Question about blood tests/PCT

[spongeinformation]

Hi guys, long time lurker with a few questions.

Can anyone tell me what essential blood tests i need before a first cycle (Mid 30s male | BF under 15% | Test E only 250-300/week cycle ). Not looking to break the bank and get absolutely everything unless needed but want to get everything that's required. I've seen some other posts talking about tests but not sure exactly what i need for my situation. Also is there anything i should be looking out for in the pre-cycle results or are they mostly just for comparing to mid cycle/post cycle test results? I'm looking at https://bodyiq.co.nz/ for tests atm as they have a collection point near me. Also the same tests for mid/post cycle?

Another question is about what to expect during PCT post cycle, I understand its different for everyone but how wiped out do you guys feel/should i expect to be etc, should i be planning some sick time or just being extremely flat but functional. I currently have Clomid and HCG for PCT.

Thanks guys

 

[bss]

Hi guys, long time lurker with a few questions.

Can anyone tell me what essential blood tests i need before a first cycle (Mid 30s male | BF under 15% | Test E only 250-300/week cycle ). Not looking to break the bank and get absolutely everything unless needed but want to get everything that's required. I've seen some other posts talking about tests but not sure exactly what i need for my situation. Also is there anything i should be looking out for in the pre-cycle results or are they mostly just for comparing to mid cycle/post cycle test results? I'm looking at https://bodyiq.co.nz/ for tests atm as they have a collection point near me. Also the same tests for mid/post cycle?

Another question is about what to expect during PCT post cycle, I understand its different for everyone but how wiped out do you guys feel/should i expect to be etc, should i be planning some sick time or just being extremely flat but functional. I currently have Clomid and HCG for PCT.

Thanks guys

Welcome to the EVO fam @spongeinformation !

Good first cycle questions to be asking up front. Before a Test E 250-300 first cycle at mid-30s the essentials are:

Pre-cycle baseline:
- Total Testosterone + Free Testosterone + Sensitive E2
- SHBG, Prolactin, LH, FSH
- Full CBC (hematocrit, RBC, haemoglobin)
- Full lipid panel (HDL, LDL, triglycerides)
- Liver (ALT, AST, GGT) and kidney (eGFR, creatinine)
- Fasting glucose + HbA1c
- TSH + free T4
- DHEA-S, Cortisol AM

Pre-cycle isn't just for comparison. It's there to catch pre-existing issues: low natural Test, high prolactin, dodgy liver/kidney, lipids already trending bad, insulin resistance, thyroid. If any of those aren't clean now they'll get worse on cycle, so the baseline tells you what's safe to push.

Mid-cycle week 6-8: Total T, Free T, Sensitive E2, CBC, lipids, LFTs, prolactin. Catching hematocrit creep or lipid crash early is what this one is for.

Post-cycle 4 weeks into PCT: Total T, Free T, LH, FSH, Sensitive E2, prolactin, SHBG. Tells you if the HPTA is waking up.

Recovery confirmation 8-12 weeks after PCT ends: Full pre-cycle panel again to confirm you're back to baseline before deciding on your next cycle.

PCT reality with your Clomid + HCG setup:
- Flat libido, energy, mood for 2-6 weeks is normal, not sick-time territory but plan lighter training weeks
- HCG runs at the tail of the cycle or first 10-14 days before Clomid kicks in (500-1000IU EOD), then stop HCG before SERMs kick in so you're not pushing Leydig cells while SERMs are trying to restore the signal
- Clomid 50mg/day for 4 weeks is standard, often paired with Nolvadex 20mg weeks 1-2 / 10mg weeks 3-4 for a smoother ride
- Keep an AI on hand for E2 rebound, Aromasin 12.5mg EOD if E2 spikes
- Food, sleep, cardio stay tight through PCT. Aggressive deficit during PCT torches recovery.

