Bloodwork

I get a lot of questions from people on bloodwork.

From “What tests should I get?” to, “Should I go on TRT?”

I’ll tackle the top 4 Q’s here.

Let’s dive in…

1. What tests to get?

I recommend eliminating guesswork by getting comprehensive panels done.

Those include: CBC, CMP, lipid panel, sex hormones, and a thyroid panel.

Here’s a full breakdown:

2. Where to get them?

The best is going through a doctor who gets wholesale pricing for labs. My performance doc is a G and orders them at cost.

Life Extension website is another option. Easy to use, reasonable pricing, order al la carte, and you don’t need a doctor’s approval.

Just search these tests on their website:

1. Weight Loss Panel (Comprehensive)

2. FSH and LH

3. SHBG

4. IGF-1

Third option - go to your family doctor and try to get it covered by insurance. But brush up on your negotiation skills first. You’re gonna need it.

I know a friend who had to argue with his physician just to get his testosterone checked.

The doc kept pushing back saying it was dangerous for him to know that information 😂

I had a similar situation happen to me a few years back. Instead of bloodwork, he recommended I get the vax 🤦‍♂️

Ever since then, I found it best to take measures into my own hands.

3. How to analyze results?

Option 1: If you like to DIY, you can upload your results in ChatGPT. 

Drag-n-drop the PDF you get from the lab, give it a prompt to spot any red flags and ask for recommendations on food, vitamins, and supplements to optimize your levels.

For more accurate results, transcribe into a spreadsheet first—perfect task for a VA.

Option 2: You can join an online community that specializes in bloodwork analysis, where you can learn from others.

Option 3: Contact a men’s health specialist who has experience looking at bloodwork and optimizing levels. 

Just make sure it’s someone you can have a conversation with and get all your questions answered… not some cookie cutter clinic.

4. Should you go on TRT?

To answer this, first ask, “What symptom am I trying to solve?”

If it’s low energy, it could be a number of things…

A vitamin deficiency, a thyroid issue, maybe even a low red blood cell count.

Low testosterone isn’t the only culprit.

But if you’re trying to solve for low energy, mood, and libido or inability to build muscle and burn fat…

The problem usually lies within one of these two hormone panels:

Sex Hormones: Total Testosterone, Free Testosterone, SHBG, Estradiol, LH, FSH, Cortisol

Thyroid Hormones: TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3

Once you know what areas you’re deficient in, you can start taking action.

If you have high SHBG, high estradiol, high cortisol, low LH, and/or low free T3…

These are all contributing factors to low T.

If you have bad sleep, high stress, poor diet/nutrition, and excess body fat…

These also contribute to low T.

Optimize those first for 2-4 months using natural methods then retest and see where you’re at.

It’s a holistic approach.

Just like a house, you have to look at more than just the foundation and roof. You also have to make sure the plumbing, electrical and HVAC are good to go too.

Until next time,

Darryl

PS. If you want to ask questions, get feedback and direct access to me, join my free online community here.

PPS. If you want to order labs at a discount, go here. Sign up if you’re not a member (it’s free), go to “Classroom” tab and pick either beginner, intermediate or advanced panel.