Important Blood Tests with Steroids Use

thqmas

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Just seen too many posts lately that made me understand allot of users have no idea that blood tests are a major factor in keeping us on the safe side of using gear.

First and foremost, I can not take credit for this article. It was written by Shady Eid, a certified personal trainer, writer and competitive bodybuilders based in UAE. I will credit myself for polishing it though (but very mildly).

BTW, I've got in contact with Shady, which gave me permission to post it here.


In this article I will discuss the most important blood tests for any person who used, planning to use, or using at the moment steroids.
steroids as we know have many negative effect on ones health, and have potential risks, by understanding what's happening in your body and what effect it have, you will be able to minimize the risk to the minimum, and will have the chance to do any necessary adjustment depending on the results.
I know many bodybuilders who rarely do tests, if ever, and I really recommend that each bodybuilder would at least do these tests at least once a year.

There are three types of tests needed, one pre cycle, on cycle and post cycle, we will discuss each and then explain about the tests:

The pre cycle Tests- Baseline necessary tests:
Hormones (steroids)
Lipids (standard full Set)
Full Liver Panel
Blood
Kidney
Electrolytes, Mineral and Glucose
Prostate


These tests are done prior to taking any steroids.
It should be taken to give a baseline for our natural body levels, so we can check later how it will get affected by the use of steroids and to make sure it gets back to these normal ranges after coming off.
Its also used to see if there is any underlying potential health condition that can be worsened with steroids. For example if you have high lipids or liver enzymes profile, then its not smart at all to start the use of steroids, as it will cause this condition to increase and may develop potential health risks.
So you have to make sure that everything is in the normal range, and you have no problems, then the decision of starting to take steroids can be thought off.

The on cycle Tests - Tests needed during the use of steroids
Lipids (standard full Set)
Liver Panel (especial with hepatotoxic)
Blood
Kidney
Electrolytes, Mineral and Glucose


This is best done after 3-4 weeks from starting steroids use. Here we want to compare the results with the baseline ones we did pre cycle. If the body is too affected to a very dangerous rate, then steroids intake should be stopped and post cycle or necessary treatment should be used.

The post Cycle Tests - Tests needed after the use of steroids
Hormones (steroids, LH/FSH)
Lipids (Standard Full Set)
Liver Panel (especial with hepatotoxic)
Blood
Electrolytes, Mineral and Glucose
Prostate


The most important thing here is to look at the male hormones, and to make sure that the value are some what close to pre cycle levels, its shouldn't be the same, but as close as it can. Liver enzymes should also be lowering and closing to the baseline ones.
Now we will take a look at each Test by category and explain important things.

Hormone Tests

Steroid (male)
Test NameReference Range
Total Testosterone241-827 ng/dl
Free Testosterone8.7-25.1 pg/ml
Estradiol10-53 pg/ml

LH/FSH (male)
LH2.5-9.8 IU/L
FSH1.2-5.0 IU/L

Thyroid
TSH.35-5.5 uIU/mL
Thyroxine4.5-12.0 ug/dL
T3 Uptake24-39 %
Free thyroxine index1.2-4.9

Steroids:
This test is used by physician to indentify androgen level of the person and see if they need therapy. One should make sure if they have upper high testosterone level results on the baseline tests to have also upper high levels in the post steroids tests, being in the normal range is not enough, tests after post cycle therapy should have the results similar to pre cycle ones.
Estradiol is the active form of estrogen in the body, its most important to check it during the intake of steroids, high level may be associated with estrogen side effect (ex. water retention, fat retention and Gynecomastia), this provide a good clue of how much anti estrogen you need to be taken.

Luteinizing hormones (LH) and Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) panel:
Both of these hormones are responsible for stimulating testosterone production in the tests as well as spermatogenesis.
You should worry much if these values are down during the steroids intake; it's a normal effect from steroids use. In post cycle results its good to check LH/FSH with testosterone levels, if high LH/FSH and low testosterone levels presents, this is probably means that your testes haven't return to their previous size and need more time and PCT.

Thyroid:
Baseline results are the most important for thyroids, steroids may elevate thyroids levels slightly during the use, but it's very unlikely to have permanent levels. If thyroids levels remains high after the cycle and doesn't show any decline, one might need to check if there is any problems with a physician.

