the sweet tooth) or a fancy salad with self-made guacamole (just mashing avocado with lemon juice and salt) with a nice steak. But added sugars and saturated fats as little as possible.
Also typically two servings of fruits throughout the day (typically blueberries with breakfast and pineapple with dinner).

 

[physikar]

IGF is slightly below average but if you’re going with TRT best to allow one thing to stabilize first. Test, then GH, then thyroid (if needed) optimization if desired.

Once all that’s set may want to get LDL down just a little, or more if your family had a history of cardiovascular disease, Lipoprotein A aka Lp(a) would also give a clearer idea of risk. (Its essentially a multiplier of LDL if high) Although you’re well within current guidelines, >70 LDL won’t be seen as desirable, for anyone, in the guidelines a decade from now so may as well stop plaque progression while your arteries are still relatively clear.

Got it, thank you. No history of cardiovascular disease in my family, but I'll see to lower LDL.

Also thanks for the optimization suggestion, I was actually thinking of starting with 2IU GH per day, once I start with Test and am a bit into it already.
What would you do in terms of Thyroid? T3 to keep thyroid function favourable? Afaik, T3 converts into T4, so adding T4 might not be necessary, right?