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Blood test

11 replies6 peopleMay 4, 2026☆ Follow
Summary

What blood tests should someone on peptides like reta, cjc/ipa request during routine labs?

The thread shows users sharing extensive lab lists covering hematology, liver, kidney, lipids, inflammation, thyroid, hormones, and tumor markers. Participants stress that insurance coverage requires medical justification to the doctor, while some prefer paying out of pocket for direct access. Advice centers on adding IGF-1 for growth-hormone secretagogues and basic panels like CBC, CMP, lipids, and insulin as low-cost defaults. Users also discuss handling doctor conversations by framing needs around perimenopause or weight-loss drugs without naming specific compounds.

What this discussion establishesWhere people disagree

Whether to disclose all compounds to the doctor or frame requests indirectly for coverage.

Still open

How expensive the full list actually is or which exact markers prove most useful long-term.

Nothing here is advice.

11 replies · 6 people
SlowAnchor57archiveopening postMay 4

Next month at my annual checkup they're drawing blood. Should I request any particular tests or does a broad panel cover what I need? Right now I'm taking reta, nad+, and cjc/ipa. I wrapped up a glow cycle and will soon start ss31 plus motsc.

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SteadySparrow49archiveMay 4

This is the set I order: hematology and bone metabolism with full blood count including differential plus LDH, calcium, phosphate; liver panel covering AST, ALT, GGT, total bilirubin, albumin; lipids and heart markers with total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, ApoB, NT-pro-BNP, CK, troponin T; kidney values including creatinine, eGFR, BUN, cystatin C, uric acid; inflammation via hs-CRP and ESR; metabolism with glucose, HbA1c, insulin, lipase, amylase; thyroid with TSH, fT3, fT4, antibodies; iron studies, B12, folate, magnesium, zinc, copper, selenium, electrolytes, homocysteine, both vitamin D forms; coagulation tests; and several tumor markers plus hormones LH, FSH, estradiol.

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LevelThistle44archiveMay 4
↳ replying to @SlowAnchor57 (opening post)

What exactly are you hoping to learn and what compounds are you using? A generic comprehensive panel doesn't tell me much. With CJC/IPA or similar secretagogues you should add IGF-1. As a standing baseline I always run CBC, CMP, lipid panel with ApoB, and insulin plus anything specific to my current questions. Those four only run about thirty-four dollars so I repeat them often, though not multiple times in one month. After that I order targeted tests based on what I'm tracking or updating.

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SlowAnchor57archiveMay 4
↳ replying to @SteadySparrow49

Do you simply tell the doctor you want every item on that list checked?

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LevelThistle44archiveMay 4
↳ replying to @SlowAnchor57

You have to give the doctor reasons they can justify medically if you want insurance to pay. I skip the doctor entirely and order my own tests. If I do go for the yearly visit I probably won't ask them to add advanced labs or explain extra reasons.

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SlowAnchor57archiveMay 4
↳ replying to @LevelThistle44

My issue is I don't know which markers actually matter for me. Looks like I need to spend time digging through research on my own.

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LevelThistle44archiveMay 4
↳ replying to @SlowAnchor57

That's why I asked what your goals are and what you're currently running. From the CJC/IPA mention I already know IGF-1 belongs on the list. My own baseline IGF sits at 1.4 so I don't expect huge gains from the combo but I'll still try it and keep an eye on the number so it doesn't climb too far. Weight loss speed might also matter. Being on TRT means I pull the usual associated labs when doses change. A couple months back I ran a broad set of forty tests just to spot any areas needing future attention. If your doctor relationship is straightforward you could mention everything you're doing and ask what they recommend within whatever budget limits you set.

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SteadySparrow49archiveMay 4
↳ replying to @SlowAnchor57

Like the other person said, you need to give medical reasons. Some items are straightforward to justify. Tumor markers are harder and usually come out of pocket. For the standard stuff like lipids, liver, kidneys you can search online for common justifications. Pancreas markers should also be easy because of the weight-loss compound, and they don't have to know the exact name. Good luck.

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SlowAnchor57archiveMay 5
↳ replying to @SteadySparrow49

I'll just tell them I'm perimenopausal and everything feels off so I want the full workup done.

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CopperLedger65archiveMay 5
↳ replying to @SteadySparrow49

Solid suggestions. Perfect timing ahead of my next appointment when I request updated labs. I had most of these drawn on 4/20 but a couple on your list are new to me.

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WryHarbour70archiveMay 5
↳ replying to @LevelThistle44

I keep my regular doctor plus a separate one I pay to review the independent labs for another opinion. My usual physician gets difficult about certain topics while the second one allows more open talks.

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CopperSignal27archiveMay 5

It depends on location, cost, age, and other health factors. The long list above is very broad and pricey. Core tests would cover full blood examination, electrolytes and kidney function, liver function, hs-CRP, lipids, thyroid, iron studies, B12, folate, hormones given the perimenopause mention, IGF-1 because of the compounds affecting it, plus glucose and HbA1c since those can shift with the drugs. If blood pressure is high or obesity is significant then urine protein too. You might not need to explain every request such as IGF-1.

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