Blood test before/during HRT test for what exactly?

[Keroppi]

What do the blood test immediately before and regularly after one start HRT actually test for? And is there any other thing a doctor do to monitor someone's who's on HRT's health. Blood pressure for example?

[Janet_Girl]

Generally they get a baseline for the liver function and where your hormone levels are at now.  Then as you go thru HRT they can check to see when and if they need to make changes.

[Keroppi]

I was thinking more specifically what hormones and or chemicals they test for. i.e. Total testosterone level, oestrogen 2 level, free androgen index, prolactin level, blood pressure, potassium level, ... ?

[Muffin]

depends on your doctor or who you see... this is what I've been tested for and may be generally the same for others.. but don't quote me... I usually just get the basics done I think I only had blood done early on.

liver:
bilirubin
alkaline phosphatase
gamma glutamyl transferase
alanine transaminase
total protein
albumin
globulin
ALP
GGT
ALT

----------------------------

sex hormones:
testosterone
sex hormone binding globulin
calc. free testosterone (CFT)
SHBG
oestradiol
progesterone
prolactin

Thyroid function:
TSH

Blood (haematology):
red cell count
haematocrit
haemoglobin
MCV
MCH
MCHC
RDW
Platelets
white cell count
neutrophils
lymphocytes
monocytes
eosinophils
basophils
RBC folate


--------------------------------------------

When I had anaemia I was also tested for B12, iron & folate and a few other things. When I had hyperprolactinemia my prolactin levels where done more regularly.

[JennX]

I was thinking more specifically what hormones and or chemicals they test for. i.e. Total testosterone level, oestrogen 2 level, free androgen index, prolactin level, blood pressure, potassium level, ... ?

Most docs are divided into 2 schools of thought and prescribed HRT:

1. Some docs like to closely monitor your T level and get it in to the normal female range and keep it there. This is usually the total T level (not total + free).

2. Other docs like to more closely monitor your E level and get it in to the normal female range and keep it there. Total E2 (estradiol) level.

Rarely will you find an endo that monitors both. Although you can request the extra test if you desire.

At the first visit and periodically afterwards, liver function and potassium levels will also be monitored, but unless something is unusual, most endos will be more interested in either your total T or E2 levels as for adjusting your meds and dosages.

[lilacwoman]

about three years ago I finally convinced my GP to get my a blood test for HRT but when the two page printout came back none of the doctors at the clinic knew what the figures meant as I was first TS they had dealt with.
Their catchment area was about 30,000 which shows that TS are quite rare.

[Kairi]

And how often are blood tests taken?

[Keroppi]

And if one is or is considering *cough cough* self medicating, where can one get such blood test done? Would one's GP agree to it, or maybe it's available privately somewhere?

[Muffin]

It depends what stage you are at. When first starting HRT or AAs you want to be tested more frequently. The first year of HRT is when problems are most likely to occur, personally I had two things come up in that period that without tests I would of been oblivious to.
It's usually 6-8 weeks apart to begin with and then 3 months apart once you're say beyond 6-12 months. It takes approximately six months of standard doses for your hormone levels to readjust to the new levels. I say approximately as everyone's different.
Your GP would be more than willing to send you for blood tests needless to say and it's a good idea to request a print out for yourself as well so if you ever see an endo etc you can show that you've been doing the right thing.