Lipids (cardiovascular) tests

Lipids Standard Full Set

Test NameReference Range
Triglucerides0-149 mg/dL
Total Cholesterol100-199 mg/dL
HDL Cholesterol>40 mg/dL
VLDL Cholesterol5-40 mg/dL
LDL Cholsterol<100 mg/dL
LDL/HDL Ratio<3.6

LDL/HDL Ratio Risk Assessment

MenWomen
1/2 Average Risk1.01.5
Average Risk3.6
3.2
2 X Average Risk6.35.0
3 x Average Risk8.06.1

Additonal Testing
C-reactive Protein <5 mg/dL
Homocysteine (0-30years)4.6-8.1 umol/L
Men (30-59)6.3-11.2 umol/L
Women (30-59)4.5-7.9 umol/L
>59 years5.8-11.9 umol/L

Apo Ratio Testing
ApolipoproteinMenWomen
apoB/apoA-I Ratio<.9<.8

Apo Ratio Risk AssessmentMenWomen
Low Risk<.7<.6
Average Risk0.7-0.90.6-0.8
High Risk>0.9>0.8

This is regarded one of the most important steroid related tests.
It's well known that Anabolic/androgenic hormones have negative effect on lipids, which increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
One should monitor the results of this tests, sometimes cycles after cycle levels will be slowly rising, most cardiovascular disease take a long time to develop, so one should be careful to stay in a healthy range all time.


Standard Full Set:
The most important in this test is the LDL/HDL ratio, as it reflects the on going balance between the plaque deposition (LDL) and the removal of good (HDL) in the arteries. It's used to assess heart risk, especially with people that have elevated cholesterol levels.

Additional Testing:
C-reactive protein and homocysteine are both important additional markers in cardiovascular health examination.
-C-reactive protein is a key indicator of inflammation in the body.
-Homocysteine is involved with LDL cholesterol oxidation and blood clotting.

Liver function tests

Test NameReference Range
Albumin3.5-5.5 g/dL
Globulin1.5-4.5 g/dL
Total Protein6.0-8.5 g/dL
Bilirubin0.1-1.2 mg/dL
GGT (Gamma GT)<50 IU/L
ALP (Alkaline Phospatase)25-150 IU/L
AST (SGOT)0-40 IU/L
ALT (SGPT)O-55 IU/L

Of course as we know, many steroids especially 17AA and oral ones, put lots of strain on the liver.
Liver enzymes ALT Alanine aminotransferase and AST Aspartate aminotransferase are the most important factors that show how much stress is on the liver.
Both indicators are mostly elevated with steroids users. However there have been cases where there values weren't that high even with liver damage, this calls for additional tests for other indicators.

ALP Alkaline phosphatase and GGT gammaglutamyltranspeptidase are both cholestatic enzymes, which means they stop the flow of bile (bile is the greenish fluid that aids digestions and produced in the liver).
Elevated results with these indicators indicate bile duct obstruction (intehepatic cholestasis), which means the liver can no longer properly metabolize and transport bile. This means there is a serious steroids induced liver toxicity.

One should always take liver support with oral steroids, and if the results show concern, then one should discontinue the offending steroids.

Muscles enzymes tests

Creatine Kinase38-174 u/L

Creatine kinase enzyme CK is used as a marker for muscles damage, kidney damage, and heart damage.
Elevated level can be found with exercise with high intensity and endurance as well, and sometimes it's mistaken for potential heart and kidney risks, its better to take this test after some rest from a very hard intense exercise for better results. High level should be checked for more details, as it may reflect kidney and heart damage.

Blood tests

Test NameReference Range
WBC4-11 K/MCL
RBC81-103 FL
Platelet count130-400 K/MCL
Hemoglobin13-17 g/dL
Hematocrit40.7-50.3 (men) %
36.1-44.3 (women) %

This is a very common test; you probably all have undergone this test. It can reflect a good view of overall health.
During the steroids intake, and due to their effect on eythropoiesis, red blood cell count, hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration tend to increase. This have positive effect on aerobic capacity as oxygen carrying is more, but the increase in red blood cells cause an increase in the thickness of the blood and elevated hematocrit, which increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Kidney tests

Test NameReference Range
Uric acid3.0-7.0 mg/dL
Creatinine.5-1.5 mg/dL
BUN5-26 mg/dL
BUN/creatinine ratio8-27

Here the three primary waste products that is filtered and excreted through the kidney are measured. And bad results may indicate serious kidney problem and farther tests would be needed.
As some results may not indicate real risk, for example high protein intake elevate the blood urea nitrogen, and as bodybuilders we all consume high protein intake, so the result shouldn't scare us much, unless its very elevated accompanied by other indicators.