References that will save you time:
- Complete Guide to Blood Work for Bodybuilders: https://www.evolutionary.org.org/blog/complete-guide-to-bloodwork-for-bodybuilders
- PCT Bloodwork, When to Test and How to Know You've Recovered: https://www.evolutionary.org.org/blog/pct-bloodwork
- HCG and Fertility on TRT: https://www.evolutionary.org.org/blog/hcg-fertility-trt
- On-Cycle Support Protocol: https://www.evolutionary.org.org/blog/on-cycle-support-protocol

Those cover the markers, timing and support stack in proper detail.

 

[bss]

Hi guys, long time lurker with a few questions.

Can anyone tell me what essential blood tests i need before a first cycle (Mid 30s male | BF under 15% | Test E only 250-300/week cycle ). Not looking to break the bank and get absolutely everything unless needed but want to get everything that's required. I've seen some other posts talking about tests but not sure exactly what i need for my situation. Also is there anything i should be looking out for in the pre-cycle results or are they mostly just for comparing to mid cycle/post cycle test results? I'm looking at https://bodyiq.co.nz/ for tests atm as they have a collection point near me. Also the same tests for mid/post cycle?

Another question is about what to expect during PCT post cycle, I understand its different for everyone but how wiped out do you guys feel/should i expect to be etc, should i be planning some sick time or just being extremely flat but functional. I currently have Clomid and HCG for PCT.

Thanks guys

Also please consider opening a log so we can help you going forward with your cycle/PCT

HOW-TO LOG?

Why is a Log Journal important?
Doing a log will actually help you way more than just dropping random updates. When you lay it all out week by week you start to see patterns in your body that you won’t catch otherwise.
Other guys here run logs all the time and there’s no privacy issue, nobody is asking for your name or anything personal, it is just training, diet, and how the compound feels.
The feedback you get is also way better because people can follow along and spot things you might miss. It also helps the next guy who is thinking about running the same compound so you are giving back while you learn.
Even if you think you might not stick with it, just starting the log makes it easier to come back and add quick notes. That way you get more out of what you are running instead of keeping it all in your head.

To really guide you we need more info from you:
Please share your diet, training, cardio, sleep, supplements etc log with us in a NEW thread, full log journal so our guidance is based on facts you provide.
It will take 15-20 minutes max.
We have 100s of years of experience between us, so you need to post a LOG Journal with your stats (weight,height,age, years training, cycle history) diet, training, cardio, supplement, sleep details. If you don't log what you eat or train now, open NOTES on phone and start recording it there and paste here. Very easy.
Please post a Log Journal asap for us

Please click the anabolic forum
https://www.evolutionary.org/forums/forums/anabolic-steroids-and-peds.2/
top RIGHT, you see: +POST THREAD
click that

in Title: write your cycle name, like> My _____ Cycle Log
___ = the name of your log
example: My TRT Training Log
in body: write your planned cycle or cycle you doing now, your diet, training and we will help you along on your cycle

here are examples of LOG Journals
https://www.evolutionary.org/forums/threads/first-testosterone-cycle-log.104133/
https://www.evolutionary.org/forums/threads/sustanon-trenomast-deca-dbol-cycle-journal.105881/
https://www.evolutionary.org/forums/threads/s-gentz-2025-26-growth-phase-log-with-psl.106514/
https://www.evolutionary.org/forums...var-bpc157-beligas-pharmaqo-cycle-log.104843/
https://www.evolutionary.org/forums...g-log-sponsored-by-purity-source-labs.103669/
https://www.evolutionary.org/forums...erone-cycle-and-beginner-training-log.106310/
https://www.evolutionary.org/forums/threads/average-trt-back-to-savage-cycle-journal.106252
https://www.evolutionary.org/forums...-testosterone-masteron-primobolan-deca.105348
https://www.evolutionary.org/forums...odybuilding-log-masters-55-competitor.102611/
https://www.evolutionary.org/forums...ron-npp-tren-anadrol-log-to-stage-2025.102590

P.S. are you listening to our podcast? if not, you should; this podcast is about steroids, sarms, peptides, and bodybuilding:
https://www.evolutionary.org/podcasts/
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/evolutionary-bodybuilding-radio/id1798623410
https://open.spotify.com/show/53q1RFTgG4h6TQHsJ4xY6Z

 

[spongeinformation]

Welcome to the EVO fam @spongeinformation !

