What is Testosterone Replacement Therapy?
Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) is a treatment used to increase testosterone levels in men with low hormone production. TRT involves supplements like injections, patches, gels, or pellets. A doctor usually prescribes the therapy after evaluating the patient's symptoms and medical history. Although effective, TRT may have risks and side effects and should only be used under qualified healthcare providers' supervision.
What is the purpose of this test?
The Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) Blood Test Panel is a group of tests that measure and evaluate testosterone levels, different types of white blood cells and platelets, and PSA Total in a patient's blood. The primary purpose of this blood test panel is to identify low testosterone levels in a patient, which can lead to symptoms like fatigue, low sex drive, and muscle weakness.
Once diagnosed with low testosterone levels, testosterone replacement therapy can be prescribed to alleviate these symptoms. The blood test panel also helps monitor the effectiveness of the therapy and ensures that the patient receives the appropriate dosage. Overall, the Testosterone Replacement Therapy Blood Test Panel is essential for identifying low testosterone levels, guiding treatment decisions, and monitoring therapy effectiveness.
The TRT Blood Test Panel includes the following:
Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Differential and Platelets
- White Blood Cells (WBC) - The body's primary defense against disease and helps to fight infection.
- Red Blood Cells (RBC) - Responsible for carrying oxygen and carbon dioxide away from all cells. Iron deficiency will lower the RBC count.
- Hemoglobin - A chemical compound inside red cells that transports oxygen through the bloodstream to all body cells. Hemoglobin gives the red color to blood.
- Hematocrit - Measures the amount of space red blood cells take up in the blood. It is reported as a percentage.
- Neutrophils - Neutrophils are the most common type of white blood cells and are created by the bone marrow to combat a wide range of inflammatory and infectious diseases.
- Lymphocytes - B-cells and T-cells are lymphocytes that fight bacteria and other pathogens in the blood. They are primarily found in the lymph system.
- Monocytes - Working alongside neutrophils, monocytes play a vital role in fighting infections and other diseases and clearing away dead or damaged cells.
- Eosinophils - White blood cells called eosinophils become activated in response to allergies and certain infections.
- Basophils - Basophils play a role in detecting infections early on, as well as aiding in wound healing and reacting to allergic responses.
- Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) - The average hemoglobin concentration within a red blood cell.
- Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) - The average hemoglobin concentration percentage within a red blood cell.
- Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) - The average size of red blood cells.
- Platelets - Blood cell particles associated with the forming of blood clots.
- Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) - Measures the amount of red blood cell variation in volume and size.
- Absolute Neutrophils - The absolute neutrophil count measures the number of neutrophils in your blood. Normal range is 2,500-7,000 per microliter. Counts outside this range indicate a possible condition.
- Absolute Lymphocytes - To calculate your absolute lymphocyte count, multiply your white blood cell count by the percentage of lymphocytes. This gives you the number of lymphocytes as an absolute number.
- Absolute Monocytes - The absolute monocyte count indicates the number of monocytes in the blood, helping to identify if the count is normal, high, or low.
- Absolute Eosinophils - Absolute eosinophil count measures the number of eosinophils in blood by multiplying the percentage of eosinophils in a complete blood count with the total number of white blood cells in the same count.
- Absolute Basophils - Absolute basophil count is calculated by multiplying the percentage of basophils by the total number of white blood cells in a blood sample.
Prostate-Specific Antigen Serum
The purpose of a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) serum test is to measure the levels of PSA in a man's blood. PSA is a protein that is produced by the prostate gland, and elevated levels of PSA can be an indicator of prostate cancer, as well as other prostate-related conditions such as prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The test is often recommended for men over the age of 50, or for men who are at a higher risk for prostate cancer. However, it's important to note that an elevated PSA level does not necessarily mean that a man has prostate cancer, and further testing and evaluation are usually required to determine the cause of the elevated PSA level.
Testosterone, Free Direct with Testosterone Total
The purpose of a Testosterone, Free Direct with Testosterone Total test is to measure both bound and unbound testosterone levels in the blood. This test is usually ordered to help diagnose and monitor conditions related to testosterone levels, such as low testosterone, infertility, and certain types of cancers. The total testosterone test measures the entire amount of testosterone in the blood, including both the bound and unbound forms. The free testosterone test measures only the amount of unbound testosterone, which is the active form of the hormone. Together, these two tests can provide a more complete picture of a person's testosterone levels and help healthcare providers make more accurate diagnoses and treatment plans.
When should I order a TRT Blood Test Panel?
Individuals may order this panel if they have low testosterone and are beginning testosterone replacement therapy. Common signs or symptoms of low testosterone include:
- Low iron (anemia)
- Depression or mood changes
- Erectile dysfunction (ED)
- Fatigue
- Loss of muscle mass or strength
- Brittle bones (low calcium levels)
- Low sex drive
- Increased body fat
