How Not To Spend a Fortune on Blood Work?

[coltdawg]

I am starting my first cycle soon and will obviously be getting my bloodwork done beforehand. The only problem I'm running into is how expensive it is to get all of the tests (free/total test, lipids, CBC, PSA, sensitive E2, CMP, etc.). I've read the bloodwork educational thread, but it seems like most packages don't come with everything, and even if they are close, it runs around $150 or so to get all of it. Spending $450 in total for pre-cycle, during-cycle, and post-cycle testing just seems excessive to me. I realize AAS is an investment and not cheap, but that just seems like a bit much. Does anyone have a way that they get all of their blood testing done without spending hundreds?

Thanks in advance!

[< <Samson> >]

https://www.health-tests-direct.com

[coltdawg]

https://www.health-tests-direct.com

That website is even more expensive than the ones recommended in the blood test thread. The cheapest package that tests testosterone on that website is $150 and that still doesn't have all the recommended tests.

[Obs]

Privatemdlabs has coupons and discount codes. Googlit.
It helps.

[< <Samson> >]

I wasn't aware 150 bucks is a fortune

[Windex]

I'm not really familiar with American insurance but do you have some sort of health benefit plan either through your employer or private coverage?

Aside from that, this is a very expensive hobby, especially long term. I personally don't put a price on healthcare, just causes unneeded anxiety and stress. I can appreciate where you are coming from in feeling that $450.00 is a lot of money, but in the grand scheme of things it could be way worse. The reality is you should expect to pay approx $750-$1000+ (Americans correct me if I am wrong on the cost) per cycle by the time everything is said and done.

[kbunyan]

Anylabtest is $250 for full panel male bw

[coltdawg]

I wasn't aware 150 bucks is a fortune

As I said in the post, $150 pre, during, and post cycle is $450

[coltdawg]

Anylabtest is $250 for full panel male bw

So you spend $750 on bloodwork for each cycle?

[coltdawg]

I'm not really familiar with American insurance but do you have some sort of health benefit plan either through your employer or private coverage?

Aside from that, this is a very expensive hobby, especially long term. I personally don't put a price on healthcare, just causes unneeded anxiety and stress. I can appreciate where you are coming from in feeling that $450.00 is a lot of money, but in the grand scheme of things it could be way worse. The reality is you should expect to pay approx $750-$1000+ (Americans correct me if I am wrong on the cost) per cycle by the time everything is said and done.

I always appreciate your helpful replies. Yes, I have health insurance, but convincing a doctor I need to get all of those tests would be a huge pain in the ass. Not to mention doing it 3 times haha.

That is all true. I was just wondering if anyone knows how to get all the labs done for cheaper, or if everyone usually pays about $150 or more each time.

[guitarzan]

Our health dept does a full panel for $49.99!

[coltdawg]

Our health dept does a full panel for $49.99!

At your job?

[Obs]

Ok look...
Sign up for life insurance get them to pull blood get your copy of the bloods and change your mind.

You will get all major internals checked.

Then go to privatemdlab and get a hormone panel ...
Use a coupon.

The first part of your bloods (from the life insurance) you will get done at your home. Free. Cant beat that.

The second part ain't that expensive and come with cbc and the like. If you are worried about your thyroid get a thyroid panel too.

[coltdawg]

Ok look...
Sign up for life insurance get them to pull blood get your copy of the bloods and change your mind.

You will get all major internals checked.

Then go to privatemdlab and get a hormone panel ...
Use a coupon.

The first part of your bloods (from the life insurance) you will get done at your home. Free. Cant beat that.

The second part ain't that expensive and come with cbc and the like. If you are worried about your thyroid get a thyroid panel too.

Awesome advice. Which life insurance did you find was easiest to get that done with? Also, is the hormone panel you’re talking about the female hormone panel? I appreciate your help, sorry for all the questions!

[< <Samson> >]

Lol - this thread

You don't need 3 full panels - I do 2 a year + 2 general health

[guitarzan]

At your job?

