Essential Bloodwork for Bodybuilders Using Steroids and PEDs

If you're a bodybuilder using anabolic steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), monitoring your health is non-negotiable. Steroids, SARMs, growth hormone, and similar compounds can stress vital organs and disrupt natural hormone production. Regular bloodwork can help you catch problems early and keep you on track.

Where to Get Blood Work

I personally recommend Walk-In Labs — they’re affordable, don’t require a doctor’s visit, and are available in most states. To cover your bases, I suggest starting with these three panels:

• Wellness Panel

• Estradiol Test

• Apolipoprotein B Test

The Must-Have Blood Tests for PED Users

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) This panel evaluates your kidney, liver, electrolyte balance, and blood sugar levels — all commonly impacted by steroids.

Kidney Function

• BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)

• Creatinine

• BUN/Creatinine Ratio

• eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate)

Liver Function

• Total Protein, Albumin, Globulin, Albumin/Globulin Ratio

• Bilirubin

• Alkaline Phosphatase

• AST (SGOT) & ALT (SGPT)

• GGT (Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase)

Electrolytes & Fluids

• Sodium

• Potassium

• Chloride

• Carbon Dioxide (Total)

Lipid Panel + Apolipoprotein B Steroids notoriously destroy lipid profiles. This test is essential to assess your cardiovascular risk.

• Cholesterol (Total)

• LDL ("Bad" Cholesterol)

• HDL ("Good" Cholesterol)

• Triglycerides

• Total Cholesterol / HDL Ratio

• Apolipoprotein B

Thyroid Panel Thyroid health affects metabolism, energy levels, and fat loss.

• TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone)

• T3 Uptake

• T4 Total

• Free Thyroxine Index (FTI)

Complete Blood Count (CBC) PEDs like testosterone and growth hormone can increase red blood cell production (which sounds good but can thicken the blood and cause problems).

• Red Blood Cells (RBC)

• White Blood Cells (WBC)

• Hemoglobin & Hematocrit

• Platelets

Estradiol Test This is CRITICAL if you’re using testosterone or any androgen. High or low estrogen can cause gynecomastia, mood swings, sexual dysfunction, and cardiovascular issues.

Mineral & Bone Panel Steroids can impact mineral balance and bone health, especially when altering cortisol or parathyroid activity.

• Total Iron

• Calcium

• Phosphorus

A1C (Glycohemoglobin) Many overlook blood glucose, but steroid-induced insulin resistance is real.

• A1C gives a snapshot of average blood glucose over the past 2-3 months.

• A result over 6.5% could indicate pre-diabetes or diabetes.

How Often Should You Test?

For PED users, I recommend:

• Baseline bloodwork before starting anything.

• Follow-ups every 8–12 weeks while on cycle.

• Post-cycle to assess recovery.

• Every 3–6 months if you’re on TRT or a long-term protocol.Title