Lab Testing
13 articles tagged “Lab Testing”
Protocols & Results

DHT on TRT: When to Test It and When to Lower It
DHT rises 2-3x on TRT. Here is when the biomarker actually matters, when to test, and what to do before reaching for finasteride or dutasteride.

Testosterone Blood Test Timing: When to Draw Labs
When to draw testosterone labs -- time of day, day of week, fasting, peak vs trough, and how long to wait after a dose change. Evidence-based timing rules.

T:E2 Ratio on TRT: Target 12-22 for Libido & Mood
Why your testosterone-to-estradiol ratio predicts libido and erections better than either number alone. Target ranges, math, and protocol fixes.

TRT Bloodwork Schedule: When to Test on TRT
The exact lab panels and timing for TRT monitoring -- from baseline through year one and beyond. Trough draws, what to skip, and when to flag results.

Low SHBG on TRT: Why 200mg Doesn't Work for You
Low SHBG burns through testosterone fast. Learn why split doses, daily injections, and chasing total T fail when SHBG is below 20.

High Hematocrit on TRT: When to Worry & How to Fix
Hematocrit climbing on TRT? Learn the exact thresholds, 4 proven management strategies, and when elevated red blood cells actually become dangerous.

Estradiol on TRT: Treating High vs Crashed E2
Crashed estradiol on TRT causes joint pain, fatigue, low libido. The AI dose tweaks, lab targets, and protocol changes that pull E2 back to range.
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Free Testosterone Calculator: Vermeulen Equation
How to calculate free testosterone from total T, SHBG, and albumin -- which equation labs use, why values differ, and what numbers actually matter on TRT.

Women's Testosterone Test: When & What to Order
Test on days 3-7 of your cycle or results are wrong. Which panels to order, optimal vs normal ranges, and how to read your results.

Read Your Testosterone Labs: 6 Key Markers
Your doctor spent 90 seconds on your results. Here's what total T, free T, SHBG, E2, and hematocrit actually mean for your protocol.

How to Test Testosterone: Timing, Panels & Cost
When to draw blood, what to order, where to get tested, and how much it costs. Step-by-step testosterone testing guide.

Why 305 and 950 ng/dL Are Both 'Normal'
Lab ranges span a 3x difference and call it all 'normal.' Age-adjusted ranges, free T context, and when low-normal still needs treatment.

Total vs Free Testosterone: Which Matters More?
How testosterone binds to SHBG and albumin, why free T is often more important, and clinical scenarios where total and free diverge.