TRT MALE Hormone/Wellness Follow Up Panel

This panel includes main blood test variables monitored by many clinics that treat men with low testosterone.  This panel is for men who are already on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and who want to monitor their main blood tests.

 The panel includes:

 - Total and free testosterone (LC/MS assay.  No upper limit restriction)

- Sex hormone-binding globulin

- Estradiol (ultrasensitive- LC/MS assay)

- CBC (includes hematocrit, and immune cells)

- CMP (includes glucose, liver and kidney function). Fasting is required.

- Lipids (LDL and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides)

You can add DHEA, TSH, Free T3, free T4 , DHT and Prolactin for a more comprehensive picture of your hormonal health.

This comprehensive and complex panel is designed especially for men undergoing testosterone therapy replacement to assess the progress of the medication recommended.

This panel is one of the most cost-effective and exhaustive choices, and it comprises tests like

• Testosterone, Free, Equilibrium Ultrafiltration With Total Testosterone, LC/MS
• Sensitive Estradiol
• Sex hormone-binding globulin
• CBC (glucose, hematocrit, and immune cells)
• CMP-tests to evaluate liver and kidney function, eGFR
• Lipids check up-LDL and HDL cholesterol and triglycerides

This panel will save lots of time and money and bring the most value to your health overall.

Testosterone, Free, Equilibrium Ultrafiltration With Total Testosterone, LC/MS

Testosterone is the primary male hormone, helping develop all masculine features. It is mainly produced in testicles.

For women, testosterone is not a definitory hormone even though it is produced in the ovaries. Some women may have higher levels, which may create several undesired consequences in the long run.

This test package is a complex and powerful form of information for men, especially those who happen to suffer from thyroid disorders, obesity, or cirrhosis.

The result of the tests may show how the binding proteins of the testosterone are disrupted and also evaluate the testicular condition.

Testosterone tests are mainly ordered for men who either use the testosterone substitution therapy already and want to keep up with the progress or for men who experience symptoms like infertility, decrease in muscle mass, impotence, and loss of libido.

It is also a helpful test for women if symptoms like hair loss, irregular menstruations, excessive body and facial hair, and infertility appear. If testosterone levels are higher than normal, conditions like virilization or hirsutism may indicate.

Usually, the total testosterone is mostly bound to the SHBG hormone and a smaller fraction to the albumin. Free testosterone, about 2% of total testosterone,  is found in low concentrations throughout the body, and it is the part left unlinked to SHBG  proteins or albumin.

Usual testosterone tests are not specific enough to identify the free testosterone levels. Hence, it is used a procedure called equilibrium ultrafiltration

Equilibrium ultrafiltration is achieved through adding tritiated testosterone to the sample analyzed and going through a process of stabilization.

After this stabilization, the free testosterone from the sample is separated through centrifugal ultrafiltration. The percentage of free testosterone from the sample is then used to calculate the free testosterone

The Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG Test)

The sex hormone-binding globulin is an important protein for both men and women. It is known to have a strong link to three hormones: testosterone, estradiol, and dihydrotestosterone.

This protein is produced by the liver and carries these hormones throughout the body and distributes them in their place.

Testosterone is an essential hormone associated with this protein, and this is why they are commonly tested together. Usually, the test is ordered when men and women have abnormal levels.

Ultra-Sensitive Estradiol LC/MS Assay

Estradiol is the most biologically active of all estrogens. It plays a crucial role in increasing the volume of the endometrium, the vagina, and the mammary glands. It has also been linked to stronger bones in men and women and plays a role in regulating fat cells and libido in both genders.

Estradiol is produced in the ovaries, testicles, and cortex of the adrenal glands. More than 95% of estradiol is bound to SHBG, the sex hormone-binding globulin.

Estradiol contributes to bone health, body distribution, sex drive, and cognitive functions.

In men, estradiol is produced by the testicles and adrenal glands. Its high values ​​are recorded in the case of alcohol, marijuana, and various drug treatments.

A new measurement based on the liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) technology was developed to evaluate estradiol levels correctly. Unlike the old immunoassay method of measuring estradiol, LC/MS has no interference from inflammatory markers like CRP.

Most practitioners consider this to be the most valuable measurement as it does not interfere with other steroids that may disrupt the result.

Also, this technology has a higher sensitivity and a broad range which helps diagnose correctly and evaluate conditions like gynecomastia in men or bone loss density.

What Does a CBC Panel Include?

The CBC provides important information about the hematologic system and other organ systems. The blood count consists of the automatic measurement of the following parameters:

• Glucose
• Hematocrit
• Immune cells -phagocytes and lymphocytes

Glucose, also known as blood sugar, is one of the fuels of our organisms. Glucose can be extracted from foods, especially carbohydrates like bread, vegetables, fruits, and fermented products like dairies.

Right after we ingest carbohydrates, they split into several sugar types: glucose, which is a monounsaturated one.

Once decomposed, it is absorbed by the small intestine and carried towards cells so it can finally produce energy. Glucose is often associated with the hormone called insulin, as the latter secures the glucose in cells.

