Minimum mid cycle tests

[Badsanta]

What would be the minimum mid cycle blood tests? Would it depend on the compounds you are using?
For example: Test only cycle. CBC, CMP, E2 sensitive, and lipids.
Knowing Total T and Free T seems like a curiosity thing, mid cycle. Someone had said hsCRP is a common test.
Adding other tests like prolactin depend on if you were using Deca or Tren or do you throw that in because E2 could be high enough to effect prolactin?

I like knowing things, but I also don't want to spend money when I don't need to.

I'm on TRT (150mg/wk) and have not done a cycle unless you are some of those that consider 150mg/wk TRT+. I plan on Test only as a first cycle but I need to get my lipids squared away which they are not (LDL -139/HDL-33). I would say I'm fat. The fat I have has retreated to my belly and visceral fat. I'm working on that too. Rather not be a fatty that has to use AIs because of it.

I look forward to your thoughts.

 

[Sicsemptyran]

Given your current lipids and the fact that you're saying you're fat, I'd say keep rocking the TRT and get down to ~15% or less BF by DEXA, not a bio scale or InBody which always say you're more fit than you are. Starting a cycle from where you are at is definitely going to be more trouble than it's worth.

To answer your question, hsCRP is a great one to add in. Fasting insulin/A1C to see how insulin sensitivity is holding up. Thyroid is another one, as is PSA given that it's cheap and you never know.

That would cover my "necessary" ones, though I'm sure there are some things I'm missing as well off the top.

Good to haves are things that you would get as follow up tests anyway depending on your results, and therefore can be worthwhile to avoid a longer wait. For example, iron studies are cheap and can be invaluable when you have a CBC reading that is off, GGT can help diagnose liver issues if transaminases are high (which they can be from training), Cystatin C will tell you whether your high creatinine is actually high or just training/muscle turnover/creatine supplementation. And so on.

It also just depends on what baselines you have, like I don't think you need Vitamin D or RBC magnesium as a mid cycle check in, but if you've never gotten those I think you should. I'm sure there are some things I'm missing as well.