Blood tests - where, what, how?

[hare]

I hear that it's recommended to get blood tests before starting any treatments, to gauge testosterone, etc.

1) Where should a blood test be requested?
2) What specifically should the blood tests test for? Testosterone, DHT, oestrogen, FSH, LH, etc.?
3) How should one request it? Apparently not any Doctor will offer blood tests for any reason.

 

[talmoode]

hi I've done some blood tests (thyroid, DHT, testosterone, iron dificiency and more). My GP was more than happy to do all these tests for me and now that she is on holiday, my new GP was nice enough to do another blood test. So go and ask your GP! I know some doctors are reluctant (why?) but if thats the case, get another one! by the way, I am in Australia!

 

[hare]

hi I've done some blood tests (thyroid, DHT, testosterone, iron dificiency and more). My GP was more than happy to do all these tests for me and now that she is on holiday, my new GP was nice enough to do another blood test. So go and ask your GP! I know some doctors are reluctant (why?) but if thats the case, get another one! by the way, I am in Australia!

To answer your question, from my understanding, GPs aren't supposed to help with cosmetic issues. I guess that the trick is to have a non-cosmetic reason for specific blood tests.

To make it more likely that a Doctor would do blood tests, I would be content with obtaining measurements of only what is likely to be affected by treatments such as finasteride. e.g. DHT. But I'm not sure what else. Test.?