What this section is for
This category is designed to prevent the two biggest mistakes: changing dose off a single number, and ignoring trends that clearly show risk building over time.
Start with fundamentals, then interpretation, then monitoring. When you’re ready to action the numbers, use the free testosterone calculator to sanity-check your FT, and the TRT dose calculator to model changes without guessing.
Start here: bloodwork fundamentals
Follow these in order if you’re new to TRT bloods or want a clean reset.
- Bloodwork basics for TRT — what to test, timing, and why reference ranges often mislead TRT users.
- How to read common lab markers — total T, free T, SHBG, E2, hematocrit, lipids, liver enzymes.
- Ongoing monitoring & follow-up labs — how often to test and what trends matter more than snapshots.
If you’re making decisions about dose or frequency, pair this with how to use the TRT dosage calculator and the dose planning basics guide.
Specific bloodwork topics
Core hormone markers
The numbers most people misread.
- Total vs free testosterone (use the free T calculator when SHBG makes totals misleading)
- SHBG & binding effects
Risk & safety markers
What actually needs watching on TRT.
Monitoring strategy
How to test without chasing noise.
Tools you’ll actually use
Use tools at the decision point, not at the start.
- TRT dose calculator — model weekly vs every-N-days dosing
- Peptide calculator — convert vial + BAC water to units per dose
- Free testosterone calculator — estimate FT when totals confuse the picture
- BMI calculator — fast context for weight trends and risk conversations
Search bloodwork guides
Try markers like “hematocrit”, “E2”, “SHBG”, “AST”, “ALT”, “LDL”, or “free T”.