Panels members bring

A starting list to discuss with your clinician, who decides what you actually need.

• Blood count (CBC): hematocrit, hemoglobin
• Lipids: HDL, LDL, triglycerides
• Metabolic panel: liver enzymes (ALT, AST), kidney markers (creatinine, eGFR), glucose
• Hormones: total and free testosterone, estradiol, LH, FSH, prolactin
• HbA1c
• PSA, where a clinician recommends it
• Plus a home blood pressure log

Getting tested

• Ask your clinician first. They can order the right panel and explain it.
• Many places also have direct-to-consumer lab services.
• Test at the same time of day and in similar conditions each time, fasting if the panel asks, so results compare.
• Keep every report. Trends matter more than any single result.

Reading a result

• Compare against the reference range printed on your report. Ranges and units differ between labs.
• One result is a snapshot. Look at the trend.
• A flagged value is a conversation with your clinician, not a forum diagnosis.

Posting it safely

• Black out your name, date of birth, address, patient ID, barcode, and clinic name.
• Keep the units and reference ranges visible.
• Add the date and context: training block, sleep, illness, anything unusual.
• Say what you are asking.