Pre HRT Blood Tests

[Josephine]

Hi, Can someone tell me what they look for when doing blood tests? I am hoping that I am healthy enough to get my hormones. After my therapist approved it, I have my first Dr. appointment on August 12th. Also, how long does it usually take for them to give a script after your first appointment? I am anxious to start, to say the least!!

[Jorja]

They will be looking for what your current Testosterone level is in particular and how your liver and kidneys are functioning. They are setting a baseline. This is so they can tell if the HRT is doing the job or if you start to develop liver problems. Other than that, they will be looking to see that other levels are within the "normal" range for a person your age,height, and weight. It usually takes a week or so for them to get blood results back. Then they should write the prescription if all is good.

[Angela Campbell]

My doctor took the blood and wrote the prescription on my first visit.

[Alexis.j]

Blood tests are just baseline tests, and a also to check cholesterol levels, liver condition etc.
I had bloodwork done on first endo visit, prescription was given and I was told to start the spiro, and he will call me in a few days with the go-ahead to start the magic blue pills ;-)
When he phoned he said tests are fine and to be aware of my highish cholesterol levels ( which tends to increase with estrogen usage).

[sandra-leigh]

Yes, same as Alexis for me: liver, kidney, cholesterol, testosterone, estrogen. I do not recall if they tested anything else.

[whowhatwhen]

I'm already on HRT but here is the bloodwork I need to do in a few days for my upcoming endo appointment.

Glucose
Creatinine (eGFR)
Sodium
Potassium
Chloride
ALT
Alk. Phosphatase
Lipid Assessment (Cholesterol, ect)
LS, FSH
Testosterone
Estradiol
Prolactin

[PretzelGirl]

I don't think I can list all of the things that were tested. My doc was pretty thorough. But when I went, she handed me the prescriptions and the nurse came in to draw blood. So it was completely for a baseline on me.

[LeaP]

List of mine below - I like to keep a spreadsheet with results for each from each test. Most of these are are prepackaged panels of tests, not individual requests.



"WBC
(count of the total number of white blood cells in a person's sample of blood)"
"RBC
(count of the actual number of red blood cells in a person's sample of blood)"
"Hemoglobin
(amount of the oxygen-carrying protein in the blood)"
"Hematocrit
(% of a person's blood that consists of red blood cells)"
"MCV
(Measures the size of red blood cells. Larger or smaller than normal red blood cells may indicate anemia)"
"MCH
(Measures the amount of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Low levels indicate anemia)"
"MCHC
(Measures the amount of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Low level indicates anemia)"
"RDW
(Measures the range of sizes of red blood cells in a blood sample. RDW results are often used together with MCV results to determine possible cause of anemia when anemia is indicated by other test results)"
"Platelet Count
(number of platelets in sample)"
"MPV
(Calculation of the average size of platelets. Higher-than-normal MPV is associated with an increased risk of heart attacks and stroke.)"
Glucose
Sodium
Potassium
Chloride
"Carbon Dioxide
(dehydration and diuretics can elevate results ... Spiro)"
"Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
(Used to evaluate kidney function)"
"Creatinine
(Used to evaluate kidney function)"
"BUN/Creatinine Ratio
(Spiro can increase)"
Calcium
Alkaline Phosphatase
Protein, Total
Albumin
Globulin
Fasting
Estradiol
Estriol
Vitamin D, 25 Hydroxy
Prolactin
Testosterone, Total, Adult Males
PSA (total)

[Ann Thomas]

Mine is an extensive list as well, with about 8 vials drawn. I went the slow route and started estrogen first (Estradiol) and then my endo doc added the Spiro a few weeks later. I wanted to see the difference in side effects, which they are significantly different for me. The blood tests came first, then the scripts came after results were back and we reviewed them. I also wanted to find out the cancer risk related to the meds and found current research at this point shows no change in risk.

[Josephine]

Thank you everyone for your feedback! It looks like the tests are all over the place, as far as what is done, how long it takes to get the results, and what you get for a script. I don't have any ailments that would hinder my chances so it seems. There is no cancer in my family heredity, so that's a good thing. Is there anyone from Minnesota that would tell me if they got their meds right away, or had to wait?