Testosterone tests

[Mando]

So besides the total testosterone, what levels should be checked? What tests should be ordered specifically?
My general practitioner just did the total testosterone only. Initially my level was 321. Started out doing 100mg bi-weekly. Then when levels weren't high enough, and I didn't feel any better, I started doing 100mg weekly.

Thanks.

 

[CoastWatcher]

So besides the total testosterone, what levels should be checked? What tests should be ordered specifically?
My general practitioner just did the total testosterone only. Initially my level was 321. Started out doing 100mg bi-weekly. Then when levels weren't high enough, and I didn't feel any better, I started doing 100mg weekly.

Thanks.

Total and free testosterone, SHBG, estradiol/sensitive (LC, MS/MS), DHT, DHEA, CBC, CMP, TSH, ft3, ft4, both thyroid antibody panels, prolactin, and PSA (a must as values can rise for patients on TRT and a baseline is necessary to track the absolute value and rate of rise). LH and FSH should have been run to determine if you were presenting with primary or secondary hypogonadism, but since you're already on TRT it is too late. Exogenous testosterone - always - shuts down the HPTA axis and LH and FSH sink to near zero.

 

[Vince]

Nelson has a nice thread on labs you should get, I would read it over, get proper labs and go from there.

Blood Tests Needed Before and During Testosterone Replacement Therapy

​

https://www.excelmale.com/showthread...cement-Therapy

​

 

[Mando]

So I checked with a lab tech at our hospital. All of the lab tests for testosterone, free T, estradiol, and SHBG are sent out and tested by another lab. This lab just draws the blood.
The technician told me that he saw the test for:
Testosterone/Free T
SHBG
And for estradiol he only saw the regular test and nothing about sensitive. Is the sensitive test only done by certain labs? And is it possible that I would only be able to get the standard estradiol test? Would that test be OK if sensitive not available?

Thanks.

 

[CoastWatcher]

So I checked with a lab tech at our hospital. All of the lab tests for testosterone, free T, estradiol, and SHBG are sent out and tested by another lab. This lab just draws the blood.
The technician told me that he saw the test for:
Testosterone/Free T
SHBG
And for estradiol he only saw the regular test and nothing about sensitive. Is the sensitive test only done by certain labs? And is it possible that I would only be able to get the standard estradiol test? Would that test be OK if sensitive not available?

Thanks.

Here is an excellent description of why men should rely on the sensitive estradiol test. The standard is simply unreliable. You can arrange to have it run on your own if your doctor won't/can't order it.

https://www.discountedlabs.com/estradiol-sensitive-lc-ms-ms

 

[Mando]

Spoke with my primary care physician and scheduled labs for this coming Monday the 5th. I will be having blood drawn for Total testosterone, Free T, SHBG, and sensitive estridiol.

Monday is when I am due to receive my injection of 100mg testosterone cypionate, but I will be doing labs that morning to catch my T levels at their lowest.

Thinking of maybe waiting until Tuesday when I receive my results to have the injection instead of Monday. Or possibly take my 100mg injection Monday and if Dr wants to increase levels then take whatever additional amount on Tuesday.

For the last two labs I have had 607 and the last one 563. But I had my blood drawn the Thursday after my Monday shot, so obviously I wasn't getting my lowest trough day of Monday morning.

So besides the total testosterone, what levels should be checked? What tests should be ordered specifically?
My general practitioner just did the total testosterone only. Initially my level was 321. Started out doing 100mg bi-weekly. Then when levels weren't high enough, and I didn't feel any better, I started doing 100mg weekly.

Thanks.

 

[Mando]

Got my test results back from the blood draw on Feb 5th (trough). Taken prior to my injection that day.
As a reference I am currently taking 100mg Testosterone Cypionate every Monday.

Results are:
Total T: 459.4 (Range 249.0- 836.0 ng/dL)
SHBG 27.3 (Range 16.5 - 55.9 nmmol/L)
Free T 9.90 (Range 4.26 - 16.40 ng/dl)
Estradiol: 25 (Range 10 - 40 pg/mL).
Estrone: 42 (10 - 60 pg/mL)

This is the link to the estradiol lab.

https://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/84230

I am guessing 'estradiol' is the only one I should be concerned with and not Estrone; I will be talking with my doctor later today.



Would like to hear feedback from the forum

Thanks.

 

[Nashtide]

Got my test results back from the blood draw on Feb 5th (trough). Taken prior to my injection that day.
As a reference I am currently taking 100mg Testosterone Cypionate every Monday.

Results are:
Total T: 459.4 (Range 249.0- 836.0 ng/dL
SHBG 27.3 (Range 16.5 - 55.9 nmmol/L
Free T 9.90 (Range 4.26 - 16.40 ng/dl)
Estradiol Sensitive: Still awaiting results.

Would like to hear feedback from the forum and I will post Estradiol results when I get them.

Thanks.

If you injected 50mg E3.5D I bet your TT and FT would be higher at trough.

 

[Re-Ride]

100 mg cyp every other week then he tests you. Someone is going to need to take ownership of your TRT other than this doc. Might as well be yourself.

 

[Mando]

Not every other week. 100 mg per week, every Monday.

 

[CoastWatcher]

If you injected 50mg E3.5D I bet your TT and FT would be higher at trough.

This is a good point - an easy adjustment for you and your doctor to make.