Thread: Blood Test - What to ask for

Routine/General health assessment (blood tests):

FBE (Full blood examination)
UEC (Urea, electrolyte, creatinine)
LFTs (Liver function test)
Fasting lipid studies (Total Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, TG)
TFTs (Thyroid function tests - TSH/FT3/FT4) RT3 (Reverse T3)
Iron studies (especially important in females)
Vit B12/Folate
Vitamin D

More specific tests for people using AAS (blood tests except the last two):

Androgen studies (Free Testosterone, Total Testosterone, SHBG, DHEA, androstenione)
Estrogen
PSA (Prostate specific antigen - usually inconjunction with prostate exam.)
FSH/LH
Cortisol (which can be random or early morning)
Urine microscopy (which can lead to culture and sensitivies if bacteria is isolated)
24 hour creatinine clearance (involves collecting urine for 24 hours)

Those in competitive sports/athletes with Sports Doc supervision:

Various heavy metal levels (Zinc, Magnesium, Phosphate, Calcium)
Various Vitamin levels (Vit A, B groups, C, D, E)
Oestrogen/Progesterone levels (for competitive female athlete)
Prolactin levels
IGF-1 (Growth hormone levels)

Do docs refuse to go in such detail?>

A few other things to consider with blood tests:

For thyroid, get RT3, (Reverse T3), done. This hormone works against T3 and is linked to cortisol. Test results showing "normal" thyroid function can still be too low if RT3 is too high.

Cortisol testing is best done via saliva over 24 hours.

It's my view that men should not only get testosterone etc done, but estrogen, progesterone, and DHEA as well, regardless of AAS or elite sports.

Some labs have stopped doing Free Testosterone, as it's considered to be an unreliable indicator. Total Test and SHBG will give you what you need to know.

Vitamin D testin is, imo, very important. It's a critical hormone and there is a growing level of deficiency in the community, despite our sunny climes

Homocysteine is an important inflammation biomarker and is recommended.

Most men are Zinc deficient and a decent holistic practice should be able to give you a solution to put in your mouth to test for zinc deficiency on the spot. The solution can also be bought and I'll find a link and post it.

Originally Posted by Fabz

Do docs refuse to go in such detail?>

Most GPs have no clue;
Most GPs will argue the toss, and not order the tests;
Insist. If they won't, find another doctor. Your argument? You want a COMPLETE picture of your body chemistry. I was misdiagnosed for decades for the sake of a blood test/

Medical centres are more likely to do the tests.

i Want to be honest i hate lying so im just going to say, this is what ive been donig blah blah i need to know where my body is at.

Are all these covered under medicare?
If not, what are the cost associated?

I have had the majority of these tested for and all were by medicare.
I am not too sure about the RT3 reverse T3 i have not had that tested so i do not know.
But as Lazarus said most medical centre's will test these for you on request.
Personally i just refuse to give blood if they wont test for the whole lot.

Originally Posted by Scottie85

Are all these covered under medicare?
If not, what are the cost associated?

RT3, Vitamin D, Homocysteine are not covered by Medicare. I'll dig out my bills to check on cost for you.

Originally Posted by Fabz

i Want to be honest i hate lying so im just going to say, this is what ive been donig blah blah i need to know where my body is at.

fair enough, but remember, you have a right to know what your body chemistry is doing. No need to lie at all.

I use a medical centre for my alternate tests so I can use two labs. I simply said to the doc I want a complete checkup, which includes all these blood tests. He was a bit taken aback, but I simply said that without testing for all of it, how can he really know what's going on with me and treat me accordingly. I also say that these test are preventative; it allows me to keep an eye on what's happening so I can head off something before it starts.

Most medical centre doctors tend not to care that much.

Originally Posted by Lazarus

Most men are Zinc deficient and a decent holistic practice should be able to give you a solution to put in your mouth to test for zinc deficiency on the spot. The solution can also be bought and I'll find a link and post it.

Can you put the link up for the zinc test when you have a moment mate?
what have you found to be a good dose to supplement at?

Originally Posted by STG

Can you put the link up for the zinc test when you have a moment mate?
what have you found to be a good dose to supplement at?

http://www.thexton.com.au/product/Et...c__Test__100ml

As for dosing? Depends on how deficient you are. A starting point might be 30mg daily, and while you're taking it, add magnesium at 400mg daily.

I went in today to get bloods done and was told because i have had 2 tests already this year i would have to pay for this one, im thinking yeah no probs $30-$50 who cares, after asking for 10 or so different tests i was told it will be $570.
I said no way im going somewhere else.
Called up the old school doc "no drama's come in tomorrow".....medicare covered.
I pay taxes why should i have to pay $570 for blood tests and im Australian and was born here!

Originally Posted by Online Nutrition

I went in today to get bloods done and was told because i have had 2 tests already this year i would have to pay for this one, im thinking yeah no probs $30-$50 who cares, after asking for 10 or so different tests i was told it will be $570.
I said no way im going somewhere else.
Called up the old school doc "no drama's come in tomorrow".....medicare covered.
I pay taxes why should i have to pay $570 for blood tests and im Australian and was born here!

holy shit!!!! damn thats expensive!
most docs dont really care about preventitive care.

Originally Posted by Online Nutrition

I went in today to get bloods done and was told because i have had 2 tests already this year i would have to pay for this one, im thinking yeah no probs $30-$50 who cares, after asking for 10 or so different tests i was told it will be $570.
I said no way im going somewhere else.
Called up the old school doc "no drama's come in tomorrow".....medicare covered.
I pay taxes why should i have to pay $570 for blood tests and im Australian and was born here!

Just go to the doctors and pretend you can't speak English, they will probably give you anything you ask for then just like the rest of the welfare system.

Originally Posted by adz82

Just go to the doctors and pretend you can't speak English, they will probably give you anything you ask for then just like the rest of the welfare system.

lol

any recommendations on med centres that do freebies/medicare covered?!

Originally Posted by zayd687

any recommendations on med centres that do freebies/medicare covered?!

In my experience, any Medical Centre that bulk bills is the place to go.

Originally Posted by Lazarus

In my experience, any Medical Centre that bulk bills is the place to go.

just out of curiosity. DOes everybody have blood tests before, after usage of AAS or other suppliments?

should it be embedded not to start a cycle unless a proper examination is done prior?

Originally Posted by zayd687

just out of curiosity. DOes everybody have blood tests before, after usage of AAS or other suppliments?

should it be embedded not to start a cycle unless a proper examination is done prior?

Mate it's always been my very strong view that before and after blood tests are essential; and depending on the length of the cycle, a test mid cycle is also useful.

Fwiw: I would NEVER contemplate a cycle of anything without a proper body chemistry check before. I have tests in the morning

Its always a good idea to keep track of these things also get print outs and make a file at home so you can go over them.