Advanced TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) Blood Test

Proteins (4  Biomarker)

Proteins are essential for muscle growth as well as the operation of cells and tissues. Blood proteins are measured to assist in the diagnosis of various illnesses, such as liver or kidney disease.

It is common practise to analyse proteins to determine how much of a specific hormone is bound to a protein or free and thus available to your cells. Proteins also transport other chemicals, such as hormones, throughout the blood.

Dehydration is a common cause of elevated proteins, but they can also be a sign of other health issues. A significant protein deficiency may be a sign of malnutrition or malabsorption.

Albumin

A protein called albumin is mostly produced in the liver. It aids in generating the osmotic pressure necessary to keep water in the blood. It is crucial for tissue growth and repair and aids in the transportation of nutrients, medicines, and other chemicals via the blood.

By evaluating albumin levels in the blood, we can determine how much hormone is available to your tissues. Albumin also transports hormones throughout the body.

Globulin

The term "globulin" refers to a variety of proteins that the liver and immune system create. While certain globulins transport metals like iron in the blood, others bind with haemoglobin

. In addition, there is a specific class of globulin called an immunoglobulin, which is another name for an antibody and aids in the body's defence against infection.

SHBG

The majority of the sex hormones, including testosterone, oestrogen, and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), are bound to Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG), rendering them inactive in your cells.

The amount of free or unbound hormones, which are biologically active and available for usage, can be determined by measuring the level of SHBG in your blood.

Total Protein

The total protein in your blood is the sum of the proteins albumin and globulin. Among their many jobs, albumin and globulin keep blood in vessels, deliver nutrients, and combat infection.

A liver or renal problem as well as malnutrition may be indicated by abnormal levels.

Thyroid Hormones (3 Biomarkers)

A gland at the front of your neck called the thyroid makes hormones that aid in regulating your metabolism.

Your thyroid may generate too little or too many thyroid hormones, and either situation can cause crippling symptoms. Lethargy, weight gain, dry skin, and hair are typical symptoms of an underactive thyroid, while nervousness and anxiety are typical signs of an overactive thyroid, as well as weight loss.

Once detected, thyroid disorders can be treated, but even then, it's crucial to keep an eye on your thyroid hormone levels to make sure they stay at their ideal levels.

Free Thyroxine

One of the two hormones that the thyroid gland produces is thyroxine (T4). It accelerates the rate at which your metabolism functions.

The majority of T4 in the blood is bound to carrier proteins, but this test solely measures free, or unbound, T4, which is active in the body.

Free T3

The more active of the two thyroid hormones made by the thyroid gland is triiodothyronine (T3). In the blood, the majority of T3 is protein-bound.

The amount of T3 that is available to control metabolism and is free, or not bound to protein, is measured by free T3.

TSH

The thyroid is a gland located near the base of the neck that regulates several metabolic processes, including substrate turnover, heart function, muscle physiology, and energy expenditure.

Thyroid dysfunction can cause either overproduction of hormones (overactive) or underproduction of hormones (underactive), both of which can lower athletic performance. The pituitary gland produces Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), which stimulates the thyroid gland to create the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).

As part of a neuroendocrine cascade, thyroid hormone synthesis occurs. Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) is released first in the hypothalamus, where it causes the pituitary to release thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).

To release the hormones T3 and T4, this attaches to thyroid gland cells (thyroxine). Additionally, peripheral tissues convert T4 into T3, the thyroid hormone with greater activity.These hormones are essentially what regulate your body's metabolism.

Negative feedback loops typically maintain a tight balance between all of these levels. Thyroid hormone over- or under-secretion can be a sign of abnormal thyroid function. These disorders frequently have an autoimmune component, which can frequently be detected by looking at your thyroid antibodies in more sophisticated thyroid tests.

Diabetes (1 Biomarker)

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic condition that affects people of all ages more frequently. In the UK, up to one-third of persons are at risk of developing diabetes due to prediabetes. It is brought about by the interaction of our genes and our way of life.

Being overweight, eating poorly, and not exercising all increase the risk of having diabetes. Early detection of diabetes is crucial because, even if your blood sugar has risen and you are at the prediabetic stage, you can still lower it by changing your lifestyle.

Once you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is crucial to carefully control your blood glucose levels in order to prevent many of the serious complications that can harm your nerves, blood vessels, kidneys, and eyes.

Diabetes is a key contributor to shortened life expectancy and is a known risk factor for cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other illnesses.

HbA1c

Glycated haemoglobin, commonly known as haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), is a longer-term indicator of blood glucose levels than a straightforward blood glucose test.

Your red blood cells' ability to attach glucose to haemoglobin plus the fact that these cells have an average lifespan of 12 to 16 weeks give us a decent idea of the typical quantity of sugar in your blood over the course of three months.

Red Blood Cells (7 Biomarkers)

The most prevalent form of blood cell, the red blood cell, is responsible for transporting oxygen to your tissues through your circulatory system.

Your bone marrow continuously produces red blood cells to replace those that are lost as a result of bleeding or cell ageing.

Your red cell count should remain consistent, but some health issues can result in abnormally few or excessively numerous red cells, abnormally fast cell death, or abnormally shaped red cells.

