1. Introduction

Can one use AAS successfully without getting bloodwork done? Yes. Is that a good idea? Not really. Not getting bloodwork done makes it impossible to monitor one’s health after a cycle and compare it to one’s natural baseline. If one is serious about AAS use, getting bloodwork done is a MUST.

One should always get bloodwork done before their very first cycle to find out what their baseline values are. Then, one can get bloodwork done again right after the cycle ends to see the negative impact it had on their health, and again before the following cycle.

2. Where To Get Bloodwork Done

If you live in the USA, my recommendation is that you get tested at a LABCORP or QUEST DIAGNOSTICS facility. If you live somewhere else, you can ask a trusted doctor for a bloodwork prescription or find a private clinic in your city.

3. What To Test For

These are the main panels you want to get tested for:

Hormonal Panel

Testosterone, Free Testosterone, SHBG, LH, FSH, Estradiol, etc…

Lipid Panel

Total Cholesterol, LDL Cholesterol, HDL Cholesterol, Triglycerides, etc…

Metabolic Panel

AST, ALT, Glucose, BUN, Creatinine, etc...

Complete Blood Count w/ Differential

Hematocrit, Hemoglobin, White Blood Cell count, Platelet count, etc...

Note: If your results are in different units, use Google to convert them to the units used in the following sections.

4. Hormonal Panel

Testosterone

This hormone needs no introduction. The primary sex hormone in men, promotes optimal sexual development, muscle mass, bone strength, well-being, mental health, the growth of body hair, etc…

• IDEAL RANGE: 650–1100 ng/dl

Free Testosterone

The amount of available circulating Testosterone, the rest is bound to SHBG. This is the Testosterone that your body can actually use.

• IDEAL RANGE: 10–20 ng/dl

SHBG

Sex-Hormone Binding Globulin binds to androgens like Testosterone, so the lower it is, the more Free Testosterone you will have.

• IDEAL RANGE: 15–30 nmol/L

LH & FSH

Luteinizing Hormone and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone stimulate Testosterone production and spermatogenesis, respectively. The higher the better.

• IDEAL RANGE: 5–10 mIU/ml for both

Estradiol (E2)

The main sex hormone in females, but very important for optimal sexual function, well-being, neuroprotection and bone strength in men.

• IDEAL RANGE: 20–30 pg/ml

5. Lipid Panel

Total Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a sterol and the precursor to steroid hormones, Vitamin D and bile acid. It has tons of functions within the body and it is an essential molecule, but high Cholesterol is linked to cardiovascular disease.

• IDEAL RANGE: 125–200 mg/dl

HDL Cholesterol

“Good Cholesterol”, prevents atherosclerosis within the walls of arteries.

• IDEAL RANGE: Over 40 mg/dl

LDL Cholesterol

“Bad Cholesterol”, unlike HDL it causes atherosclerosis. The higher it is, the greater the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

• IDEAL RANGE: Below 100 mg/dl

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are an ester derived from glycerol and fatty acids, the higher your Triglyceride levels, the greater the chance of cardiovascular disease.

• IDEAL RANGE: Below 150 mg/dl

Apolipoprotein-B

ApoB is the ultimate cardiovascular risk marker because it directly measures the number of atherogenic particles, not just their cholesterol content. It integrates cholesterol, triglyceride, and particle size data into one number, making it a better predictor of heart attacks and strokes than LDL or total cholesterol alone.

• IDEAL RANGE: Below 90 mg/dl

6. Metabolic Panel

AST & ALT

These two enzymes reflect liver (hepatic) health. Drinking alcohol, taking oral anabolics and even intense training can cause an increase in both AST and ALT. Other liver markers include ALP and GGT.

• IDEAL RANGE: AST below 40 u/l and ALT below 56 u/l

Glucose

Blood sugar levels indicate the concentration of glucose in the blood. The higher they are, the more insulin resistant you become, affecting your health in many negative ways and putting you at risk for Type 2 Diabetes.

• IDEAL RANGE: 80–90 mg/dl

BUN

Blood Urea Nitrogen is a marker that reflects the health of the Kidneys. Having too much BUN indicates a lack of proper renal function.

• IDEAL RANGE: 5–20 mg/dl

Creatinine

Creatinine is a breakdown product of creatine and is secreted by the body at a constant rate depending on the amount of muscle mass it holds. It reflects kidney health but is high by default in users with lots of muscle.

• IDEAL RANGE: 0.9–1.3 mg/dl

Cystatin C

Cystatin C is a protein produced by all cells, filtered by the kidneys, and unaffected by muscle mass, making the most reliable marker of kidney function.

• IDEAL RANGE: 0.5–1.0 mg/dl

7. Complete Blood Count (HEMOGRAM)

Red Blood Cell Count

Marker that measures the amount of circulating red blood cells, which are responsible for oxygen transportation.

• IDEAL RANGE: 4.35M–5.65M per μl

Hematocrit

This marker measures the volume percentage of red blood cells in the blood. Too much of it will make your blood thick and give it an undesirable degree of viscosity.

• IDEAL RANGE: 40–50%

Hemoglobin

Protein that is a part of RBCs and is responsible for the transportation of oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

• IDEAL RANGE: 13–18 g/dl

White Blood Cell Count

Measures number of white blood cells.

• IDEAL RANGE: 4000–10000 per μl

Platelet Count

Marker that measures the amount of circulating platelets, the cell fragments that help form blood clots.

• IDEAL RANGE: 150000–450000 per μl

8. Other Markers

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)

CRP is protein that increases in response to inflammation and stress. This is one of the most solid predictors of heart disease and AAS have been shown to raise it, so you MUST get it tested regularly.

• IDEAL RANGE: Under 1 mg/dl

Growth Hormone (GH)

Another hormone that needs no introduction, it is involved in pretty much every step of human development, healing, fat loss, cognitive health, sleep, muscle growth and recovery, etc…

• IDEAL RANGE: 8–10 ng/ml

Insulin

Anabolic hormone that regulates the metabolism of all macronutrients by shuttling glucose into the liver, fat and muscle cells.

• IDEAL RANGE: Below 25 mIU/L when fasted, up to 250 mIU/L after carbs

Prolactin

Protein that enables mammals to produce milk. High prolactin can cause sexual dysfunction and gynecomastia in men. A MUST if using 19-Nor AAS.

• IDEAL RANGE: 5–10 ng/ml

IGF-1

Anabolic hormone that is closely linked to both GH and insulin. Promotes growth, muscle mass, bone health, cognitive health, etc…

• IDEAL RANGE: 300–400 ng/ml