Why get tested before, during and after a steroid cycle?
If you are firmly convinced that you need pharmacological support, then you should know: any intervention in the hormonal system of your body can lead to irreparable consequences that can lead to disability and even death.
However, not everything is as bad as it might seem at first glance, because, from the same aspirin , you can also die if you exceed the recommended dosage several times.
Anabolic steroids are hormonal, synthetic drugs that imitate the action of the male sex hormone testosterone .
That is, in other words, an athlete taking steroids injects himself with artificial testosterone, which has a powerful effect on the hormonal system. That is why it is not correct to compare, for example, aspirin with anabolic steroids.
We hope you are convinced that taking anabolic steroids is associated with a certain risk to the athlete’s health. And in order to minimize , it is necessary to take certain actions - take tests on time, primarily blood and urine , by which one could assess the state of one’s health.
It is worth noting that, like any drug, anabolic steroids also have their contraindications , some more, some less (depending on the type of anabolic, as well as on the method of its use: oral or injectable).
In addition, do not forget that athletes may not know that they have diseases of internal organs, for which the use of anabolic steroids is generally contraindicated, for example, liver failure , high blood pressure, hepatitis, kidney disease, and so on. In order to exclude this, so to speak, not to aggravate the situation of your health, it is necessary to undergo tests.
Why get tested when you plan to take anabolic steroids?
And of course, we must not forget that the “chemical” course, in itself, is a certain test for the body, because there is a direct intervention in the hormonal system. Therefore, in order not to pick up a “bouquet” of sores, you need to notice in time that the body is malfunctioning, and begin to take appropriate steps towards resolving the problem (by the way, this is why you also need to do PCT - post-cycle therapy).
Thus, we can summarize that taking tests, especially blood and urine, when taking anabolic steroids is mandatory , because it helps:
- avoid health problems
- minimize side effects
- PCT correctly
- identify existing health problems in the body
- prescribe the correct treatment
In addition, taking tests before and after a steroid course will help you identify a “ working ” and “not working” pharmacological drug.
Analysis on the course. Start
The pre-course exam is the most important part. After all, only at this moment can all contraindications be identified and conclusions drawn on the choice and dosage of the drug, taking into account individual characteristics. Mandatory tests include the following tests for those who have not been examined for more than 3 years:
What tests should I take before, during and after a course of steroids?
Depending on what anabolic steroids you plan to take, as well as in what form (tablets or injections ) , the emphasis is placed primarily when taking certain types of tests. However, there is a general tendency to donate blood and urine, which is followed by athletes who are careful about their health, which we will present below.
If your course is made up exclusively of injectable anabolic steroids, then there is little point in taking full liver tests, it will be a waste of money.
Tests that need to be taken by “chemists”
Below is a brief guide that will help answer questions for all athletes about what tests should be taken before, on time and immediately after the “chemical” course.
Before taking steroids, you should remember that interfering with your hormonal system, without the supervision of a doctor, can lead to irreparable health problems.
All information is provided for informational purposes only, and not as instructions for use.
Table of biochemical blood parameters
Go…
- Green – recommended analysis
- Yellow – analysis of medium importance
- Red – mandatory analysis
Tests before a steroid course
Before you get hooked, we strongly recommend that you take the following types of tests so that you can then compare them with tests on time and after the course and draw appropriate conclusions, as well as to identify existing health problems.
Hormone tests
- Total and free testosterone - you need to know your initial level, in fact, which we will strive for after the course
- FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) - to know possible problems with infertility, that is, with reproductive function
- LH (luteinizing hormone, a natural analogue of gonadotropin) - participates, like FSH, in the production of testosterone, we determine which one in the future after the course, it is necessary to strive for the figure
- Prolactin , if it is elevated, it is not recommended to take progestin medications; in addition, this analysis (as well as an analysis for estrogens
, primarily estradiol) will show your tendency to
gynecomastia and help determine the maximum dosage of testosterone for you, without fear of “earning” gynecomastia - Progesterone and estradiol (produced by the testicles in men; with high levels, we exclude or take with caution such drugs as nandrolone, testosterone and methandrostenolone; with low levels, it is not the best choice to gain muscle mass with the drugs trenbolone and oral turinabol. In the case of if your estradiol is low, it is recommended to try the combination of trenbolone + estradiol)
- Cortisol
- Thyroxine
Table - norm of sex hormones
General blood analysis
- Red blood cells – to detect blood diseases
- White blood cells – to identify immune problems
Blood chemistry
- Glucose - if it is elevated, during the course its level will increase even more, and this already increases the risk of developing diabetes
- Lipid profile is the ratio of “bad” and “good” cholesterol) – that is, the ratio of low-density lipoprotein LDL to high-density lipoprotein HDL, normally this ratio should be from 3:1 to 8:1, otherwise there is a risk of developing atherosclerosis
- Liver enzymes , primarily Alanine aminotransferase ( ALT ) and aspartate aminotransferase ( AST ) - if elevated, rule out liver disease. These enzymes are very often elevated in the blood when using hepatotoxic drugs, as well as in athletes who are “cutting” due to dehydration; accordingly, the more ALT and AST are secreted, the greater the liver damage. However, if these enzymes are significantly elevated before the course, this is the first sign of an impending myocardial infarction.
