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I collected some information about blood test from other board, you can have a look if any interest.
How do you do a blood test?
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 Name Reference Range
Total Testosterone 241-827 ng/dl
Free Testosterone 8.7-25.1 pg/ml
Estradiol 10-53 pg/ml
LH/FSH (male)
LH 2.5-9.8 IU/L
FSH 1.2-5.0 IU/L
Thyroid
TSH .35-5.5 uIU/mL
Thyroxine 4.5-12.0 ug/dL
T3 Uptake 24-39 %
Free thyroxine index 1.2-4.9
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 Name Reference Range
Triglucerides 0-149 mg/dL
Total Cholesterol 100-199 mg/dL
HDL Cholesterol >40 mg/dL
VLDL Cholesterol 5-40 mg/dL
LDL Cholsterol <100 mg/dL
LDL/HDL Ratio <3.6
LDL/HDL Ratio Risk Assessment
Men Women
1/2 Average Risk 1.0 1.5
Average Risk 3.6 3.2
2 X Average Risk 6.3 5.0
3 x Average Risk 8.0 6.1
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
Apolipoprotein Men Women
apoB/apoA-I Ratio <.9 <.8
Apo Ratio Risk Assessment Men Women
Low Risk <.7 <.6
Average Risk 0.7-0.9 0.6-0.8
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 Name Reference Range
Albumin 3.5-5.5 g/dL
Globulin 1.5-4.5 g/dL
Total Protein 6.0-8.5 g/dL
Bilirubin 0.1-1.2 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 Kinase 38-174 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 Name Reference Range
WBC 4-11 K/MCL
RBC 81-103 FL
Platelet count 130-400 K/MCL
Hemoglobin 13-17 g/dL
Hematocrit 40.7-50.3 (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 Name Reference Range
Uric acid 3.0-7.0 mg/dL
Creatinine .5-1.5 mg/dL
BUN 5-26 mg/dL
BUN/creatinine ratio 8-27
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 Name Reference Range
Sodium 136-146 mEq/L
Potassium 3.6-5.2 mEq/L
Chloride 98-109 mEq/L
Bicarbonate (carbon dioxide) 21-30 mEq/L
Phosphorous 2.5-4.5 mg/dL
Calcium 8.5-10.5 mg/dL
Iron 35-185 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, serum 0.0-4.0 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.
How do you do a blood test?
- The most common way to do so is requesting blood work from your doctor, give him a list of things you want to get done, and he will send you to the lab.
- Another way to do blood work is ordering it online, where you independently pay for what you want done, and then take the forms to the lab.
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 Name Reference Range
Total Testosterone 241-827 ng/dl
Free Testosterone 8.7-25.1 pg/ml
Estradiol 10-53 pg/ml
LH/FSH (male)
LH 2.5-9.8 IU/L
FSH 1.2-5.0 IU/L
Thyroid
TSH .35-5.5 uIU/mL
Thyroxine 4.5-12.0 ug/dL
T3 Uptake 24-39 %
Free thyroxine index 1.2-4.9
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 Name Reference Range
Triglucerides 0-149 mg/dL
Total Cholesterol 100-199 mg/dL
HDL Cholesterol >40 mg/dL
VLDL Cholesterol 5-40 mg/dL
LDL Cholsterol <100 mg/dL
LDL/HDL Ratio <3.6
LDL/HDL Ratio Risk Assessment
Men Women
1/2 Average Risk 1.0 1.5
Average Risk 3.6 3.2
2 X Average Risk 6.3 5.0
3 x Average Risk 8.0 6.1
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
Apo Ratio Testing
Apolipoprotein Men Women
apoB/apoA-I Ratio <.9 <.8
Apo Ratio Risk Assessment Men Women
Low Risk <.7 <.6
Average Risk 0.7-0.9 0.6-0.8
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 Name Reference Range
Albumin 3.5-5.5 g/dL
Globulin 1.5-4.5 g/dL
Total Protein 6.0-8.5 g/dL
Bilirubin 0.1-1.2 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 Kinase 38-174 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 Name Reference Range
WBC 4-11 K/MCL
RBC 81-103 FL
Platelet count 130-400 K/MCL
Hemoglobin 13-17 g/dL
Hematocrit 40.7-50.3 (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 Name Reference Range
Uric acid 3.0-7.0 mg/dL
Creatinine .5-1.5 mg/dL
BUN 5-26 mg/dL
BUN/creatinine ratio 8-27
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 Name Reference Range
Sodium 136-146 mEq/L
Potassium 3.6-5.2 mEq/L
Chloride 98-109 mEq/L
Bicarbonate (carbon dioxide) 21-30 mEq/L
Phosphorous 2.5-4.5 mg/dL
Calcium 8.5-10.5 mg/dL
Iron 35-185 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, serum 0.0-4.0 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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