Pre-Cycle Bloodwork (running on fumes)

[malieduard]

Hi everyone,

I am currently trying to get shredded before starting my 1st lean bulk (will be on Testosterone + Tbol). As such, I wanted to do some bloodwork before I start the cycle and switch from the current deficit to 300-400 kcal surplus.

My current data:
29 yo, male, 184 cm, 76.2 kg. Estimated bodyweight around 10% (last DEXA scan was close to the end of the year but I became significantly more defined than back then).

At this moment I am on a daily deficit of a 600-700 kcal (on average: daily caloric intake of 2700 kcal, out of which at least 170g are protein, and the rest is high carb low fat, while the total daily burn should be anywhere between 3300 and 3500.

The thing is, I work in my corporate job Monday to Friday (standard 9-18), but I also had to take a secondary job at a hotel as a receptionist (currently working there shifts per 3 week: 1 night shift randomly Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday 20-08 and weekends 08-20). I am also studying actively for my accounting exams whenever I can.

Because of this I had to reduce my running volume a lot (20-25 km max), and my gym sessions to 4 per week.

I currently take the following stuff:

Tirzepatide 10mg per week
NMN (500mg Uthever powder, sublingually)
5-amino-1mq (50mg)
Omega 3 (1.5 g EPA, 0.75g DHA)
Citrus Bergamot (600mg)
Magnesium Bisglycinate (200mg)
Taurine 3g
NAC (600mg)
Ashwagandha KSM-66 (500mg)
L-Theanine 200mg
Vitamin D3 2000UI + K2
Zinc 30mg
Creatine 5g
AlphaMen (MyProtein complex of Multivitamins and minerals) alongside 10mg BioPerine
SLU-PP-332 (3x1mg split around the day, with fats)
Methylene Blue (20mg, oral tab)
GHK-CU (2mg per day)

Now, for the bloodwork as PER SE:

HEMATOLOGY
RBC: 5.91 mil/µL (Ref: 4.44–5.61) [HIGH]
Hemoglobin: 14.8 g/dL (Ref: 13.5–16.9)
Hematocrit: 46.4% (Ref: 40–49.4)
MCV: 78.5 fL (Ref: 81.8–95.5) [LOW]
MCH: 25 pg (Ref: 27–32.3) [LOW]
MCHC: 31.9 g/dL (Ref: 32.4–35) [LOW]
RDW-CV: 14.2% (Ref: 11.6–14.8)
Platelets: 217 thou/µL (Ref: 150–450)
WBC: 5.28 thou/µL (Ref: 3.91–10.9)
Neutrophils: 46.5% / 2.45 thou/µL
Lymphocytes: 42.4% / 2.24 thou/µL
Basophils: 1.5% (Ref: 0.1–1.2) [HIGH]
ESR (VSH): 2 mm/h (Ref: <15)

BIOCHEMISTRY & METABOLIC
Urea: 64.2 mg/dL (Ref: 13–43) [HIGH]
Creatinine: 1.17 mg/dL (Ref: 0.70–1.20)
eGFR: 87 ml/min/1.73mp
ALT: 26.8 U/L (Ref: 10–50)
AST: 37.9 U/L (Ref: 10–50)
GGT: 15 U/L (Ref: 8–61)
CK (Creatine Kinase): 260 U/L (Ref: ≤308)
Glucose (Fasting): 69.2 mg/dL (Ref: 60–99)
Insulin: 0.5 µU/mL (Ref: 2.6–24.9) [LOW]
HOMA-IR: 0.1 (Optimal: 0.5–1.4)
Iron: 101 µg/dL (Ref: 59–193)
Calcium Total: 9.79 mg/dL (Ref: 8.4–10.2)
Calcium Ionic: 4.45 mg/dL (Ref: 3.6–5.2)
Magnesium: 2.09 mg/dL (Ref: 1.6–2.6)
Phosphorus: 3.36 mg/dL (Ref: 2.5–4.5)
Albumin: 4.83 g/dL (Ref: 3.5–5.2)

LIPIDS
Total Cholesterol: 141 mg/dL (Ref: <200)
HDL Cholesterol: 52.5 mg/dL (Ref: >40)
LDL Cholesterol: 74 mg/dL (Ref: <100)
Triglycerides: 69.6 mg/dL (Ref: <150)