Good first cycle questions to be asking up front. Before a Test E 250-300 first cycle at mid-30s the essentials are:

Pre-cycle baseline:
- Total Testosterone + Free Testosterone + Sensitive E2
- SHBG, Prolactin, LH, FSH
- Full CBC (hematocrit, RBC, haemoglobin)
- Full lipid panel (HDL, LDL, triglycerides)
- Liver (ALT, AST, GGT) and kidney (eGFR, creatinine)
- Fasting glucose + HbA1c
- TSH + free T4
- DHEA-S, Cortisol AM

Pre-cycle isn't just for comparison. It's there to catch pre-existing issues: low natural Test, high prolactin, dodgy liver/kidney, lipids already trending bad, insulin resistance, thyroid. If any of those aren't clean now they'll get worse on cycle, so the baseline tells you what's safe to push.

Mid-cycle week 6-8: Total T, Free T, Sensitive E2, CBC, lipids, LFTs, prolactin. Catching hematocrit creep or lipid crash early is what this one is for.

Post-cycle 4 weeks into PCT: Total T, Free T, LH, FSH, Sensitive E2, prolactin, SHBG. Tells you if the HPTA is waking up.

Recovery confirmation 8-12 weeks after PCT ends: Full pre-cycle panel again to confirm you're back to baseline before deciding on your next cycle.

PCT reality with your Clomid + HCG setup:
- Flat libido, energy, mood for 2-6 weeks is normal, not sick-time territory but plan lighter training weeks
- HCG runs at the tail of the cycle or first 10-14 days before Clomid kicks in (500-1000IU EOD), then stop HCG before SERMs kick in so you're not pushing Leydig cells while SERMs are trying to restore the signal
- Clomid 50mg/day for 4 weeks is standard, often paired with Nolvadex 20mg weeks 1-2 / 10mg weeks 3-4 for a smoother ride
- Keep an AI on hand for E2 rebound, Aromasin 12.5mg EOD if E2 spikes
- Food, sleep, cardio stay tight through PCT. Aggressive deficit during PCT torches recovery.

References that will save you time:
- Complete Guide to Blood Work for Bodybuilders: https://www.evolutionary.org.org/blog/complete-guide-to-bloodwork-for-bodybuilders
- PCT Bloodwork, When to Test and How to Know You've Recovered: https://www.evolutionary.org.org/blog/pct-bloodwork
- HCG and Fertility on TRT: https://www.evolutionary.org.org/blog/hcg-fertility-trt
- On-Cycle Support Protocol: https://www.evolutionary.org.org/blog/on-cycle-support-protocol

Those cover the markers, timing and support stack in proper detail.

Thanks, this is very helpful.

 

[LevButlerov]

Thanks, this is very helpful.

thank you @bss you do need a log @spongeinformation it will be 10min to start and we can help you with bloods too
read please
https://www.evolutionary.org/forums...what-labs-to-test-on-steroids-and-trt.107781/

 

[willsey40]

Hi guys, long time lurker with a few questions.

Can anyone tell me what essential blood tests i need before a first cycle (Mid 30s male | BF under 15% | Test E only 250-300/week cycle ). Not looking to break the bank and get absolutely everything unless needed but want to get everything that's required. I've seen some other posts talking about tests but not sure exactly what i need for my situation. Also is there anything i should be looking out for in the pre-cycle results or are they mostly just for comparing to mid cycle/post cycle test results? I'm looking at https://bodyiq.co.nz/ for tests atm as they have a collection point near me. Also the same tests for mid/post cycle?

Another question is about what to expect during PCT post cycle, I understand its different for everyone but how wiped out do you guys feel/should i expect to be etc, should i be planning some sick time or just being extremely flat but functional. I currently have Clomid and HCG for PCT.

Thanks guys

hey how did ya get on with blood tests, my local wants bout $800 a pop