Introductory
WIP
This is a guide based for those in America, locations will exclusively cover America unless I gain depth with other countries.
What are Blood Tests?
A blood test is a laboratory analysis performed on a blood sample that is usually extracted from a vein in the arm using a hypodermic needle. These can be used to measure various things in the body like cholesterol, vitamin concentrations, electrolytes, hormone levels and more.
Blood tests are not required for DIY, but they’re highly advised.
Syllabus
Ranges
All ranges obtained from Mayo Clinic unless specified otherwise.
Male Ranges
Female Ranges
Ordering Labs
For scheduling your labs please schedule on the day of injection, prior injection. This will obtain your trough measurement, when your hormones are at it’s lowest.
Abstain from Biotin for a minimum of three days. Biotin interferes with laboratory assays, causing incorrect test scores. If you decide to take ultrasensitive E2 and T labs, those should not be affected. 1
Lab Websites
The most cost-effective and consumer friendly website I’ve personally found and tried is PrivateMDLabs.
FTM
For your first lab and annual labs, take everything from important to most important. For casual checks, occurring usually every three to six months, you can just take most important.
Your first lab should be performed 5 weeks after the initial injection, when steady state has been reached. Once again, casual checks are advised, preferably every six months.
- Most Important
- Total Testosterone w/ Free, Ultrasensitive
- Estradiol, Ultrasensitive
- FSH & LH (Gonadotropins)
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Comprehensive Metabolic Profile (CMP / Liver Panel) - [Yes, Aromatase Inhibitors]
- Important
- Comprehensive Metabolic Profile (CMP / Liver Panel) - [No Aromatase Inhibitors]
- Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) - [Yes, Family History of Diabetes]
- Least Important
- Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) - [No Family History of Diabetes]
PrivateMDLabs link with all these panels attached except HbA1C. https://www.privatemdlabs.com/product/hormone-panel-with-e2-ultrasensitive-ft-testosterone-lcms
MTF
For your first lab and annual labs, take everything from important to most important. For casual checks, occurring usually every three to six months, you can just take most important.
Your first lab should be performed 5 weeks after the initial injection, when steady state has been reached. Once again, casual checks are advised, preferably every six months.
- Most Important
- Total Testosterone w/ Free, Ultrasensitive
- Estradiol, Ultrasensitive
- FSH & LH (Gonadotropins)
- Comprehensive Metabolic Profile (CMP / Liver Panel) - [Yes, Taking Any Pills]
- Kidney Panel - [Yes, Taking Anti-Androgens]
- Important
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Comprehensive Metabolic Profile (CMP / Liver Panel) - [No Pills]
- Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) - [Yes, Family History of Diabetes]
- Least Important
- Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) - [No Family History of Diabetes]
- Not Important
- Kidney Panel - [No Anti-Androgens]