Bodybuilder Tests

This panel provides smart bodybuilders with information that can help minimize potential short and long-term side effects and risks. This basic bodybuilder panel includes the following gold standard tests/panels: Cystatin C (The only accurate kidney function test for bodybuilders), hematocrit (blood viscosity factor), CMP (glucose, liver & kidney function, and electrolytes), total and free testosterone (LC/MS assay-no upper limit and no interference with anabolics), ultra-sensitive estradiol (The only accurate estradiol test for men), & lipid cholesterol panel. Fasting is required.

Bodybuilders using testosterone and anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) have to be smart about maximizing benefits and minimizing short and long term side effects while exercising and eating effectively for proper muscle gain, fat loss, and quality of life.  Harm reduction is key especially in the presence of barriers to care caused by stigma and judgement from medical practitioners. Here is a list of 14 carefully selected lab tests and panels that are essential in maintaining proper health while improving body composition and strength: Hematocrit, Lipid panel (LDL, HDL, triglycerides), Cystatin C kidney test, eGFR kidney test, GGT liver test, Total Testosterone (LC/MS), Free Testosterone (Equilibrium Ultrafiltration), Ultrasensitive Estradiol, Prolactin, DHT test (LC/MS), IGF-1 test (LC/MS), and ferritin. Fasting is required.

The most economical lab test panel with 4 tests for men on TRT:

1. Total Testosterone, Liquid Chromatography/ Mass Spectrometry
2. Free Testosterone, Equilibrium Dialysis
3. Ultrasensitive Estradiol, Liquid Chromatography/ Mass Spectrometry
4. Hematocrit

Hematocrit or hct blood test  is the volume measurement, i.e., the percentage of blood that is taken up by the red blood cells. Hemoglobin, on the other hand, is a density or concentration measurement and is expressed in grams per liter or deciliter. (Hemoglobin is, if you will recall from your high school biology, the iron-based protein that transports oxygen.) RBC is a simple count and is usually expressed as the number of million red blood cells that you have per microliter. Usually, hematocrit is three times the amount of hemoglobin.

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) increases hematocrit in most men.  Read more about how to decrease hematocrit.

NOTE: Hematocrit is also part of the CBC panel, so no need to order separately if your order already includes CBC.

This ultrasensitive estradiol test is based on liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS), an assay technology that has been shown to more accurately measure estradiol in men and women than the old immunoassay-based test. 

Important note:  The blood sample is sent out to Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute San Juan Capistrano, Caifornia.  Overnight delivery and testing is performed on Sunday and Friday.  Reports are available within 5-7 business days from the time the specimen is collected.

This blood donation panel includes these tests: Hematocrit, iron & total iron binding capacity (TIBC), and ferritin.This panel is designed to determine if: 1- Your blood donation or therapeutic phlebotomy was effective in lowering your high hematocrit without negatively affecting ferritin or iron. 2- It is safe to do another blood donation or therapeutic phlebotomy depending on ferritin or iron levels.

This panel contains testosterone and its downstream metabolites: Estradiol and DHT. All three hormones are measured using Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS), the most accurate assay for hormones. No interactions with supplements like biotin are present.

This hormone panel for men on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) contains upstream and downstream hormones to testosterone.  TRT has been shown to decrease upstream hormones like pregnenolone and progesterone, and slightly decrease DHEA. Downstream hormone metabolites like ultrasensitive estradiol and DHT are also included.  Lastly, prolactin is added since high prolactin can decrease sexual function.  No LH and FSH were included since TRT shuts them down.

This economical lab test panel includes: Testosterone, Free, Bioavailable and Total, Sex Hormone Binding Globulin -SHBG, Males, Immunoassay (Total Testosterone Lower Limit: 250 ng/dL & Upper Limit 1,500 ng/dL ), Complete Blood Count (CBC panel) Including hematocrit, PSA and Ultrasensitive Estradiol

This is the most cost effective testosterone test panel that takes the least amount of time to perform and that includes 5 important tests: 1- Total testosterone, 2- Calculated free testosterone, 3- Bioavailable (unbound) testosterone, 4- Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and albumin. Testosterone upper limit under 1,500 ng/dL (ECLIA, immunoassay). It is accurate for most men using or not using TRT . For men expecting very high testosterone blood levels over 1,500 ng/dL or low total T below 250 ng/dL, the LC/MS testosterone test is more appropiate but it takes a few more days to perform.

The most complete of all blood test panels for men that include: Total and Free Testosterone, Ultra Sensitive Estradiol, IGF-1, Prolactin, DHT, DHEA-S, PSA, SHBG, Lipids, CBC, CMP, and Thyroid Function.

A single fasting growth hormone (GH) level is of limited value. The secretion of GH is episodic and pulsatile. GH has a half-life of 20 to 25 minutes. Testing for growth hormone deficiency or excess is best done as part of a dynamic test involving specific stimuli (see the online Endocrine Appendices: Growth Hormone Stimulation and Growth Hormone Suppression). Insulin-like growth factor-1 can also be useful in assessing growth hormone status.

Renin is also called angiotensinogenase; it’s an enzyme produced by the kidneys to control aldosterone production. It’s also essential in the renin–angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) which maintains your body’s fluid balance and blood pressure. Aldosterone is the primary of several endogenous members of the class of mineralocorticoids in humans. Aldosterone tends to promote Na+ and water retention, and lower plasma K+ concentration.

The cystatin C test (which also includes estimated creatinine clearance eGFR) can be done along with creatinine or creatinine clearance test in cases where those tests aren’t appropriate, such as patients taking creatine supplements for bodybuilding. These supplements can increase creatinine and decrease creatinine clearance, which can alarm doctors who fear kidney dysfunction.  This creatinine increase is not clinically relevant but running a Cystatin C test can give physicians reassurance and allow the patient to keep taking that effective bodybuilding supplement. 

ED Panel Includes Main Hormones Involved with Erectile Function: Prolactin, Total and Free Testosterone, Sensitive Estradiol, DHT, TSH, Free T3 and Free T4.

This PCT after cycle panel is designed to measure the health and recovery of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Testicular Axis (HPTA) after attempting to normalize it spontaneously or with the use of Post-Cycle Therapy (PCT) . PCT is prescribed by some physicians for men who stop testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) or other androgens. Fasting is required for CMP (glucose test).

The causes of fatigue are multifactorial and could involve imbalances in several hormones. This panel includes most hormones and variables involved in the diagnosis and treatment of fatigue. Ordering this panel provides substantial cost savings when compared to ordering each test separately. The panel is useful for men and women. TESTS INCLUDED IN THIS PANEL: TOTAL AND FREE TESTOSTERONE, THYROID FUNCTION: TSH, Free T3, Free T4, Thyroid Antibodies, HEMOGLOBIN A1c, Complete Blood Count (CBC) Test (Includes white, red cells and platelets), IRON, TIBC (Total Iron Binding Capacity), FERRITIN, ADRENAL FUNCTION: Cortisol and DHEA-S

Insulin-like Growth Factor 1, also known as IGF-1, is used as a biomarker for blood levels of human growth hormone. It is a hormone produced by the liver and other tissues which affects growth-promoting activities and glucose metabolism. The blood level of IGF-1 appears to fluctuate over 24 hours and is found to be related to growth hormone secretion.