Testosterone blood tests?

Hi all,

So I would like to get some blood work done to see what my testosterone levels are like - whether they are normal, on the lower side or higher side. No specific reason, I am really just curious.

However I have seen on the forum that there seems to be a few different tests for testosterone and I am not sure which ones I should get and am hoping you can all assist me with that.

Also does anyone have a rough idea how much each test costs (doubt my medical aid covers it and don't want to get ripped off).

Thanks,
Psy


EDIT: Also any other tests I should consider getting done? Anything hormone related or what not?
I want to get a general check up done at the same time, so might as well get more blood drawn and get the testosterone done. So let me know if anything else is recommended to be checked.

Thanks guys!

Total T, Free T, LH is all you need

Not meaning to hijack this thread, but:

Can one simply walk into a place like Lancet and have your blood taken and tested?

yep, you can your medical aid wont pay for it but if you pay cash they don't worry

Muscleaddict wrote: Total T, Free T, LH is all you need

Thanks, will get those ones done. Any estimation as to how much it would cost on average for all of the above?

Spoke to ampath now and they said for Total Test, Free Test and LH its R529.80

thread hijack! :silly: @steenkamp answer your phone!

NightFang wrote: Not meaning to hijack this thread, but:

Can one simply walk into a place like Lancet and have your blood taken and tested?

If only!

You'll need one of those forms completed by your doc.

pornflakes wrote:

NightFang wrote: Not meaning to hijack this thread, but:

Can one simply walk into a place like Lancet and have your blood taken and tested?

If only!

You'll need one of those forms completed by your doc.

Really? I called Lancet now and they said I can just stop by any time.
They are open 24/7 at Sandton Mediclinic. :silly:


I also want to do a general test, at my age apparently that consists of Liver, kidney, thyroid and a few other things. Doctor said to just stop by his place and pick up the form.
So perhaps I will get one when I am there just incase.

On topic, if you get tested through your gp most medical aids will likely cover costs.

NightFang wrote: Not meaning to hijack this thread, but:

Can one simply walk into a place like Lancet and have your blood taken and tested?

Lancet will take your Mandelas without so much as a doctor's name.

OK, so got the Lancet form from my Doctor which contains the general check up stuff and the codes for those.

I am now trying to find the testosterone tests but all I can find is "LH" and "Testosterone / FTI". It does not state anything about Total Testosterone and Free Testosterone.

Any ideas?

Post the list under the endocrine section. We'll guide you. FTI free testosterone indicator. LH luteinizing hormone.

Furk wrote: Post the list under the endocrine section. We'll guide you. FTI free testosterone indicator. LH luteinizing hormone.

Under General Endocrine:

• Hirsutism Profile
• Testosterone / FTI
• DHEA
• Androstenedione
• 17-OH Progesterone
• Interfility Screen
• E2
• Progesterone
• FSH
• LH
• Prolactin
• Anti-mullerian Hormone
• ACTH - on ice
• Cortisol
• Cortisol - 24hr urine free
• Gastrin - fasting
• Growth Hormone
• Insulin
• IGF1 + IGFBP3
• Parathyroid Hormone

Also this is a bit off topic, but I see the doctor listed me for a "U & E / Creatinine" blood test.
I am taking Creatine, which from what I have read turns into Creatinine. Would that effect the results at all and possibly be an issue?

Nobody?

Sorry bud, I'm clueless... Sure a mod will jump in soon

I hope someone knows.

Although I think the Testosterone / FTI is two blood tests as I had to get the service codes for my medical aid and when I gave them that code they gave me two back. Of which one is covered for and the other not. I think Total Testosterone is covered and Free Test is not.
Also LH is not covered so I will be paying for those tests out of my pocket however if it is around R600 for all three that is fine then. Doubt I will pay more than R500 for the LH and Free Test.

Worst case scenario I pay R600 for all three.

If you tick the testosterone block they give you results on total and free test.
It confused the hell out of me the first time to not being able to find the free test option.

Thank for the update friends, it time I too join the line and have my bloods done, its been a while.

Rhino wrote: If you tick the testosterone block they give you results on total and free test.
It confused the hell out of me the first time to not being able to find the free test option.

Perfect, thanks for the confirmation!

PsyCLown wrote:

Furk wrote: Post the list under the endocrine section. We'll guide you. FTI free testosterone indicator. LH luteinizing hormone.

Under General Endocrine:

• Hirsutism Profile
• Testosterone / FTI
• DHEA
• Androstenedione
• 17-OH Progesterone
• Interfility Screen
• E2
• Progesterone
• FSH
• LH
• Prolactin
• Anti-mullerian Hormone
• ACTH - on ice
• Cortisol
• Cortisol - 24hr urine free
• Gastrin - fasting
• Growth Hormone
• Insulin
• IGF1 + IGFBP3
• Parathyroid Hormone

Also this is a bit off topic, but I see the doctor listed me for a "U & E / Creatinine" blood test.
I am taking Creatine, which from what I have read turns into Creatinine. Would that effect the results at all and possibly be an issue?

Sorry for absence PsyCLown. Testosterone / FTI and LH. And if I was you FSH as well. Up to you bud. Don't worry about the creatine thing.

Furk wrote:

PsyCLown wrote:

Furk wrote: Post the list under the endocrine section. We'll guide you. FTI free testosterone indicator. LH luteinizing hormone.

Under General Endocrine:

• Hirsutism Profile
• Testosterone / FTI
• DHEA
• Androstenedione
• 17-OH Progesterone
• Interfility Screen
• E2
• Progesterone
• FSH
• LH
• Prolactin
• Anti-mullerian Hormone
• ACTH - on ice
• Cortisol
• Cortisol - 24hr urine free
• Gastrin - fasting
• Growth Hormone
• Insulin
• IGF1 + IGFBP3
• Parathyroid Hormone

Also this is a bit off topic, but I see the doctor listed me for a "U & E / Creatinine" blood test.
I am taking Creatine, which from what I have read turns into Creatinine. Would that effect the results at all and possibly be an issue?

Sorry for absence PsyCLown. Testosterone / FTI and LH. And if I was you FSH as well. Up to you bud. Don't worry about the creatine thing.

Sorry for the delayed response, I get busy with other things and do not check the site for a few days at a time.

I got my blood taken this morning, what is FSH?
I did not get the LH done as the nurse said its not needed as its a female hormone, however the labs keep the blood for 5 days so I can always add it again if need be.


I have never taken any AAS or anything of that sort, I am really just curious about what my normal / base levels are. So it is still certainly recommended to get the LH done as well?

Also FSH?!?!

Chances are I will not be cycling until next year sometime.

PsyCLown wrote: I got my blood taken this morning, what is FSH?
I did not get the LH done as the nurse said its not needed as its a female hormone, however the labs keep the blood for 5 days so I can always add it again if need be.


I have never taken any AAS or anything of that sort, I am really just curious about what my normal / base levels are. So it is still certainly recommended to get the LH done as well?

Also FSH?!?!

Chances are I will not be cycling until next year sometime.

You ask us for our advice, you don't take it, and now you want more advice? :blink: That ticks me off.

LH is one of the most important things to test for men who use or plan to use steroids. Without LH your balls can not make testosterone. LH is most definitely not a female hormone.

FSH stimulates sperm production. Without it you are sterile.

That nurse doesn't know what we are investigating (possible low natural test) and what we are to find out (your eligibility for juicing) . Of course she will tell you something different.

Yes, but even if you're a man who's never done any steroids, but you suspect you have low testosterone then your doc will always test LH. Anyway, I hope the test results come back looking good.