Before the beginning of a cycle, it is necessary for the steroid user, to undergo specific laboratory tests, in order to evaluate his general health condition.
Adverse effects and possible tissue damage is dependent on various parameters, such as age, time and dosage of abuse, combination of PEDs, life style, proper nutrition, medical prevention rules, proper supplementation and family history.
Dislipidemia, transaminemia and erythrocytosis are among the commonest distortions, which should inhibit an alleged user from starting a cycle.
Otherwise, during the course of a cycle things may get even worse and perhaps the user will be forced to cease the cycle.
Occasionally, symptoms appear that justify a bad shape (pain under the right costal arch, jaundice, epistaxis, chest pain, gynecomastia, edema, headache, foggy mind, blurred vision).
– HEMATOLOGIC ASSESMENT: Hematocrite, Hemoglobin, Platelets, Iron, Ferritin and Cyanocobalamine
-RENAL ASSESMENT: Urea, Creatinine, Uric acid, 24h creatinine urine clearance and urinalysis
-HEPATIC ASSESMENT: SGOT/AST, SGPT/ALT, γGT, ALP, Bilirubin, LDH
-CARDIOVASCULAR ASSESMENT: HDL, LDL, TC, TRIGLYCERIDES, HOMOCYSTEINE
-TUMOR MARKERS: PSA, AFP, CEA, CA 19.9
-THYROID ASSESMENT: TSH, T3, T4, FT3, FT4, ANTI-TPO, ANTI-TG
-COAGULATION ASSESMENT: INR, APTT, FIBRINOGEN
A typical cardiovascular check up includes:
– Frontal X-ray of the thoracic cavity, that reveals the shape of the heart (front image) and assessment of the cardiothoracic index.
– ECG, that reveals any recent or former AMI (acute myocardial infarction), arrhythmias (ventricular or atrial), LVH (left ventricular hypertrophy).
– Echocardiography (Triplex U/S), which illustrates the size and functionality (estimated ejection fraction) of all cardiac chambers, valves, the presence of structural abnormalities in the myocardium.
Furthermore the ascending aorta and aortic arch is illustrated and tested for their morphology and functionality.
Laboratory testing is performed under fasting conditions (eight hour fast), for proper assessment of lipid profile.
Proper hydration for optimal assessment of renal function, while enough hydration also ensures that blood collection becomes easier; especially in cases of erythrocytosis (increased blood viscosity).
=> Possible causes of elevated values:
– HEMATOCRIT: anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS), dehydration, smoking, living at high altitude
– UREA: poor hydration, increased intake of animal protein (nitrogen retention)
– CREATININE: rhabdomyolysis (CPK>1000), increased creatine intake (>10gr/day), daily red meat consumption, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s), increase muscle mass (BMI>30)
– SGOT/AST, SGPT/ALT: 17 alkylated per os AAS, rhabdomyolysis, paracetamol, alcohol abuse
– GGT, ALP: alcohol abuse, liver disease involving cholestasis and jaundice (biliary duct occlusion)
– LDL, TC: trans & SFAs, refined sugar, lack of EFAs (LA, OA , ALA, CLA, GLA, DHA, EPA)
-T RIG: fish oil (DHA & EPA) deficiency
– BILIRUBIN: cholestasis, jaundice, liver disease
– CPK: rhabdomyolysis, muscle catabolism, viral infection (EBV)
– INR: AAS abuse
– UA: increased intake of animal proteins, involved in purine’s metabolism, uric arthritis- gout
– B12: DECREASE equals to megaloblastic anemia (cyanocobalamine deficiency) (MCV>100), as a result of either malnutrition, or alcoholism
– TSH: Hypothyroidism
– Fe: hemosiderosis-hemochromatosis (iron intoxication), hemolytic anemia, inflammation of the liver (hepatitis), or liver tissue death
– Ca 19.9, CEA, AFP: Visceral inflammation-tumor Tumors of lungs, testicles (seminoma), large intestine (bowel), visceral organs (liver, bile, pancreas, stomach)
– PSA: benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH), prostatitis, prostate cancer
– CRP: inflammation