Overwhelmed with choosing blood test..

[Angryshitter]

I'm planning on starting TRT soon. And I would like to get a nice thorough test to establish baseline markers and see where everything is at.
My question is for the OGs is what is everything I should get tested? I think it would be wise to get a solid understand of my baseline hormone levels abd various blood markers before tinkering with my hormones. I'm surprised there isn't a thread here that covers this in depth that is stickied..

So I'm hoping people can chime in on the optimal list of things to get. And is there things you wish you had tested before jumping on?

I know once I jump on ill never know what "baseline" is so I'd like to cover all grounds. But do so strategically

 

[Ghoul]

I'm planning on starting TRT soon. And I would like to get a nice thorough test to establish baseline markers and see where everything is at.
My question is for the OGs is what is everything I should get tested? I think it would be wise to get a solid understand of my baseline hormone levels abd various blood markers before tinkering with my hormones. I'm surprised there isn't a thread here that covers this in depth that is stickied..

So I'm hoping people can chime in on the optimal list of things to get. And is there things you wish you had tested before jumping on?

I know once I jump on ill never know what "baseline" is so I'd like to cover all grounds. But do so strategically

Once again, not advocating for Ulta specifically, just using their catalog as a reference. Get these tests from anywhere that works for you. If you do use Ulta, be sure to grab the 20% code they offer via a popup on their site (there’s always a 20% code for them somewhere):

It may seem pricey for an all of them together, but it’s a near certainty there’s not a marker here you’ll regret getting at some point.

The basics:

Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) Plus Panel

The Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) Plus Panel panel contains 5 tests with 61 biomarkers.

www.ultalabtests.com

The #1 “wish I got a baseline” marker most regret not getting. TRT will alter it, and many going on to growth hormone do so without checking this. Even if you have no plans to try GH, keep your options open and get this:

IGF-1 Test

The IGF-1 Test checks growth factor levels, providing insight into growth disorders, hormone balance, pituitary health, aging, and overall metabolic function.

www.ultalabtests.com

The other, under-appreciated “major impact on quality of life hormones” you may find yourself self managing. It won’t be the same after initiating TRT.

STTM 2.2 Thyroid Baseline

The STTM 2.2 Thyroid Baseline panel contains 4 tests with 5 biomarkers.

www.ultalabtests.com

If you find yourself needing to manage hair loss, which TRT can trigger or worsen, this rarely tested biomarker is a valuable baseline for “feeling normal” if you end up on hair preservation meds like Finasteride or Dutasteride. Individual DHT “good mood” level varies widely. If driven too low, it’ll lead to malaise and depression. Knowing where it needs to be to “feel normal” will allow you to tweak the dose to preserve your hair while preserving your sanity.

Hair Loss Test (DHT)

The Hair Loss Test (DHT) Quest lab test contains 1 test with 1 biomarker.

www.ultalabtests.com

 

[Angryshitter]

Once again, not advocating for Ulta specifically, just using their catalog as a reference. Get these tests from anywhere that works for you. If you do use Ulta, be sure to grab the 20% code they offer via a popup on their site (there’s always a 20% code for them somewhere):

It may seem pricey for an all of them together, but it’s a near certainty there’s not a marker here you’ll regret getting at some point.

The basics:

Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) Plus Panel

The Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) Plus Panel panel contains 5 tests with 61 biomarkers.

www.ultalabtests.com

The #1 “wish I got a baseline” marker most regret not getting. TRT will alter it, and many going on to growth hormone do so without checking this. Even if you have no plans to try GH, keep your options open and get this:

IGF-1 Test

The IGF-1 Test checks growth factor levels, providing insight into growth disorders, hormone balance, pituitary health, aging, and overall metabolic function.

www.ultalabtests.com

The other, under-appreciated “major impact on quality of life hormones” you may find yourself self managing. It won’t be the same after initiating TRT.

STTM 2.2 Thyroid Baseline

The STTM 2.2 Thyroid Baseline panel contains 4 tests with 5 biomarkers.

www.ultalabtests.com

If you find yourself needing to manage hair loss, which TRT can trigger or worsen, this rarely tested biomarker is a valuable baseline for “feeling normal” if you end up on hair preservation meds like Finasteride or Dutasteride. Individual DHT “good mood” level varies widely. If driven too low, it’ll lead to malaise and depression. Knowing where it needs to be to “feel normal” will allow you to tweak the dose to preserve your hair while preserving your sanity.

