Just Asked Doc For Blood Tests...

[brownpaperbag04]

So I just got back from the doctors office. This was the first time I've seen this doctor because I've moved. He walked in and I basically explained that I wanted a physical and wanted the following blood tests. He read through the list of tests I had (the ones below) and asked me WHY I needed these. I told him I wanted a base test that I could look back at for future reference, also I told him I'd read a magazine article that suggested weight lifters get these tests once a year to make sure your body is operating well....another reason I mentioned was it could make some indications if something was potentially going to become a problem. My doc told me he thought most of the tests were a waste of money for me since I was in good physical condition and didn't know of any problems. He also told me he wouldn't even know what to do if some of the tests came back with issues...which I thought was pretty fucked up. He's a doctor...he can do SOMETHING...like refer me to someone who knows what the hell he's doing.

He also asked if I was on steriods. I wasn't sure if I wanted to be totally honest with him so I told him I'd taken an 8 week cycle of sustanon in the summer. He didn't seem too shaken by it and actually gave me a prescription (i guess that's what it's called) to get a blood test...but only for testosterones, cardio risk, and liver/kidney.

Just thought I would share my experience since there has been quite a bit of talk lately about talking with doctors and asking them about blood tests.

Testosterone
Free testosterone
IGF-1
Estradiol
DHEA-s
(Thyroid panel)
T4
T3
TSH
Total cholesterol
LDL fraction
HDL fraction
Triglycerides
C-reactive protein
Homocysteine
Alkaline phosphatase
GGT
SGOT
SGPT
PSA
Creatinine
BUN
Creatinine/BUN ratio

 

[DiamondCutCows]

So what tests are the most relevant to have checked?

 

[rjl296]

ill say these : but hopefully a doc will chime in

Total cholesterol
LDL fraction
HDL fraction
Triglycerides
Testosterone
Free testosterone

at the very least

 

[Goldprospector]

Most all of what he has listed is a "standard test". I've not seen a "thyroid panel" but thyroid #'s are in the standard test.

The test levels are not in a basic blood test. I don't know what a lot of this stuff is but here are the excact tests that come in a basic blood test:

White Blood Cell Count
Red Blood Cell Count
Hemoglobin
Hematocrit
MCV
MCH
MCHC
RDW
Platelets
Polys
Lymphs
Monocytes
Eos
Basos
Polys (Absolute)
Lymphs (Absolute)
Monocytes (Absolute)
Eos (Absolute Value)
Baso (Absolute)


Glucose, Serum
BUN
Creatinine, Serum
Bun/Creatinine Ratio
Sodium, Serum
Potassium, Serum
Chloride, Serum
Carbon Dioxide, Total
Calcium, Serum
Protien, Total, Serum
Albumin, Serum
Globulin, Total
A/G Ratio
Bilirubin, Total
Alkaline Phosphatase, Serum
AST (SGOT)
ALT (SGPT)

Cholesterol, Total
Triglycerides
HDL
VLDL

TSH (Thyroid) Total
Creatine Kinase, Total, Serum

 

[brownpaperbag04]

the stuff you have listed there in the 'basic' test is testing immune, kideny, liver, and most of the cardio risk....but no hormones (which is normal like you said).

Most important to body builders is having testosterone and free testosterone checked. You also want to have cholestoral checked regularly. Thyriod panel is important if you've been messing with DNP, T3, or T4. Everything else like kidney/liver function are important if you've been juicing...since juice affects both the kidney and liver toxicity.

 

[DrJMW]

These 15 tests will give the steroid athlete a good picture. Print it out for future reference. I review this list yearly and make changes as needed. The tests are grouped according to areas of importance. If you have any questions regarding the importance of these, post it. If some of these have negative results, further follow-up tests can be performed, but these are excellent "screening" tests.

Fasting

HORMONE

1. Cortisol, Total (367)
2. Estradiol, Extraction (30289)
3. Prolactin (746)
4. LH (615)
5. FSH (470)
6. T3, Free (34429)
7. T4, Free (866-78)
8. TSH (899-75)
9. Testosterone, Total, Free and Weakly Bound (30741)
10. Hemoglobin A1C (496-39)
11. Fasting Insulin (561)


CARDIOVASCULAR

12. CBC (6399-20)
13. Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (10231-92)
14. Lipid Panel (7600-4)

OTHER

15. GGT (482-31) Important Liver Value not included in Comp Metabolic Panel

 

[DrJMW]

Perhaps make this list a sticky for a while.

 

[brownpaperbag04]

DrJMW,

Even after I told my doc I used steriods he didn't want to give me all these tests. He didn't see any relevance to them...even though I tried to explain those I knew were relevant (the hormones I listed). I suppose I can just order them from healthcheckusa.com or something...but do you have any suggestions on how to approach a doctor to give you the tests you want?

 

[Goldprospector]

8. TSH (899-75)

DrJMW, I would assume that the #'s that you are listing in the parenthasis are the BN's. Correct?

If so, why would it differ from lab to lab??? Shouldn't there be a standard?
The report from my BT that I have in hand states that the TSH BN is .350 - 5.500 uIU/ml.

 

[houseofpain]

The standard panel of tests most doctors give for a regular physical include everything that was on your original blood test list.

The only one that isn't is the testosterone panel. But when the doctor asked why you wanted it you could've just given him some BS about your libido not being what it used to be.

IMHO... Badddddddd idea to tell your doctor that you've been doing any kind of steriods. If he or she puts that kind of info into your medical history so that your insurance provider can see it, you could be totally screwing yourself if you develop a future medical condition that the insurance company could claim was due to your usage of unprescribed AS...