Questions about Lab Testing
Find answers to commonly asked questions about Lab Testing, administration, and benefits.
What labs do you run to analyze libido on TRT? My provider just runs total test, E2, and hematocrit.
For libido concerns a provider will typically check total and free T, SHBG, DHT, prolactin, and estradiol. Sometimes it thyroid function testing is do...
Do your patients regularly donate blood?
Some do, most don’t. At a glance, roughly 5-7% of patients on the AlphaMD platform regularly donate blood.
did bloods 4 weeks into treatment of 50mg Test E x2 week+ 500iu x3 week SHBG 14/nmol FSH <0.3 iu/l LH < 0.3 iu/l Oestradiol 168 pmol/l Test 41 Nmol/l...
Your lab results look good considering your dose. However, considering the half-life, you usually are better off waiting 7-8 weeks after starting to g...
What do you measure when doing full labs, and where do you want those to sit? Just anywhere in the standard medical range, or are there ones that you ...
Providers tend to start with basic labs pre-TRT, then order larger labs after the first 8-12 weeks depending on symptoms & needs from there. Many men ...
How are blood tests handled? Do you submit a requisition? I like Labcorp, but if I have to order direct with them it’s very costly. Do you guys by cha...
For testing - Yes & no. We do work with LabCorp or any lab, and the provider overseeing your care will submit a requisition when requested by you for ...
Do you feel it’s necessary to donate blood on TRT? I’ve seen some dialogue saying that high rbc from TRT isn’t dangerous and is misunderstood
This subject is a nuanced discussion, but I will try to simplify it for the purpose of this AMA. High hematocrit means thicker blood. Thicker blood me...
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I’m currently with Blokes and just on enclo. I’m thinking about switching to injectable test. The problem with Blokes is if I need help (say E2 is too...
Injectable testosterone does have it's benefits over Enclomiphene, namely IGF-1 production is restricted & you'll get more physical benefits out of ...
Regarding TRT, what are the most important blood tests that you check for?
For initial diagnosis that would be total testosterone, free testosterone, and LH. For monitoring TRT it’s usually total and free testosterone, estrad...
As someone who just restarted TRT after 6 months off trying to see if my body would restart, I wish I’d reached out to you guys as well. What is the p...
All that's needed to get started is labs that are less than 12 months old. Transferring over is easy — you'll start with a brief consultation with a l...
If my labs come back with let’s say tt of 750 and I have no side effects but still no libido and feeling OK, but still like I was befor trt maybe a l...
Let's take a look at that TT first. First, what age are you (or age range)? Second, what was your TT before you started therapy? The younger you are t...
How closely do you help monitor blood tests with the patient?
In general, a licensed provider orders blood tests for all new patients or accepts recent lab work in place of that. If they're an established TRT pat...
Have you ever turned down someone for treatment, or do you prescribe cookie cutter programs to literally everyone who signs up regardless of labs, pot...
I understand haha, that's what it feels like sometimes with many online TRT clinics. We have team members who have/use other TRT providers so that we ...
Do you require bloodwork? What test levels are you shooting for? My current clinic shoots for 1100.
Yes, providers do require bloodwork, most TRT companies will since Testosterone is a controlled substance & it's good to have this info on file even i...
What are some important things to include on a blood test to diagnose low T?
Labs can be expensive, so I will list the most essential ones for diagnosis and treatment. I will also point out that there are different types of as...
As an online clinic, how are you able to collect regular blood samples?
We primarily partner with testing companies who sent kits to patient's houses. Many digital TRT companies have contracts with LabCorp or Quest Diagnos...
Do you test for free T, shbg, etc… I feel like my current provider just run basic test and doesn’t get the whole picture. I have been on for a year no...
When someone starts out, a simple test tends to be the starting point as well, though that's decided on with the provider during the initial consulta...
So someone who is using 200mg vs someone who is using 100mg and both of their labs show ~1000 test levels irregardless of weight/fat that just means i...
Providers on the platform see this tends to be very individual. Like your example, some men on 90mg/wk have total T's around 1000, while others need 2...
What's the most appropriate schedule for labs, and what labs do you suggest getting every single time?
This will vary a bit based on health, age, and dosage. For a younger gentleman with an average dose & no notation of side effects during treatment, th...
Can you treat a New York based patient? How would you do the blood work and how often? How much would that cost?
We are happy to work with New York patients! New York is a very weird state when it comes to lab testing, they have a lot of odd laws about it. We lik...
I’m currently going through a local clinic that frankly charges too much and expects labs too frequently, what’s the process like to switch to your cl...
Many TRT transfer patients come to AlphaMD. All we ask is that we get a copy of your current regimen and that you meet with a licensed provider to tal...
I have been on TRT for three years and just had labs done, if I were to change to you, would I need to pay this initial consultation as I wouldn't nee...
Yes, generally - we set you up with a provider to meet with you instead of a normal initial consultant. That way they can verify everything with you d...
One thing I can't find on your site is how do you handle labs and how often you require them. Are they part of the $129 a month, or do you require the...
Our initial consultation price pays for a Testosterone testing kit to be shipped to you. It's fairly cheap considering it's paying for both that & the...
If I were interested in becoming a patient of your clinic, could I forward you my current lab work or would we need new labs? My current lab work is ...
We are happy to take current lab work from a patient new to TRT or past lab work/prescription from a current TRT patient transferring over. No need to...
I'm afraid I have low T levels. Is there a way to test for T levels without drawing blood?
There are some tests out there that don't involve blood at all, but a good middle ground would be a finger prick test. It's not a needle in your arm, ...
What’s relative hypogonadism?
Relative hypogonadism is a term for men who have symptoms of hypogonadism, despite having lab tests that fall within the normal range based on lab va...
Why do I get such an amazing result with Test C? As compared to either Test P or Test C? Isn't Test C technically weaker than the other ethanates?
It is likely that by following the appropriate injection routine with Test C that you are going to maintain a better overall Testosterone level consta...
Can you guys send me something to get labs done? I’m an existing patient
Absolutely. Would you head over to this location & select "Member Contact" and shoot us a message? https://www.alphamd.org/profile It should be near ...
How often do you test hormone levels? My current provider checks me every 3 months.
Testing & re-testing are adjusted based on the patient to better meet their needs or means. When someone starts with us, their provider will order ba...
Do you guys only require a at home test? What about other stuff like lipids ? I have a blood panel from last week. Could you take that for step 1?
Yes, providers on the platform work with at-home tests, & AlphaMD sends the kits out when needed. Extra markers like lipids are not as important when ...
When do you recommend doing labs? I’m on 140 mg test-c split into two weekly injections. It’s been five weeks since I started. Planning to get labs do...
Your plan is a sound one. It's best not to test until week 7 or 8 if you're going to be testing. Labs are important if you're having side effects or l...
I’m with a clinic and they’ve told me HCT levels up to 57% are acceptable and my SHBG being low at 12 nmol/l they said it’s fine. What are your guide...
For HC anything around 51% and a provider would typically advise donating blood somewhat regularly to make sure it stays under control, especially bec...
If I’ve been on trt for 6 months but would like to switch to you guys, do I need to do labs again and all the stuff? Or can I just send you my most re...
About 35% of patients on the AlphaMD platform come from other clinics. The provider overseeing your care can continue your regimen, review current lab...
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