Electrolytes, Minerals, and Glucose tests

Test NameReference Range
Sodium136-146 mEq/L
Potassium3.6-5.2 mEq/L
Chloride98-109 mEq/L
Bicarbonate (carbon dioxide)21-30 mEq/L
Phosphorous2.5-4.5 mg/dL
Calcium8.5-10.5 mg/dL
Iron35-185 mcg/dL
Glucose (fasting)70-110 mg/dL

If there is a problem with fluid and electrolyte balance, it will be shows by this test, although it may be because something simple as sodium or potassium imbalance, it also may reflect something more serious such as kidney disease.
Glucose level is good to know many health conditions such as metabolic syndromes, diabetes, pancreatic disease, liver disease or kidney failure.

Prostate tests

PSA, serum0.0-4.0 ng/mL

PSA Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by cells in prostate gland. Elevated levels indicate cases of benign prostate hypertrophy or prostate cancer.
Steroids may cause some hypertrophy of the prostate, and if existing problem with the prostate exists.

That's about the importance of different tests to be taken with steroids use, I know its sometimes not practical, as they may cost allot, but one should always consider and remember, that being ill and getting therapy cost more financially on the long run then doing the tests.
 
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Popeye

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Good write up.

I would suggest hormone tests included during cycle too, tho.

Possible Sticky material
 
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Mythos

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This answered so many of my questions, thank you.
 

Cobra Strike

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See in my eyes there is no reason to get a lipid test and pay extra for it. You know during cycle your hdl is going to be tanked and your ldl is going to be high. Your lipids are fukd and even Zocor cant help you. But there is a positive side to this...lipid blood tests cannot be used to diagnose any type of cardio vascular disease. They are simply a marker. Just because your lipids are jacked doesn't mean you are developing arteriosclerosis. You could have a great cardio vascular system with shit lipids. Ive gotten so many lipid tests and they are all the same when on a cycle and take everything possible to increase the hdl and it wont even touch it. I do not get lipid tests anymore.
 

thqmas

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We don't pay here for any kind of blood tests, and we can do as many as we want, all year.

I think that the problem here is that the results of a shitty lipid profile takes years to build up, and in that time, we don't really feel anything.
High E2 - You can feel bad in a couple of days, Low test as well, so we think it's more important than other aspects that are not pronounced immediately.

There is plenty of evidence to suggest that heart disease doesn't happen in a few years, it is most often though to be the result of a slow build up of aterial plaque over many many years.

But then again, I don't do lipid test as cobra said. I know they are all ****ed. Knowing the numbers won't change a thing.
 

Cobra Strike

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We don't pay here for any kind of blood tests, and we can do as many as we want, all year.

I think that the problem here is that the results of a shitty lipid profile takes years to build up, and in that time, we don't really feel anything.
High E2 - You can feel bad in a couple of days, Low test as well, so we think it's more important than other aspects that are not pronounced immediately.

There is plenty of evidence to suggest that heart disease doesn't happen in a few years, it is most often though to be the result of a slow build up of aterial plaque over many many years.

But then again, I don't do lipid test as cobra said. I know they are all ****ed. Knowing the numbers won't change a thing.

Your right it definitely takes time to build when it comes to cardiovascular disease. Diet plays a huge part in this as well. A guy on gear that doesn't eat clean or get proper nutrition is IMO a much higher risk but if you eat clean all the time than you have a much better chance at a healthier system with tanked lipids.
 
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Nice write up. Def checked after cycles. I told my dr i used androgens before to get tests. wonder if that was a mistake to tell him?
 
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Another great article on this site. Good read for anyone at any level.
 

Thezilla

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See in my eyes there is no reason to get a lipid test and pay extra for it. You know during cycle your hdl is going to be tanked and your ldl is going to be high. Your lipids are fukd and even Zocor cant help you. But there is a positive side to this...lipid blood tests cannot be used to diagnose any type of cardio vascular disease. They are simply a marker. Just because your lipids are jacked doesn't mean you are developing arteriosclerosis. You could have a great cardio vascular system with shit lipids. Ive gotten so many lipid tests and they are all the same when on a cycle and take everything possible to increase the hdl and it wont even touch it. I do not get lipid tests anymore.



I will second this. I got lipids done not to long ago while I was not on cycle and my ldl was 146. On (trt) I totally freaked out and thought I was dying. (Jk) my doctor explained to me that there is two types of ldl a small and a large. He told me guys of my size are going to have a higher ldl and that's just no way around it. He actually did two test right on the spot to prove to me he was right he did some kind of ultra sound on my heart and arteries in my neck and everything was perfectly normal. What was a scare for me turned out to be a perfectly normal situation.
 

Merlin

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Great post and information is accurate. Thanks!
 

ComeBacKid85

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Very thorough. Definitely need to start getting these test done. Thanks for the info. Great stuff.
 

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