Blood tests: before, during, after a steroid cycle

Attention! The administration of the project does not approve or encourage you to use anabolic steroids. The use of anabolic steroids can cause irreparable harm to your health. This article is for informational purposes only.

When performing cycles of anabolic steroids, a very important thing is the timely passing of a blood test for hormone levels. Based on this data, you will be able to monitor the state of your body. Also, focusing on blood tests, you can influence certain indicators to eliminate side effects.

Blood tests before a steroid cycle

Blood tests before the cycle are taken in order to determine whether it is generally possible for you to start the cycle or not. The test results show in which condition your body is now. If some indicators are higher than the normal index, firstly, you need to decrease them to the reference values, and only then to start the steroid cycle. For example, if before the cycle you have high levels of liver enzymes, during the cycle (especially with oral steroids) these indicators will only get worse, and nothing good will come from it.

In addition, taking tests before the cycle will allow you to track changes in your hormonal system. After the steroid cycle, post-cycle therapy (PCT) and rest, you will have to return to approximately the same values. This will mean that your hormonal system is fully restored. Also, according to the blood tests before the cycle, you can determine the steroids that you’d better do not use. For example, if you have high progesterone, then it is not advisable for you to take drugs with progestogenic activity (trenbolone, nandrolone).

Blood tests on a steroid cycle

During the cycle, blood tests should be taken several times. If you have short drugs with a short half-life, for example, testosterone propionate, then the tests should be taken one week after the start of the cycle. Then the obtained data is analyzed and the dosage of drugs is prescribed to reduce certain values (estradiol or prolactin).

A week later, blood tests are repeated to make sure that the dosage is correctly prescribed. If you had long esters on the cycle, for example, testosterone enanthate, then the tests are also taken a few weeks after the end of the cycle, to determine the time when PCT starts.

Blood tests after a steroid cycle

After a cycle of anabolic steroids, post cycle therapy (PCT) is performed. And tests are also taken on the PCT. Typically, PCT lasts 30-45 days, depending on the drugs and dosages used on the cycle. Blood tests are taken on the 3rd week of PCT in order to make sure that the PCT is made up correctly and to find out how the body responds to PCT. In addition, blood tests during PCT help to determine whether the time to start PCT has been chosen correctly, because long ethers can still stay in the blood for a long time.

The list of blood tests to take before a steroid cycle

If you are just starting to use steroids, then it would be more correct to pass the entire range of tests in order to have a complete picture of your body.

Pre-cycle blood tests include: Glucose, Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Total Bilirubin, Gamma Glutamate Transferase (GGT), Creatinine, Urea, Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (Phyne), Total Testosterone, Estradiol, Prolactin, Progesterone, SHBG, Total T3, Total T4, TSH.

If you decide to save money, then you must pass the required minimum: FSH, LH, Total Testosterone, Estradiol, Prolactin.

Blood tests during a steroid cycle

Since anabolic steroids will inhibit the production of your own testosterone, it is pointless to pass LH and FSH on the cycle. They will always tend to be zero. During the cycle you need to take: total testosterone, estradiol, prolactin. Testosterone will show whether the drug you bought is working or not. Estradiol and prolactin will tell you what dosage of aromatase and prolactin inhibitors should be given. A week after taking aromatase and prolactin inhibitors, tests of estradiol and prolactin are repeated to determine the correctness of the prescribed dosage.

Blood tests during a post cycle therapy

At the 3rd week of post cycle therapy, the required minimum of tests is again taken: LH, FSH, testosterone, prolactin, estradiol. These tests will show whether the restoration of your own testosterone production is proceeding correctly, whether the dosages of the drugs are prescribed correctly and how your testicles respond to the drug chosen for PCT. Based on the test results, a conclusion is made, and it is also determined whether you need inhibitors to reduce prolactin or estradiol. 2 weeks after PCT, a control blood test is done, in which you can see whether your PCT passed successfully, and whether the hormone levels returned to their original values.

Blood tests without a steroid cycle

If you do not take steroids or took them a long time ago (enough time has passed after PCT), the blood test results can be used to judge whether you have any problems with the reproductive system or not. When you are not during the cycle and not during PCT, the following test result:

1) low LH and FSH, while total testosterone is high or medium – is good;

2) medium LH and FSH, while total testosterone is high or medium – is normal;

3) high LH and FSH, while the total testosterone is high – is not ok. This requires re-testing after a while, it may indicate the start of problems;

4) low LH and FSH, while total testosterone is low – is bad, but it can be worse;

5) high LH and FSH, while total testosterone is low – is very bad, there may be suspicions of primary hypogonadism (failure of the testicles).

Having test results similar to those given in 4 or 5 examples, the consequences for your reproductive system can be critical. You should immediately contact your doctor.

How to take blood tests correctly

To maximize the accuracy of your blood tests, follow these guidelines:

1) You need to take tests on an empty stomach.

2) Do not have sex or masturbate for at least 24 hours before testing.

3) Do not engage in physical activity for at least 48 hours before testing.

4) It is best to take tests in the morning, after a full 8 hours of sleep.

5) Avoid alcohol intake at least 48 hours before testing.

6) Do not smoke for at least an hour before testing.

Where and how to take blood tests for hormone levels

You can take blood tests in specialized clinics. It is enough to type in the search line – where to take blood tests in your city, and you will see the entire list of such clinics. Blood is taken from a vein. Blood sampling, as a rule, is carried out in the morning (when the clinic starts working) and until a certain time (most often before 10:00). The prices for each test are different. In addition, one test in some clinic is cheaper, in some it is more expensive. In addition, the price for blood sampling is taken separately.

After collecting blood, the tests are sent to the laboratory, where the results are determined. After 1-2 days, you receive an SMS (or a call) on your phone about the readiness of results. Also, in some clinics, the test results can be viewed online on the website, by check number of receipt.

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