The amount of oxygen given to your tissues is affected if you are not creating enough red blood cells, which causes anaemia and its accompanying symptoms of weariness and pale skin. Headaches, blurred vision, and an enlarged spleen can all be symptoms of excessive red blood cell production.

Haematocrit

The haematocrit (HCT) scale measures how much space (volume) red blood cells occupy inside the blood.

Haemoglobin

Red blood cells contain the protein haemoglobin, which is responsible for the red colour of the blood and for carrying oxygen throughout the body.

This test gauges the blood's capacity to transport oxygen throughout the body by counting the amount of haemoglobin present.

Because they need to make sure that their muscles are getting enough oxygen, athletes and sports persons typically have higher oxygen demands than the normal person. In endurance and strength athletes, it is typical to detect haemoglobin levels at the higher end of the normal range.

MCH

The average amount of haemoglobin found in one of your red blood cells is measured by MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin).

MCHC

The average amount of haemoglobin in your red blood cells is called the MCHC (mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration). Red blood cells use the chemical haemoglobin to carry oxygen throughout the body.

MCV

Your red blood cells' average size can be determined by your MCV (mean corpuscular volume).

This is crucial to evaluate because it can show how much oxygen your cells are probably transferring throughout the body.

Red Cell Count

Analyzing the quantity of red blood cells in the blood is known as red blood cell (RBC) counting.

Oxygen is transported by red blood cells from the lungs to the rest of the body, where it can be used as a source of energy for activities like breathing and moving about. Additionally, they transport the carbon dioxide that cells make back to the lungs for exhalation.

RDW

The red blood cell distribution width (RDW) reveals whether the sizes and shapes of your red blood cells are uniform across the board or vary.

Your red blood cells may grow in atypical sizes due to several blood disorders because, in general, cells are pretty uniform in size and shape.

The size difference between the largest and the smallest red blood cell is determined by this test.

Clotting Status (1 Biomarkers)

Your bone marrow produces your clotting cells (platelets), which are crucial for regulating bleeding.

Thrombocytopenia is a condition that occurs when too few or too quickly damaged platelets are created. Immune problems, certain medications, liver illness, or continuous bleeding are all potential causes of this.

Thrombocytosis, often known as a high platelet count, can result from a number of illnesses, including problems with the bone marrow, infection, and inflammation.

Platelet Count

The smallest form of blood cell, called platelets or clotting cells, are crucial for blood coagulation.

The platelets enlarge, cluster, and eventually form a sticky plug (a clot) that aids in stopping bleeding when it occurs.

White Blood Cells (6 Biomarkers)

The foundation of your body's immunological or defence system is made up of white blood cells.

They combat illnesses and shield your body from external substances like dangerous bacteria and germs. White blood cells are created from bone marrow stem cells and have a short lifespan of a few days.

The body is protected by five main types of white blood cells, each of which has a unique function. Your immune system and recent infections can both be diagnosed using the numbers of each of these categories of white blood cells.

White Cell Count

The White Blood Cell (WBC) Count calculates how many white blood cells are present in the blood. White blood cells are essential to the immune system of your body.

They combat illnesses and defend your body from invaders like dangerous bacteria and germs. To shield you from repeated infections with the same germ, they also develop a large number of antibodies and memory cells.

Basophils

White blood cells called basophils guard your body against bacteria and parasites like ticks. They additionally contribute to allergic responses.

Eosinophils 

White blood cells called eosinophils are in charge of eliminating parasite infections and controlling inflammation to identify an infected spot. They also have an impact on asthma and allergies.

Lymphocytes 

White blood cells called lymphocytes defend the body against viral and bacterial illnesses.

They are a subgroup of white blood cells that play a role in the body's more focused response to infections, which is able to recognise and classify various foreign organisms that enter the body.

They create antibodies and memory cells to aid in preventing further infections from the same germ in addition to combating infection. T cells, B cells, and natural killer cells are examples of lymphocytes.

Monocytes 

White blood cells called monocytes engulf and eliminate pathogens as well as dead or damaged cells from our blood.

These cells' activity contribute to the heat and swell of inflammation.

Neutrophils 

White blood cells known as neutrophils are in charge of assisting your body in the fight against illness. If your neutrophil count is low, you may be more susceptible to disease and infection.

Iron Status (1 Biomarker)

Liver Health (3 Biomarkers)

One of your body's most vital organs, the liver performs a variety of tasks including converting food into energy, eliminating waste and toxins, and producing and regulating some hormones.

Through overeating, drinking alcohol, and contracting viral hepatitis, your liver can become inflamed and gradually harmed. Although your liver has extraordinary regeneration capabilities, liver disease is irreversible once inflammation has resulted in scarring (cirrhosis).

Blood tests evaluate the levels of several enzymes, and if they are elevated, it may be a sign that your liver is inflamed.

ALT

The liver produces the enzyme alanine transferase (ALT), which can suggest liver damage brought on by medications, alcohol, or viruses (hepatitis).

GGT

The liver enzyme gamma GT, sometimes referred to as gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), is increased in conditions affecting the liver and bile ducts.

To differentiate between liver and bone diseases, it is utilised in conjunction with ALP. As it is elevated in 75% of heavy drinkers, gamma GT is also used to diagnose alcohol consumption.

ALP

An enzyme called alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is mostly present in the liver and bones. Its measurement can reveal whether a person has any active liver, gallbladder, or bone conditions.