If you get the initial blood test to check levels before T how long is that test good for? Hypothetically could I get that test done and then say a year later go on T without having to have another initial blood test?

No.  That's probably too long.  Hormone levels can change due to many different causes.  But in the end the Dr. will decide to accept the test or not.


Sapere Aude

Yeah agreed. I think they might test you again right before just to double check things. I'd personally want that double check..

What is the reasonable time frame between blood tests and T shots? How long did you wait between them?

Quote from: Alexthecat on January 22, 2016, 02:09:56 PM
What is the reasonable time frame between blood tests and T shots? How long did you wait between them?

my endo gets me to do it 4 days after my last shot before i see him. so this is how it would go for me: say i have an appointment with my endo on the 1st of february. my last shot before i see him would be the 25th of january (this monday coming up). i'd do my shot on the 25th, i'd get my blood work done on the 29th of feb, and i'd see my endo on the 1st of feb.

my endo also made me wait a week before i started T so he could get my results and call me if anything went wrong. so i went to see him, he gave me my prescription and told me to get my blood tests done and wait a week after my blood test in case something came up.

I know that I'm not the one you're asking but my T once increased by something over 250 points in less than a year by simply stopping running and  letting my body rest.  So I imagine the timeline is pretty short.


Sapere Aude

You were both helpful. I didn't want to waste money on a blood test that would essentially be useless in a week.

Quote from: Alexthecat on January 22, 2016, 02:29:05 PM
You were both helpful. I didn't want to waste money on a blood test that would essentially be useless in a week.

honestly just wait until the doctor advises you to get a blood test done for T.

I got my initial test 3 weeks before starting T, and I got another 3 months later to see where I was. In that time, I had gone from the female range for T into the higher end of average on the male range. Hormones fluctuate all the time.

You really wouldn't want to wait that long between tests. Aside from the changes and side effects, there's no way to tell internally how your body is responding to T. In addition to the testosterone test, my doctor runs tests to look at my red blood cell count and my kidney/liver function. You'll want to have that information ASAP if something isn't right.

I'm sure it'll vary by doctor. Mine tells people in advance that if they don't show up to quarterly appointments and blood work for the first year, that she won't approve refills. After the first year, she wants people in twice a year. After the second year, annually. So perhaps once you've been on T for a little while, you can get away with a yearly visit. But I would guess not right away.

My doctor has me come in at the mid-point in my shot cycle for blood work. I come back and see her about a week later and we go over results.

Hope this helps!

For my first blood test before starting T, I had it done two weeks before I was prescribed (it wasn't until one or two weeks after that I actually started my injections). At the three month appointment I was just asked when my last injection was before the test so that would factor in when being evaluated. I didn't have my six month appointment until about a month late (the doctor already knew this would the case). I wouldn't say that is ideal but luckily I haven't been having any problems. Needless to say I don't recommend waiting like that.

Quote from: Alexthecat on January 22, 2016, 01:43:50 PM
If you get the initial blood test to check levels before T how long is that test good for? Hypothetically could I get that test done and then say a year later go on T without having to have another initial blood test?

They will want it right before they prescribe you T.  Too, they are going to want certain tests run and it is possible that asking your doctor for a "full panel", will not include everything they are interested in.  No way they will let you bring a year old test in.  They want to see how T effects how your body is NOW, not how it would effect how a person's body was a year prior.