Blood tests before and during AAS / prohormone cycle - Why? Which one?
Added 2018-10-09 15:46:35 +0000 UTCThis topic was often under discussion, but we can still find the same questions and (alarmingly) bad advice on forums. That is why it will be one of the first subjects I will elaborate on.
Before beginning any kind of AAS (anabolic-androgenic steroids) or prohormone-based cycle, it is essential to complete complex blood work. That is the only way to let you know the organism's current condition, match appropriate steroids to your individual hormone profile, and find out if it even allows you to start an AAS cycle. Furthermore, you will learn how your blood test results should look after you have ended your PCT (Post Cycle Therapy). After 3-4 months, they should return to the values you've seen before the first dose of exogenous steroid.
While on cycle, there is no need to perform as many complex blood tests as before (nonetheless, it will strictly depend on the class of steroids you are on). During your cycle, hormone levels will change diametrically and almost immediately (how? It depends on the agents you are on, which is a vast topic for another article). Usually, the following three hormones will condition your mood and state of being - testosterone, estrogen, and prolactin. Therefore, it is important to have estrogen inhibitors like exemestane and prolactin reducers like cabergoline in stock. The most common side effects occur only due to improper control of these three hormones (e.g., gynecomastia, bad mood, erectile dysfunction, water retention, acne, etc.). That is why you should control them the most often (usually once every 2-3 months).
The following blood test results are necessary before a cycle:
* CBC - Complete Blood Count - (RBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, WBC, Lym, Mono, PLT),
* thyroid functions Test (TSH, FT3, FT4),
* full liver panel (Total Protein, Bilirubin, ASPAT, ALAT, GGTP, HCV, HBs),
* lipids profile (HDL, LDL, TG)
* hormones (Estradiol, Total Testosterone, Prolactin)
* pituitary function (LH, FSH)
* Glucose and Insulin
* kidney's profile (Electrolytes, Creatine, Urea) [optionally | essential if planning to use, i.a., trenbolone or m-drol]
The following blood test results are necessary to be done during a cycle:
* hormones (Estradiol, Testosterone, Prolactin) [2-3 weeks after you have started your cycle (depends on a substance you use) and Estradiol/Prolactin every time you are not sure which doses of AI (Aromatase Inhibitor) and prolactin reducers are optimal for your organism and every time you add another, e.g., highly prone to aromatase substance, or start to feel any side effects associated with high prolactin/estrogen levels]
* full liver panel (Total Protein, Bilirubin, ASPAT, ALAT, GGTP, HCV, HBs) [every 3-4 months or much more often if you are on oral steroids or prohormones (especially methylated ones, which will directly affect the liver)]
* lipid blood tests (HDL, LDL, TG)
* CRP, OB, Blood Smear [optional]
The following blood work is necessary to be done after the first stage of PCT (after the use of hCG):
* hormones (Estradiol, Total Testosterone, Prolactin, TSH, FT3, FT4, SHBG)
At this point, you will need to figure out how the HCG injections affected your organism and did they already increased your testosterone level. If your testosterone level is still low after being on HCG [read more]. Also, before beginning the use of SERMs, it is essential to have estradiol, prolactin, and thyroid gland hormones at their optimal (natural) levels.
The following blood test results are necessary to be completed after you've ended your PCT (SERMs):
*complex tests, same as before a cycle
[REMEMBER!] The obtained blood tests will be strictly related to your actual diet, lifestyle, and substances you are on. Therefore, you should be aware of the possible side effects of substances you take before you begin the cycle and properly react whenever any of them occurs.
Before doing any complex blood tests, you should take a break from a heavy workout for 2 days and eat your last meal approx. 12 hours before tests. It should also be a meal with a limited amount of carbohydrates.
Shortly about prolactin and estrogen effects:
Prolactin - high level of this hormone may strongly reduce your libido, worsen erectile functions and mood, as well as induce prolactin gynecomastia [read more]
Estrogen - its level above "laboratory range" simultaneously with high testosterone will bring forth a couple of great benefits (higher IGF-1 / GH level, improved joint functioning). Nonetheless, its too high level may also bring out many side effects (similar to prolactin). That's why you should figure out on your own what level of estrogen fits you the best. It also explains why you shouldn't keep your estrogen level low during your cycle (remember that its level should depend on your actual testosterone level!). It will simply reduce your gains and may lead to physical injuries resulting from worsened joint functions. [read more]
Comments
Gotcha, thanks for the quick and extensive reply! Hope this helps everyone else who was wondering the same. I do have another inquiry though since the "enhanced" operating efficacy of the body wears off after use is discontinued, is the same said for other frequencies like the subliminal and morphic fields? I noticed you said morphic fields have permanent effects after long enough use, but to be specific, is there an estimate of how long? And as noted in the "Exemplary Binaural Steroidal Frequencies Cycles" article, I saw that a 3-4 month cycle(or however long) and a 1-2 week break is a good idea to let the brain catch up. Will those effects remain if we start another cycle that does not include the previous frequencies [say Mastermind EF5 or Mindfulness]? I apologize for the long question, but I'd be truly grateful for your answer when you have the time.
N30
2023-03-04 23:26:19 +0000 UTCThis is not necessary, but recommended after advanced cycles. Nevertheless, if you stick to the recommended limits, you don't have to worry about disrupting your endocrine system. Finally, you rely on your endogenous production and are not injecting supraphysiological doses of agents of an unknown origin. After discontinuing the use of steroid frequencies, your organism will continue to operate more efficiently for a longer period, eventually returning to its baseline homeostasis. An alternative method is to track signs of high/low levels of a specific hormone is to recognize your mood and feelings. But even though it's a moderately good method by binaural steroids, it's not advised when using actual AAS (unless you're an advanced user).
Binaural Nutrition
2023-03-03 12:00:44 +0000 UTCIs getting blood work done for all of these necessary for binaural steroidal frequencies? If it is, is there another way of testing or knowing about your hormones and other factors without blood work done?
N30
2023-03-01 18:59:47 +0000 UTC
