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johnny-longtorso
New member
I've been doing some reading on several of the forums regarding blood screens, and I wanted to ask what, exactly, I should consider monitoring.
Some details about me:
Age: 44
General excellent health (includes libido & sexual function)
No current (or even recent) meds
No smoking/drinking/recreation drugs > 15 years (never smoked cigarettes)
Family history does not include (apparent) hormone-related health issues, but has a healthy helping of bad hearts and terminal cancer.
Last blood screen was in July, and the only oddity was my total cholesterol at 222.
The only health issue that has me looking at testing hormone levels is the fact that somehow, over the last couple years, I am about 1.5 inches shorter - down to 6'2" after a "career high" just shy of 6'4" tall....
My goal is to understand my "base chemistry", and start ongoing monitoring of "typical male markers" as I start to look at supplementation. Note that I will NOT be perusing any kind of "Hormone Replacement Therapy" or augmentation, but I will be taking supplements reputed to stimulate testosterone production.
Here's what I am considering asking the Doc to test:
Chemistry Panel
CBC
Progesterone
Pregnenolone (?)
FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone)
LH (Luteinizing Hormone)
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
Total Testosterone
Free Testosterone
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA-s)
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)
Estradiol
Homocysteine
Cardiac-reactive protein (CRP) (High sensitivity)
Is this typical? Too much? The one test that has me baffled is the Pregnenolone test - I've seen it reported in a few guys tests, but isn't this a test typically used for women??
One thing that I've noticed in a couple of on-going comparisons here is that the same tests aren't always done. To me that just seems strange - why check it once if you're not going to get it done all the time? (cost not withstanding, of course).
Speaking of cost - any estimates on what a typical "med center" lab will charge for this, and will insurance cover it if it's been ordered by my Doc?
If there's some data I've left out just ask and I'll post up....
TIA
Don
Some details about me:
Age: 44
General excellent health (includes libido & sexual function)
No current (or even recent) meds
No smoking/drinking/recreation drugs > 15 years (never smoked cigarettes)
Family history does not include (apparent) hormone-related health issues, but has a healthy helping of bad hearts and terminal cancer.
Last blood screen was in July, and the only oddity was my total cholesterol at 222.
The only health issue that has me looking at testing hormone levels is the fact that somehow, over the last couple years, I am about 1.5 inches shorter - down to 6'2" after a "career high" just shy of 6'4" tall....
My goal is to understand my "base chemistry", and start ongoing monitoring of "typical male markers" as I start to look at supplementation. Note that I will NOT be perusing any kind of "Hormone Replacement Therapy" or augmentation, but I will be taking supplements reputed to stimulate testosterone production.
Here's what I am considering asking the Doc to test:
Chemistry Panel
CBC
Progesterone
Pregnenolone (?)
FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone)
LH (Luteinizing Hormone)
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
Total Testosterone
Free Testosterone
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate (DHEA-s)
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)
Estradiol
Homocysteine
Cardiac-reactive protein (CRP) (High sensitivity)
Is this typical? Too much? The one test that has me baffled is the Pregnenolone test - I've seen it reported in a few guys tests, but isn't this a test typically used for women??
One thing that I've noticed in a couple of on-going comparisons here is that the same tests aren't always done. To me that just seems strange - why check it once if you're not going to get it done all the time? (cost not withstanding, of course).
Speaking of cost - any estimates on what a typical "med center" lab will charge for this, and will insurance cover it if it's been ordered by my Doc?
If there's some data I've left out just ask and I'll post up....
TIA
Don