HORMONES
TSH: 7.14 µUI/mL (Ref: 0.27–4.2) [HIGH]
Free T4: 13.6 pmol/L (Ref: 11.9–21.6)
Free T3: 3.92 pmol/L (Ref: 3.1–6.8)
Anti-TPO: 11.3 UI/mL (Ref: <34)
Testosterone (Total): 23.8 nmol/L (Ref: 8.64–29)
Conversion: ~686 ng/dL
SHBG: 51.4 nmol/L (Ref: 18.3–54.1)
Estradiol (E2): 24.2 pg/mL (Ref: 11.3–43.2)
LH: 7.17 mIU/mL (Ref: 1.7–8.6)
FSH: 6.14 mIU/mL (Ref: 1.5–12.4)
Prolactin: 347 µUI/mL (Ref: 86–324) [HIGH]
Progesterone: 3.52 nmol/L (Ref: ≤0.474) [HIGH]
Cortisol: 573 nmol/L (Ref AM: 166–507) [HIGH]
IGF-1: 112 ng/mL (Ref: 123–263) [LOW]
Note: Free Testosterone is listed as "In Progress" in the report. Will be ready in a few days but the Test, SHBG, and Albumin is already known so estimatively should be 0.38 nmol/L or 11.1 ng/dL.

I know the bloodwork ain't the best, but have you got any suggestions before I start the cycle? Of course I have also scheduled an endocrinologist visit but it is in roughly 2 weeks.

Thank you so much for your time and advice!

 

[LoremIpsum9921]

Haematology is not optimal, but it seems like it's not too bad, do you carry the thalassemia minor trait? Quite high RDW (even if its not flagged), high RBC, low MCV are suggesting that your body cannot produce properly normally sized red blood cells and compensates it with more cells.

Otherwise, I must say insulin, glucose and the calculated homa are spectacular. Everything else looks okay even if its flagged high/low. I would try to lower LDL, even if It's now okay, but on cycle it will take a hit.

Not sure about the progesterone

 

[malieduard]

Haematology is not optimal, but it seems like it's not too bad, do you carry the thalassemia minor trait? Quite high RDW (even if its not flagged), high RBC, low MCV are suggesting that your body cannot produce properly normally sized red blood cells and compensates it with more cells.

Otherwise, I must say insulin, glucose and the calculated homa are spectacular. Everything else looks okay even if its flagged high/low. I would try to lower LDL, even if It's now okay, but on cycle it will take a hit.

Not sure about the progesterone

Thank you!

I think it stems for my background as an endurance runner. This is how my hematology has always been. I did a Hemoglobin electrophoresis back in 2024 and it came out that I don't have thalassemia.

But yeah my progesterone, cortisol, are very high, prolactin high too (cortiosol related I guess) due to 76-78 hrs work weeks, one night shift every week, and the amount of gym sessioms+sprinting... I was thinking to try my best to add as much as I can to my sleep, even an average of 15-30 mins compared to now, and add Shoden extract Ashwagandha on top of the KSM-66 since that one is 35%, as well as to add Selenium, Potassium and Iodine to address potential thyroid issues...

 

[LoremIpsum9921]

Thank you!

I think it stems for my background as an endurance runner. This is how my hematology has always been. I did a Hemoglobin electrophoresis back in 2024 and it came out that I don't have thalassemia.

But yeah my progesterone, cortisol, are very high, prolactin high too (cortiosol related I guess) due to 76-78 hrs work weeks, one night shift every week, and the amount of gym sessioms+sprinting... I was thinking to try my best to add as much as I can to my sleep, even an average of 15-30 mins compared to now, and add Shoden extract Ashwagandha on top of the KSM-66 since that one is 35%, as well as to add Selenium, Potassium and Iodine to address potential thyroid issues...

I'm not a fan of ashwagandha, I think it's overhyped, and it puts unnecessary strain towards for organs.
If you know it's coming from the work 70+ hour work weeks, then there's realistically only one obvious and sustainable solution....

Moreover, steroids will generally make your sleep worse, while stimulating your already active sympathetic nervous system. If you already have problems with sleep, being overworked and/or stressed etc, than planing to take steroids in this state is just stupid. No amount of ashwagandha will fix it.