Your doctor may ask you to do this test to diagnose or monitor diabetes, evaluate cases of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, liver disorders, pancreatic cancer, or evaluate an excess weight.

Hematocrit is generally defined as the percentage of erythrocytes in the blood volume. It is one of the important hematological parameters that help diagnose certain diseases.

Hematocrit measures the volume of red blood cells compared to the total volume of blood (i.e., red blood cells and plasma).

The normal value of hematocrit in men is between 40 and 54%. For women, the value is between 36 and 48% (sometimes between 37% and 47%). This value can be determined directly by centrifugation of the hematocrit, or it can be calculated indirectly.

The hematocrit test is part of the complete blood count. It measures the proportion of erythrocytes in a patient's blood and can help the doctor diagnose or monitor the patient's response to treatment.

High hematocrit may arise in case of dehydration, heart disorders, poisoning with carbon monoxide, or testosterone use. On the contrary, low levels may indicate thyroid dysfunction, vitamin deficiencies, and bleeding.

Immune cells are also known as white blood cells, and even if they are found in small quantities in the body, their role is massive. As they are also called, Leukocytes are stored in the lymph system, more precisely in the thymus, bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen. They protect the organism from viruses and bacteria.

The leukocytes are categorized in two main ways according to their role

• Phagocytes (neutrophils, macrophages, monocytes, and mast cells)
• Lymphocytes (B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes)

The primary role of phagocytes is to help in the healing process, put a shield against bacteria, contribute to the renewal of the skin, and defend the body against different pathogens, while lymphocytes have a memorizing role.

They retain information from previous attacks and prepare for a comeback by producing antibodies and destroying cells that cannot recover.

The immune system is our ally in battling different viruses, bacteria, or pathogens. Keeping these little fighters healthy can keep us away from many conditions.

Your doctor may recommend this test to assess your overall health and diagnose disorders like diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus.

What does a CMP Test Include?

This panel is complex and may indicate a series of irregularities mostly related to the kidney and liver. It measures their performance alongside glucose levels, electrolytes, and fluids.

All these are essential for our body, each having its specific role in creating an equilibrium in our organism.

Your practitioner may order this panel as a yearly routine or as a method to clarify certain suspicions related to diabetes, hypertension, etc.

The panel comprises 14 elements to be analyzed:

• Albumin
• Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
• Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
• Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)
• Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
• Calcium
• Carbon Dioxide (Bicarbonate)
• Chloride
• Creatinine
• Glucose
• Potassium
• Sodium
• Total Bilirubin
• Total Protein

What does a Lipid Profile Include?

This package includes the necessary analysis to draw a lipid profile and evaluate risks for cardiovascular disease.

Fasting is required to perform these tests so the results can be more accurate, the time needed for fasting is usually determined by your practitioner, but usually, 12h before the test is enough.

LDL stands for low-density lipoproteins; this is also known as bad cholesterol because they may clog your arterial walls with an extra deposit of cholesterol, causing atherosclerosis. This happens as the blood flow cannot get through the arteries. Being untreated may lead to serious health issues like a stroke, heart attack, or, worst-case scenario, death.

HDL stands for density lipoproteins, which is known as the good cholesterol, contrary to LDL. The HDL travels through the body until it gets to the liver, where it starts to be eliminated.

Triglycerides are fats (lipids) that move in the blood and can be stored in the body's tissues. If you have to do anything about triglycerides, it depends on how big they are.

When you consume more calories than you need, the body forms triglycerides and stores them in fat cells.

This type of lipid can be metabolized later to create energy. High-fat foods increase triglycerides, but sugar and alcohol have more substantial effects. Elevated levels may lead to a risk of heart disease and stroke.

Order Your Discounted Lab Test Now

If you are looking for a comprehensive panel that includes some of the most important tests for TRT and want to save time and money, this may be your best guess.

There are some other valuable, more specific tests that you can add for a more complex panel to this panel. DHT, DHEA, TSH, Free T3, free T4, and Prolactin. For this and more hormone-related panels, access DiscountedLabs.com and choose what is best for you at a fair price.

Here are two other panels that include additional tests:

Elite Male Blood Test Panel

Comprehensive Male Hormone Panel II

HOW DOES DISCOUNTEDLABS.COM WORK?

1- Go to the "Find a Location" page to find the closest Quest location. 

2- Go to "Choose a Test" and add your selection (s) in the shopping cart.

3- If you have a discount coupon code, add it to your cart.

4- Pay using a credit card.

5- You will receive an order confirmation email followed by an email containing an attached lab request form (PDF file- You need PDF Reader) 

6- Print lab request form attached to the lab request form email (PDF file).

7- Take that form to the closest lab with a picture ID. Get your blood drawn. No lab fee is required.

8- Your results will available by email within 5-7 business days (depending on the test and not including weekends or holidays).

FREE BONUS: EBook: Beyond Testosterone

Suggested Reading: Testosterone Replacement Blood Test Targets