Please Scroll Down to See Forums Below Is there an easy way to check test levels other than going in and having blood drawn? Curious as to where I am and am between blood test right now. Wanna see if anything else I am doing (legal)) has affected it and don't want doc to know right yet. Only interested in total t and free t at the moment. Saliva test, perhaps, from an on line clinic? Suggestions?
checking t levels without bloodwork
- Thread starter jhondo
- Start date
Tatyana
Elite Mentor
There are such huge problems with testosterone assays as it is, I would not recommend trying to find any other way of checking your testosterone.
Problems with the testosterone assay
Analytical
1. No standardisation between analyser platforms
2. Still difficulties in detecting testoserone at the lower levels
3. Interferences from drugs
4. Interferences from heterophile antibodies
5. Have been suspicions that the gel in tubes absorbs some of the testosterone
Physiological
1. Test needs to measure testosterone at it's highest level in the day, usually around 9 am for younger men, this may vary a bit as men get older and are affected by the andropause
These are just a few of the things that I can remember, I have been to conferences/presentations of the Association of Clinical Biochemists when the issues were being discussed.
There is a salivary test, however, it is not recommended for the lower levels of testosterone, so you could end up just wasting your money.
There is a huge variation between assays, so even if you sent bloods to a different lab, or did a salivary test, you may find when you go back to your regular clinician, that the results would not be the same.
Consistency is the key to determine if your HRT replacement is at the right level for you.
x
x
x
T
Problems with the testosterone assay
Analytical
1. No standardisation between analyser platforms
2. Still difficulties in detecting testoserone at the lower levels
3. Interferences from drugs
4. Interferences from heterophile antibodies
5. Have been suspicions that the gel in tubes absorbs some of the testosterone
Physiological
1. Test needs to measure testosterone at it's highest level in the day, usually around 9 am for younger men, this may vary a bit as men get older and are affected by the andropause
These are just a few of the things that I can remember, I have been to conferences/presentations of the Association of Clinical Biochemists when the issues were being discussed.
There is a salivary test, however, it is not recommended for the lower levels of testosterone, so you could end up just wasting your money.
There is a huge variation between assays, so even if you sent bloods to a different lab, or did a salivary test, you may find when you go back to your regular clinician, that the results would not be the same.
Consistency is the key to determine if your HRT replacement is at the right level for you.
x
x
x
T
Last edited:
Absolutely ... and really after a HRT cycle or heavy aas cycle.jhondo said:
I've been watching blood pressure.