Hair Loss Test (DHT)

The Hair Loss Test (DHT) Quest lab test contains 1 test with 1 biomarker.

www.ultalabtests.com

I actually have not yet looked into ulta labs thank you for this!
I've normally always gotten the compressive panel at Marek health it covers alot of the markers other panels don't. It used to be $400 but this year I see they cranked the price up to $500 and I just can't bring myself to pull the trigger. I'll definitely compare these two and see how it stacks up.
Only thing I noticed so far is it dosnt say if the testosterone testing is the basic or it is (LC/MS) which I thought was very important for accuracy? Same with Estradiol? It appears to be standard? I thought that was no Bueno?

 

[Ghoul]

I actually have not yet looked into ulta labs thank you for this!
I've normally always gotten the compressive panel at Marek health it covers alot of the markers other panels don't. It used to be $400 but this year I see they cranked the price up to $500 and I just can't bring myself to pull the trigger. I'll definitely compare these two and see how it stacks up.
Only thing I noticed so far is it dosnt say if the testosterone testing is the basic or it is (LC/MS) which I thought was very important for accuracy? Same with Estradiol? It appears to be standard? I thought that was no Bueno?

Sensitive is only needed once you’re on exogenous hormones, especially if using an aromatase inhibitor.

That’s because the standard test is inaccurate at very low levels, below ~25pg, highly unlikely that applies to an otherwise healthy male, and why pre-TRT checks use the standard test routinely.

 

[Ateam2023]

Here is a decent panel to pull , my pcp orders thisfor me twice a year , I monitor everything else throughout the year , throw in a dht and a couple other "personalized tests" but this is a very good picture of everything needed imo

 

[Angryshitter]

Sensitive is only needed once you’re on exogenous hormones, especially if using an aromatase inhibitor.

That’s because the standard test is inaccurate at very low levels, below ~25pg, highly unlikely that applies to an otherwise healthy male, and why pre-TRT checks use the standard test routinely.

Oh wow really? So you're telling me that the standard testing is just as accurate as the (lc/ms) as long as it's within a specific normal range?
Wow this whole time I was banging my head against a wall because every kit I looked at didn't have the (lc/ms) level testing which I thought was super critical to have.

This makes it much easier to go back to the drawing board. Thank you for this!

 

[Ghoul]

Oh wow really? So you're telling me that the standard testing is just as accurate as the (lc/ms) as long as it's within a specific normal range?
Wow this whole time I was banging my head against a wall because every kit I looked at didn't have the (lc/ms) level testing which I thought was super critical to have.

This makes it much easier to go back to the drawing board. Thank you for this!

Typically even follow up TRT, when an AI isn’t involved, use standard testing. Since exogenous T isn’t going to drive e2 down into the region where the sensitive test is needed to an accurate reading.

But on multi-compound cycles or with AI use if you don’t know whether you’ll be ultra low or not it’s standard practice to err on the side of caution and opt for sensitive.

 

[Ateam2023]

Oh wow really? So you're telling me that the standard testing is just as accurate as the (lc/ms) as long as it's within a specific normal range?
Wow this whole time I was banging my head against a wall because every kit I looked at didn't have the (lc/ms) level testing which I thought was super critical to have.

This makes it much easier to go back to the drawing board. Thank you for this!

Well for reference i had both test drawn the same day , regular estrogen test was <30 and e2 ultra sensitive was 13, now that is a big swing , so if you want accurate results , just get the e2 ultra sensitive or e2 sensitive test (depending on lab) why wonder if your e2 is in a proper level , besides low estrogen SUCKS

 

[Angryshitter]

Well for reference i had both test drawn the same day , regular estrogen test was <30 and e2 ultra sensitive was 13, now that is a big swing , so if you want accurate results , just get the e2 ultra sensitive or e2 sensitive test (depending on lab) why wonder if your e2 is in a proper level , besides low estrogen SUCKS

Yeah this is what I've heard. Especially with the estrogen test. Which is why I was shocked to see how it's not standard in bundled bloodwork tests. It drives me nuts to find a great bundle and they have a few things "wrong" that cost an arm and a leg to add individually vs if they just had Included it in the bloodwork bundle to begin with.