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STEROPEDIA

Blood Work Reference Guide

Understanding your bloodwork is crucial for monitoring health markers while using anabolic steroids. This guide breaks down the essential laboratory values that indicate how your body is responding and helps you identify potential issues before they become serious. We’ll examine key markers that track liver function, cardiovascular health, hormone levels, and other vital metrics that need careful monitoring.

Liver Function Tests

  1. ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase)

    • Description: Enzyme found in the liver; elevated levels indicate liver damage or stress.
    • Relevance: Steroids, especially oral ones, can increase ALT, signaling liver strain.

  2. AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase)

    • Description: Enzyme found in the liver and other tissues; elevated levels suggest liver or muscle damage.
    • Relevance: Used alongside ALT to assess liver health during steroid cycles.

  3. ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase)

    • Description: Enzyme associated with the liver, bones, and bile ducts.
    • Relevance: High levels may indicate liver or bone issues.

  4. Bilirubin

    • Description: A byproduct of red blood cell breakdown, processed by the liver.
    • Relevance: Elevated levels may suggest liver dysfunction or bile obstruction.

Kidney Function Tests

  1. Creatinine

    • Description: Waste product filtered by the kidneys; a measure of kidney function.
    • Relevance: High levels can indicate kidney stress or damage, which can occur with prolonged steroid use.

  2. BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)

    • Description: A waste product from protein metabolism, filtered by the kidneys.
    • Relevance: Elevated levels suggest kidney strain or dehydration.

  3. eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate)

    • Description: Estimates kidney filtration efficiency.
    • Relevance: A low eGFR indicates impaired kidney function.

Hormone Panels

  1. Testosterone (Total)

    • Description: The total amount of testosterone in the blood, including bound and free testosterone.
    • Relevance: Measures overall testosterone levels; crucial for evaluating steroid cycles and natural production.

  2. Free Testosterone

    • Description: Testosterone not bound to proteins in the blood and available for biological activity.
    • Relevance: Provides a clearer picture of active testosterone levels.

  3. SHBG (Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin)

    • Description: A protein that binds to sex hormones, including testosterone and estrogen.
    • Relevance: High levels can reduce free testosterone; low levels may occur during steroid use.

  4. LH (Luteinizing Hormone)

    • Description: Stimulates natural testosterone production.
    • Relevance: Suppressed levels indicate disrupted natural hormone production from steroid use.

  5. FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone)

    • Description: Regulates reproductive processes, including sperm production.
    • Relevance: Suppressed levels can result from steroid use, affecting fertility.

  6. Estradiol (E2)

    • Description: A form of estrogen; levels can fluctuate with steroid use.
    • Relevance: High levels may lead to side effects like gynecomastia; low levels can impact mood and bone health.

Lipid Profile

  1. HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein)

    • Description: “Good” cholesterol that helps remove LDL from arteries.
    • Relevance: Steroids often lower HDL, increasing cardiovascular risk.

  2. LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein)

    • Description: “Bad” cholesterol that can build up in arteries.
    • Relevance: Elevated LDL is common with steroid use, heightening heart disease risk.

  3. Total Cholesterol

    • Description: Combined HDL, LDL, and other lipid levels in the blood.
    • Relevance: Used to assess overall cardiovascular health.

  4. Triglycerides

    • Description: Fat molecules in the blood that provide energy.
    • Relevance: High levels may increase with poor diet or steroid use.

Blood Sugar and Insulin Markers

  1. Fasting Glucose

    • Description: Blood sugar level after fasting.
    • Relevance: Steroids can affect glucose metabolism, impacting insulin sensitivity.

  2. HbA1c (Hemoglobin A1c)

    • Description: Average blood sugar levels over 2-3 months.
    • Relevance: Helps detect steroid-induced insulin resistance or prediabetes.

Complete Blood Count (CBC)

  1. RBC (Red Blood Cell Count)

    • Description: Measures the number of red blood cells in the blood.
    • Relevance: Elevated levels increase the risk of blood clots during steroid use.

  2. Hemoglobin

    • Description: Protein in RBCs that carries oxygen.
    • Relevance: Elevated levels may signal increased oxygen-carrying capacity but also a risk of clotting.

  3. Hematocrit

    • Description: Percentage of blood composed of red blood cells.
    • Relevance: High levels can thicken blood, increasing cardiovascular risks.

  4. Platelets

    • Description: Cells involved in blood clotting.
    • Relevance: Abnormal levels can indicate clotting disorders or other health issues.

  5. WBC (White Blood Cell Count)

    • Description: Measures immune system cells in the blood.
    • Relevance: Steroids can suppress or stimulate WBC production, impacting immunity.

Thyroid Function Tests

  1. TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone)

    • Description: Regulates thyroid gland activity.
    • Relevance: Imbalances can affect metabolism and energy levels, potentially interacting with steroid effects.

  2. T4 (Thyroxine)

    • Description: A thyroid hormone involved in metabolism regulation.
    • Relevance: Changes in T4 can affect energy and body composition.

  3. T3 (Triiodothyronine)

    • Description: The active thyroid hormone that influences metabolism.
    • Relevance: Imbalances may occur with excessive steroid use or other health conditions.

By understanding these markers and their relevance, you can make informed decisions about your steroid regimen and health management. Always consult a healthcare provider or a specialist experienced in sports medicine for tailored advice based on your lab results.