Blood Tests Before and After an Anabolic Cycle
June 12, 2015
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Anabolic steroids can have powerful effects on muscle, as well as athletic performance, but they pose several risks which ought to be handled with care. Reasonable blood work is one of the essential requirements of responsible steroid use.
Remembering your health status, while starting, in the middle, and towards the end of an anabolic cycle can help ensure safe practices and avoid potential harm, and achieve lasting benefits.
Contents
- 1 The Reason Why It’s Needed To Do Medical Blood Tests Immediately After The Cycle and Before Going Into The Cycle
- 2 Important Medical Tests To Undergo Before Commencing A Cycle
- 3 Measure Levels Throughout the Whole Cycle
- 4 Blood Work After Cycle
- 5 Guidelines To Follow For Determining Blood Work Results Accurately
- 6 The Role of Post-Cycle Therapy: PCT
- 7 What Makes Ugroids the Best Steroids Provider in the World
- 8 Share
- 9 About Post Author
The Reason Why It’s Needed To Do Medical Blood Tests Immediately After The Cycle and Before Going Into The Cycle
Blood work is not just a precaution—it’s a roadmap for your body’s health. The test provides fundamental information that assists in evaluating hormonal levels, liver function, heart, and other body system:
- Before the Cycle: Blood work determines the health status of an individual seeking to use anabolic steroids;
- During the Cycle: Monitoring enables checking that proper responses are obtained and that the adverse effects are controlled;
- After the Cycle: Blood work is beneficial in assessing healing and determining whether post cycle therapy (PCT) or some other intervention is needed.
Important Medical Tests To Undergo Before Commencing A Cycle
In order to ensure that the anabolic process is commenced in a safe manner, a set of baseline tests must be carried out:
Testing Of Hormones
Important Tests:
- Total and Free Testosterone: These levels also serve as the best evaluation for recovery after the post cycle period;
- Estradiol: Assists in the measuring of estrogen which might increase as a result of the transformer hormone;
- Luteinizing Hormone and Follicle Stimulating Hormone: Signs of body’s own testosterone input.
- Prolactin: Increase in its levels can be an indication of the possible negative effects of some steroids such as Nandrolone and Trenbolone.
Measurement of the Level Of Thyroid Hormones
Tests that fall in this category include:
- TSH: Thyroid Stimulating Hormone;
- T3 and T4: Free and Total Thyroxine.
These are very important tests as they confirm that the thyroid gland that controls metabolism is performing well.
Measurement of the Level Of Liver Enzymes
Particularly orals might result into damaging effects to the liver. Crucial Indicators to test:
- ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase);
- AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase);
- Bilirubin high levels can show that there is stress or damage occurring to the liver.
Measurement of blood lipids
Steroids have an impact on cholesterol levels. Start with testing of:
- LDL: Low Density Lipoprotein – this is “bad cholesterol”;
- HDL: High Density Lipoprotein – this is “good cholesterol”;
- Triglycerides.
Analysis of Clinical Blood
This particular test measures:
- Hematocrit Levels: High levels lead to increased chances of blood clotting;
- Red and White Blood Cell Counts: These measure the transport of oxygen and general immunity health;
- Tests That Would Determine the Functionality of the Kidney: By assessing levels of BUN and Creatinine as markers.
Blood Glucose Levels
Due to the use of steroids, insulin sensitivity can be impacted hence a watch on fasting glucose and HbA1c is pivotal in ensuring a track.
Measure Levels Throughout the Whole Cycle
In order to gain an insight on the complications that might be faced in a cycle, periodic testing of the body is crucial.
How will the following help during the cycle:
- Hormonal Panel: If aromatising steroids or 19-nor compounds are used, it is essential to monitor estradiol and prolactin levels;
- Lipid Profile: Some variations are expected however a high range of LDL and a low range of HDL would need corrections to be made;
- Liver Function: With oral steroids, elevations of ALT/AST levels are usually observed, but are recommended not to exceed the range on acceptance;
- CBC: Elevated hematocrit as compared to the normal level is to be monitored with cardiovascular diseases in mind due to being taking steroids.
Blood Work After Cycle
In order to determine the extent to which the post cycle therapy was functional, blood tests after the cycles are of utmost importance.
Important Tests to undertaken after Cycle
Testosterone Levels
Ensure a check on testosterone levels in order to understand the natural production functionality from free testosterone and total fused testosterone.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone
In order to know if there is a recovery taking place in the HPGH axis, these hormones are essential.
Estradiol
Recovery is affected due to imbalances in Estrogen levels such high or low suppressed estrogen levels. Hence watch out for the imbalances.
Liver and Kidney Function
Make sure that the levels of serum ALT, AST, and creatinine have been restored to within their normal range.
Lipid Profile
Subsequent to a cycle, a spiking cholesterol level should start normalizing to the baseline level.
Guidelines To Follow For Determining Blood Work Results Accurately
In order to determine the blood work results accurately, you need to consider the following conditions:
- Fasting: The blood test should always be done in a fasting state, otherwise the results may come out with high glucose or lipid levels;
- Timing: Hormone blood work is best performed in the early morning after a sleep period of at least 8 hours;
- Avoid Physical Strain: Do not engage in any form of exercise for 48 hours leading up to the testing, as physical strain can result in temporarily increased levels of liver enzymes and other indicators;
- Abstain from Sexual Activity: Semen and testosterone production may be affected by sex or masturbation about 24 hours before testing, so try to refrain from those activities.
The Role of Post-Cycle Therapy: PCT
To restore the hormonal balance and reduce its side effects, the post-cycle therapy is a necessity. This is proven by blood work performed after completing the PCT.
PCT Medications:
- SERMs (such as Clomid, Nolvadex) are used when trying to reactivate the natural testosterone production;
- If warranted, Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) will be used to reduce estrogen stage;
- HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is administered to the men so that their testes are ‘awakened’ during the PCT.
What Makes Ugroids the Best Steroids Provider in the World
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We advocate for safe and responsible use so you achieve all of your objectives while minimizing all risk factors.
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