Essential Health Monitoring for PED Users

For those who use Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs), maintaining vigilant health monitoring throughout the year is crucial. This is especially true during different phases of your regimen—whether you're on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), cruising, or engaging in more intense ‘blasting’ phases where stress levels peak.

Here’s a structured approach to keeping tabs on your health, ensuring you track the right biomarkers to safeguard your well-being. We will explore key health markers you should monitor, the frequency of testing, and why these indicators are vital.

1. Bloodwork:

Minimum Essential Markers:

Sex Hormone Panel: Essential for monitoring hormonal balance. This includes:

Testosterone (free and total, LC/MS assay)
Estradiol (sensitive, LC/MS assay)
Progesterone
Prolactin
SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin)

Thyroid Panel: Critical for metabolic health. Include:

TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)
Free T3
Free T4
Reverse T3

Insulin Sensitivity: To gauge metabolic function:

HbA1c
HOMA-IR (or fasted insulin and fasted blood glucose)

Prostate Health: Monitor for early signs of prostate issues:

PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen, free and total)

IGF-1: Important for growth and metabolic function.

Lipid Panel: Evaluates cardiovascular risk:

HDL, LDL, triglycerides, VLDL, total cholesterol, LDL subfractions

Blood Panel: Provides a comprehensive view of your blood health:

HCT, HMG, MCH, MCHC, MCV, RDW, red cell count, MPV, platelet count, white cell count, immature granulocyte count

Kidney Function: Monitors renal health:

eGFR, urea, creatinine

Liver Function: Assesses liver health:

ALT, AST, bilirubin, BUN, albumin, GGT

Metabolic Panel: For overall metabolic balance:

Calcium, potassium, carbon dioxide, protein (ferritin), sodium

Vitamin D: Essential for bone health and immune function:

Vitamin D (25-hydroxy)

Inflammatory Marker: Helps identify chronic inflammation:

C-reactive protein (high sensitivity)

2. Beyond Bloodwork: Additional Health Checks

Bloodwork is crucial, but it is not the only aspect of health monitoring. To get a holistic view of your health status, consider incorporating these additional assessments:

Annual Echocardiogram: Evaluates heart health and function.
Blood Glucose Monitoring: Regular checks to manage and assess diabetes risk.
Blood Pressure Monitoring: Vital for detecting hypertension and cardiovascular issues.
Bi-Yearly Urinalysis: Provides insights into kidney function and overall health.

For PED users, proactive health monitoring is not just a recommendation—it’s a necessity. Regular testing and tracking of these biomarkers help you stay informed about your body’s responses and catch potential issues early. This ensures you maintain your health effectively while engaging in PED usage, ultimately leading to a safer and more informed experience

1 comment