About results
The aim of Roidsafe is to provide information to patients using PIEDs as a harm minimisation strategy.
Below is a table listing the tests performed on your pathology sample and instructions on how to interpret these results. Please use this information in conjunction with your results to monitor your health and get an indication of how your use PIEDs is impacting your body. Please use your results and refer to the normal reference ranges in brackets next to the result in question to assess levels.
Results in Medirecords App.
Find your results in the Medirecords App, from the home screen select results, ensure you are then in the results tab at the top, then select the result you wish to see, on the next screen select “TEXT” and the result file will open.
Reading your pathology results.
The pathology company usually provide results in columns in this format
[TEST]Â Â Â [Your result]Â Â Â Â Â [Units of measurement]Â Â Â Â Â [Healthy range]
Results outside of the healthy range are usually flagged in red.
Fasting Please note cholesterol levels will be affected by your decision to fast. Fasting isn’t expected of you, as we understand some of you have strict diet regimes.
If you didn’t fast and/or were tested on a training day, try to get your next test whilst fasting on a rest day.
About your tests
Pituitary not instructing testicles to produce Testosterone due to exogenous use.
A return to normal levels after ceasing PIED indicates testicles are being instructed to produce Testosterone again.
This test measures the level of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in your blood. FSH is made in the pituitary gland and plays an important role in sexual development and function. The test is used to assess fertility and pituitary disorders in men and women.
In women, FSH helps control the menstrual cycle and the production of eggs by the ovaries. Its level varies throughout the menstrual cycle and is highest just before ovulation when an egg is released. This is known as ovulation. FSH testing is used to investigate irregular menstrual periods or confirm menopause.
In men, FSH stimulates testicular growth and helps create and maintain normal sperm count. The test is used to find out if there is a problem with the testicles or what may be the cause of a low sperm count. It is also often used to investigate early or delayed puberty.
What is being tested?
Luteinising hormone (LH) is produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. Control of LH production is a complex system involving hormones produced by the gonads (ovaries or testes), the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus, such as gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
The pituitary does not instruct testicles to produce Testosterone due to exogenous use.
Testicular failure:
- Viral infection (mumps)
- Trauma
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Autoimmune disease
- germ cell tumour
Low levels of FSH are consistent with pituitary or hypothalamic disorders.
A return to normal levels after ceasing PIED indicates testicles are being instructed to produce Testosterone again.
High Testosterone due to exogenous PIED use
Low Testosterone levels may be seen after ceasing PIED’s prior to the body restarting natural production.
Normal Testosterone levels after ceasing PIED’s indicate the body is naturally producing Testosterone again.
High levels of testosterone may be converted into Oestrodiol in the body. This is call aromatisation.
High oestradiol levels may cause feminization in males. These side effects include gynecomastia (man boobs) and fat around the waist among others.
High Cholesterol increases the risk of heart attach, stroke, and other vascular events.
You will need to fast for testing for this to be accurate.Â
Increases risk of thrombus (clot) formation in blood, increasing risk of heart attach, stroke, and other vascular events.
High creatinine may indicate kidney injury, increased muscle mass, breakdown of excess muscle, or supplement use.
Elevated Liver Function Tests indicate liver inflammation, likely due to PIED use. This indicates the liver is not functioning normally.
As you can see, there is a lot of contextual influence on results, including stage of cycle, fasting, or if you trained the day of testing. This service is designed to as an initial assessment and monitoring service. We encourage you to take these results to your GP to discuss in detail. We understand not all health professionals are open to discussing PIED use and are working on resources for PIEDs friendly health professionals.
As previously stated, Roidsafe does not encourage the use of PIED’s. It is hope with this information you may be ready to cease use and engage with treatment as required. If so, please contact your GP to start this process and get individualised advice.