- Protein (total, globulins, albumins) - if low, kidney and liver disease is possible
- Bilirubin (total) - if elevated, exclude liver disease; in some cases, with significantly high bilirubin levels, the skin may acquire a yellowish tint
- Potassium, sodium, magnesium - if reduced, seizures may develop during the course, in this case additional intake is necessary
Analysis of urine
- Urea if there are excesses, exclude kidney disease
- Creatinine if there are excesses, exclude kidney disease
Table - indicators of the norm of adrenal hormones
Instrumental methods
- Blood pressure measurement also needs to be monitored during the course, especially if you plan to take drugs with strong aromatization and progestogenic activity
- ECG - to detect abnormalities in the heart
- ECHO-CG - to identify abnormalities in the heart
- Ultrasound of the liver - to detect liver pathology, especially if bilirubin and enzymes are elevated
Please note that if you have not done a cholesterol , that is, LDL/HDL , then you should not blame anabolic steroids for poor results (they only accelerate the appearance of existing problems with both the liver and blood vessels), since this process develops over the years , and only in the last stages do serious problems with the cardiovascular system begin, which are physically felt.
For those athletes who want to start smoking after 40 years , we strongly recommend checking the prostate gland for the presence of various diseases, for example, using a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test or prostate ultrasound
Tests during the steroid course (2-3 weeks after the start)
During the steroid course, we pay special attention to the cardiovascular system , controlling blood pressure and lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL).
Hormone tests
- Total and free testosterone is almost always low
- LH (luteinizing hormone, a natural analogue of gonadotropin) is almost always low
- Estrogens - if elevated, it is necessary to use antiestrogens (tamoxifen, anastrozole)
- Prolactin is necessary if you have taken progestin steroids (nandrolone, trenbolone, oxymetholone, boldenone and others).
- Cortisol - if elevated, cortisol blockers are needed
Blood chemistry
- Glucose - should be normal, if elevated, additional diagnosis of iatrogenic diabetes, that is, caused by drugs, may be required
- Cholesterol ( LDL/HDL ) - if the norm is exceeded (limit 8:1), then we begin, first of all, to exclude saturated and trans fats, and increase the consumption of Omega 3 fatty acids (in fact, this is one of the foundations of a healthy diet)
- Liver enzymes - if elevated, hepatoprotectors must be taken
- Bilirubin - if elevated, it is necessary to take hepatoprotectors (Essentiale Forte, Berlition, Karsil, Hepa-merz, Essliver, Heptral and others)
- Potassium, sodium, magnesium - necessary if cramps occur
Instrumental method
- ECG - to identify problems with the cardiovascular system
- Pressure - we control the level of blood pressure, as a rule, on a course, as a result of excessive water retention in the body, as well as an increase in the level of bad cholesterol, it increases, therefore, we remove excess water with light diuretics and consume unsaturated fatty acids (omega 3)
Table - standard values of thyroid hormones
If the course includes oral ( tablets and capsules) steroids, then we strongly recommend purchasing pumpkinol , which will protect liver cells from damage, normalizing bile outflow.
Tests after a steroid course (after 2-3 months)
An athlete should, first of all, after a steroid course, try to return the tests to their original state , that is, before the course.
Some of the main biochemical blood tests that you should take control of are:
- Total and free testosterone - if low, stimulation of secretion with boosters and gonadotropin is necessary; tamoxifen endogenous testosterone
- LH (luteinizing hormone, a natural analogue of gonadotropin) - necessary only if testosterone is low, to determine why it is low
- Prolactin – if elevated, use bromocriptine
- Estrogens - if elevated, it is necessary to use antiestrogens (to normalize the level of estradiol, Proviron , which also lowers the level of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), as a result of which the effectiveness of the course increases)
- Cortisol - if elevated, cortisol blockers are needed (usually 2-3 weeks after the course it is restored to normal, but everything will depend primarily on the dosages of AAS that you used)
- Liver enzymes hepatoprotectors throughout the course )
- We retake tests that were abnormal
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download this short guide to passing the necessary tests before, during and after a steroid course, using the link above.
Pressure check
In addition to passing certain tests, before a course of steroids you should definitely check the functioning of your cardiovascular system, which happens by measuring the athlete’s blood pressure. It is better to do this when you are completely calm and relaxed. And if it is clear that even at rest your blood pressure is elevated, then you should expect that it will rise even more in the future. This will happen due to the use of drugs with progestogenic activity or strong shock absorption, which will increase the amount of water in the body. Therefore, if you see that you have high blood pressure, you will need to abandon strong steroids in favor of weaker drugs. It is also advisable to check your blood pressure during the course of taking medications in order to adjust their intake, if necessary.
