[Lotus]

I pulled up this valuable info from Monika as it relates to hormone testing:

Also, this is a good self assessment test:
http://www.theantiagingdoctor.com/Survey.htm

Lotus, my only issue with Transfemme/BB is that all sites that mention BO and what it is alleged to do can ultimately be traced back to TF/BB, and I just want some independent corroboration that BO reprograms the pituitary to convert T into E. I'm something of a natural-born skeptic and I'd like independent proof.

CK, as for blood tests, you need total T, SHBG, albumin (which is usually part of a complete metabolic panel that is very common), and estradiol at the very least. I find estradiol a very hard sell unless you are experiencing a lot of breast pain and growth. Most medicos refuse to order it.

Estradiol should be 21.80-30.11 pg/mL. Anything higher or lower in a male is associated with a shorter lifespan. http://www.lef.org/protocols/male_reprod...ion_01.htm Look for the box near the bottom about estrogen balance.

Total T is largely useless, but most doctors cling to it as the standard, and the reference range is wide (291-739 ng/dL at my lab) and lab-dependent.

With total T, SHBG, and albumin, you can calculate free T here: http://www.issam.ch/freetesto.htm I have to assume this is an accurate calculator since Johns Hopkins recommended its use on a reference card aimed at doctors about male hypogonadism.

Free T should be in the range of 9-30 ng/dL. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/t...tive/83686

If you want blood tests and don't want to ask a doctor or can't get the doctor to order them for you, check out The Life Extension Foundation www.lef.org. They offer all kinds of hormone panels, individual tests, and recommended male or female panels, etc. They also offer an annual discount period roughly from April-June. Members get an additional discount. They do their testing through Labcorp so if you have a nearby Labcorp lab, they send you a requisition, you go, get the blood drawn, and LEF mails and/or emails you the results. If there is no Labcorp in your area, they send you a kit, you go to whatever lab is near you, pay a fee for drawing the blood, then ship the vials off to be tested, etc.