Blood Work to get HRT?

[bcaamuscle]

I have a dr appt coming up in the next few days and I want to get some bloodwork done. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't pursuing HRT. So, in light of this, what should I be asking for in a blood panel? I have very low libido these days so I wouldn't be surprised if something is broken, probably from PH's years ago.

I've compiled this list, I'm wondering if I missed anything:

Progesterone
Estradiol
FSH
LH
SHBG
DHEA
Androstenedione
Androstenediol
Total Test
Free Test
Prolactin

Thanks for the input

 

[alpha6164]

That is a hell of a list of tests, and will be very expensive at a doctor's office. If a patient walked into my office complaining of low libido, fatigue etc. I would run the following tests:

CBC with differential
Complete metabolic panel (liver, kidney etc)
Thyroid panel
Total Test
Free Test


That is all i need to tell me what is going on initially. I may do further testing depending on what i get but it does not require you to throw in everything and the kitchen sink. Hope that helps.

 

[warrior504th]

I agree with alpha. Way too many. His list is all I get on my post cycle initial tests

Sent from my HTC Inspire

 

[jrod]

Hell if you have good insurance I would get a full metabolic and hormone panel done

 

[turbobusa]

That is a hell of a list of tests, and will be very expensive at a doctor's office. If a patient walked into my office complaining of low libido, fatigue etc. I would run the following tests:

CBC with differential
Complete metabolic panel (liver, kidney etc)
Thyroid panel
Total Test
Free Test


That is all i need to tell me what is going on initially. I may do further testing depending on what i get but it does not require you to throw in everything and the kitchen sink. Hope that helps.

That is about what my doc ran. I think you would have a big labs bill. I don't think most insurance will pay for shotgunning tests like that but I may be wrong.T

 

[alpha6164]

That is about what my doc ran. I think you would have a big labs bill. I don't think most insurance will pay for shotgunning tests like that but I may be wrong.T

You are a 100% correct. If you have insurance most will deny a large set of labs. Most people dont understand insurance companies are here to deny claims not to actually pay them. Every single blood tests that leaves my office has to have an icd9 diagnosis code attached to basically telling the insurance company what is the reason for this test.

For example:

I can use "fatigue" as a diagnosis and run Test levels, thyroid etc. But cant run Estradiol, progestrone etc and host of other panels. And most of them are attached to diagnosis for female disorders which automatically rule you out getting the test paid for as a guy.

 

[waynaferd]

Now if you guys don't mind, what does all those tests cost, roughly? Just the basics for HRT/TRT, anyway?

I'm not quite sure what my insurance will cover so I'd like to have an idea first...Thanks!!

 

[alpha6164]

Now if you guys don't mind, what does all those tests cost, roughly? Just the basics for HRT/TRT, anyway?

I'm not quite sure what my insurance will cover so I'd like to have an idea first...Thanks!!

It all depends on what contract your doc has with the lab such as Quest or Lab Corp. But as cash patient i would guess no more than $200-250 for what i listed. But it can change depending on how much the medical office is raising the price over their cost.

 

[jack of all]

If you pay out of pocket you can get all that stuff for about $300. Webmdlabs.com I think. I get one of these once a year and then get a few other various test done throughout the year. I think it is their ultimate anti aging panel.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

 

[bcaamuscle]

I am in Canada so I'm not really worried about the cost. Thanks for the response alpha, I'm going to attempt to get a reference to see an endo and, if I can get in to see one, I'll be bringing my gf with me so that we can doubleteam him to make sure this problem gets solved (talk about quality of life, relationship strain etc.)

 

[Mad-Bull]

Goodluck bro let us know how it goes, I want to hear some digits

 

[waynaferd]

Swwet....Thanks for the prices!!

 

[norp]

At 45 I had no problem getting HRT in Canada. OHIP covered all the lab costs.