Nope, it's the local public health department. Have to get my doctor to order it

[Obs]

Awesome advice. Which life insurance did you find was easiest to get that done with? Also, is the hormone panel you’re talking about the female hormone panel? I appreciate your help, sorry for all the questions!

Why in the hell would I take a female hormone panel?

Look at the opitions.
120 will get you pretty much everything
Before the coupon...

I cant divulge my life insurance but I did just save a bunch of money on my car insurance by switching to Geico.

[Charlie67]

I cant divulge my life insurance but I did just save a bunch of money on my car insurance by switching to Geico.

Ha!

I runny weeny insignificant little cycles, but I imagine I spend about $300-400 on gear, and $400 on blood work (mid-cycle, and (sometimes) post). And that blood work is supplemented by my annual physicals which my insurance covers. As Windex mentioned above, its an expensive hobby.

At least when I donate blood I usually receive a free t-shirt.

[Obs]

Ha!

I runny weeny insignificant little cycles, but I imagine I spend about $300-400 on gear, and $400 on blood work (mid-cycle, and (sometimes) post). And that blood work is supplemented by my annual physicals which my insurance covers. As Windex mentioned above, its an expensive hobby.

At least when I donate blood I usually receive a free t-shirt.

Food and gasoline are the worst.

[cousinmuscles]

You don't need to do all panels all three times. Pre cycle yes, make sure you don't have issues that need to be fixed. Mid cycle, sensitive estrogen, blood count, liver if you're using an oral, prolactin if you're using a 19 nor. I don't check my test/free test on cycle I just gauge by the gains. For future cycles no need to check anything mid cycle unless you aren't doing the same cycle. If you change your test dose you need to recalibrate your AI dose etc that's why. So this won't be a recurring thing. Eventually just pre cycle to make sure your HPTA is functioning and lipids/blood count/liver/kidneys are in check.

[Charlie67]

You don't need to do all panels all three times. Pre cycle yes, make sure you don't have issues that need to be fixed. Mid cycle, sensitive estrogen, blood count, liver if you're using an oral, prolactin if you're using a 19 nor. I don't check my test/free test on cycle I just gauge by the gains. For future cycles no need to check anything mid cycle unless you aren't doing the same cycle. If you change your test dose you need to recalibrate your AI dose etc that's why. So this won't be a recurring thing. Eventually just pre cycle to make sure your HPTA is functioning and lipids/blood count/liver/kidneys are in check.

Bravo Cousin. IMHO, that is simple, practical and helpful blood work advice. I'm sure someone will argue that "perfect blood work is always necessary, for every cycle blah, blah, blah....", or they will talk about long-term maintenance, but I think you nailed the gist of how one chunk it up for a few cycles at a time. Nicely done.

[kbunyan]

So you spend $750 on bloodwork for each cycle?

yes I have

[coltdawg]

Why in the hell would I take a female hormone panel?

That information is in the educational threads.

[coltdawg]

You don't need to do all panels all three times. Pre cycle yes, make sure you don't have issues that need to be fixed. Mid cycle, sensitive estrogen, blood count, liver if you're using an oral, prolactin if you're using a 19 nor. I don't check my test/free test on cycle I just gauge by the gains. For future cycles no need to check anything mid cycle unless you aren't doing the same cycle. If you change your test dose you need to recalibrate your AI dose etc that's why. So this won't be a recurring thing. Eventually just pre cycle to make sure your HPTA is functioning and lipids/blood count/liver/kidneys are in check.

Great advice thank you man!

[Windex]

I would do thyroid at least once, maybe part of your annual doctor exam to have it covered from your insurance plan. Thyroid is responsible for metabolism.

[Littlearnie]

Lol - this thread

You don't need 3 full panels - I do 2 a year + 2 general health

In austinite's thread, the top stickie and the one everyone likes to refer to states what you need at a minimum, and it states the minimum you need pre/mid and after.

For me I will have to ignore this because the prices in uk for this is ridiculous, if I did the "minimum" it would cost thousands!! (Unless I have been looking in the wrong part of the Internet...)

I just want to do my first test only run, would you say that I'm ok to bypass blood tests? What do people recomend?

[< <Samson> >]

Can't speak for out of the US