Where to get tested if you want to take steroids?
Many athletes are interested in where is the best place to get blood and urine tests when planning to take anabolic steroids. We always advise everyone to give preference private clinics, since, as a rule, they always have better, technologically advanced equipment, unlike public ones , which means there will be a more accurate analysis.
In any case, you have two ways, the first is to go to the clinic (to your attending physician), to which you are assigned at your place of residence, and complain to him about non-existent problems with your health, he, in turn, will refer you to an endocrinologist to undergo the appropriate tests, of course the list will not be all that is given on our page, but it’s free .
The second way is to go directly to a private clinic (in order to save time, install the 2GIS , and in the search bar type the query “testing”, the program will show you all the clinics that provide this service, in addition, you can read reviews about each), of course, you will have to pay for them; on average, taking all tests will cost 3-5 thousand.
Choosing a clinic before taking tests?
So, let’s emphasize the advantages of private blades:
- You don't have to wait in a "kilometer-long queue"
- Test results are accurate, fast and anonymous
In addition, there are quite a lot of private clinics in every city and you don’t have to travel to the end of the city to get an appointment with an endocrinologist in a public clinic.
The only downside is that you have to pay for all tests.
Thus, the process of taking tests in a private clinic may seem like a sweet walk, and not a “road of torture”, as in a public clinic.
Medical examination for steroid use[edit | edit code]
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Yuzhakov Anton Blood tests. List of basic tests. How and when to get tested correctly
https://youtu.be/253G_odzPd0
Yuzhakov Anton WHY KEEP ESTRADIOL IN THE NORMAL COURSE AND HOW TO DO IT
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Yuzhakov Anton Analyzes throughout the course and point starting from 2:25
Yuzhakov Anton Tests for the condition of the liver 1:20
Everyone knows that taking anabolic steroids is associated with health risks. However, the athlete has a number of tools in his arsenal that can prevent and eliminate most complications. Many problems cannot be identified without additional examinations, and when they begin to manifest themselves, treatment will be less effective. That is why, before and after the course, medical blood tests are required, as well as examination of internal organs for hidden pathological changes.
Where can I get a blood test and other tests?[edit | edit code]
- You can contact your GP and ask him to order a series of tests, which will be described below, referring to health problems. The therapist can prescribe an examination either personally or give a referral to another specialist (endocrinologist), who will take care of you in the future.
- To avoid unnecessary questions, you can contact a private clinic or laboratory (currently they are in almost every city, you can choose which blood or urine indicators you are interested in). The only drawback is that you will have to pay for all the necessary tests and diagnostics.
Advice for athletes before taking tests
In order for the tests to reflect the true picture of your health, and not a distorted one, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- All tests are taken on an empty stomach , that is, on an empty stomach (10-12 hours should pass between the last meal and the test). Glucose can not only increase blood sugar, but also reduce testosterone levels.
- During the day (24 hours), we exclude in every possible way sexual activity (sex, masturbation), which is often the culprit for incorrect levels of prolactin, LH, FSH and testosterone.
- Recent scientific studies have shown that physical stress on the human body distorts the results of tests, especially the level of androgens and thyroid hormones. Therefore, in 2 days (48 hours), we exclude any training , both strength and aerobic.
- The best time to take any tests is immediately after waking up, in the morning . That is, try to get tested after a healthy, full 8 hours of sleep . Stressful situations, including lack of sleep, can significantly distort the tests.
Advice for athletes before taking tests
As you can see, these are quite simple, but at the same time effective recommendations that will help you pass any tests correctly.
We remind you that this article does not encourage anyone to take anabolic steroids; all information is provided for informational purposes only, and not as instructions for action. Take care of yourself!
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Frequency of tests
People who do not take pharmacology, but actively train, need to be tested once every year. Monitoring your hormones and blood chemistry is very important to determine your current health status. Many diseases may not affect your well-being, but can be seen in tests. Also, how you feel can vary greatly from day to day, while tests always show an accurate current picture of your health.
People who are on the course must take tests much more often, this can be as soon as every 2-3 weeks, or once every few months.
Blood chemistry
Further, when asked about what tests you need to take before a course of steroids, experts will answer that you need to find out the biochemical composition of the blood, which will allow you to find out everything about the functioning of your organs and your state of health. Using the survey, you can find out about the level of indicators such as:
- total bilirubin, which provides information about the condition of the liver, so that its elevated level indicates problems with this organ;
- aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, which can signal heart problems, and their increase can be a harbinger of myocardial infarction;
- uric acid, which allows you to find out about the condition of the kidneys, so that its increased level indicates a malfunction in their functioning;
- glucose, which is an indicator of blood sugar levels and can signal the presence of diabetes;
- albumin, which indicates problems with the kidneys, intestines or liver when the level is low, and dehydration when the level is high;
- creatinine, which plays a critical role in energy metabolism and allows us to assess kidney function.
