Men with high levels can expect the following:
Increased Muscle Mass
Increased Strength
Decreased Body-Fat
Increased Clarity of Thought
Increased Energy
Enhanced Mood
Increased Libido
Getting your testosterone and other hormone levels tested is very important - no matter whether you're on a steroid cycle or just doing it for good health. And saliva tests are the most-convenient and least-invasive way to measure testosterone. But part of the medical community claims that saliva testing isn't accurate enough and blood tests are the way to go. That said, should you even bother with saliva? In a perfect world, all bodybuilders would visit their doctor and get a blood test for their testosterone levels twice a year and if they are not natural, then also before, during and after a steroid cycle. This is of course highly important because you want to make sure that your testosterone levels have returned to normal following post-cycle therapy with a product like Test Stack 17.
Going beyond steroid cycles, it's a good idea for any man or woman to get their blood tested at different stages of their life. For women, it's nice to see what their hormonal balance is following menopause. Aging men can certainly benefit from these blood tests too since testosterone declines as we get older. But do people visit their doctor and get regular tests done?
The second point is especially common among bodybuilders who are juicing. After all, what chance do you have of explaining wildly fluctuating testosterone levels when you're a rock-solid 230 pounds? And who wants to deal with a steroid lecture when your doctor doesn't buy the story that your testosterone levels declined considerably because you stopped taking Vitamin D supplements?
Of course, visiting the doctor and getting a blood test isn't the only way to measure testosterone and other hormonal levels. There are also home-based tests that you can do involving saliva. The advantages of testosterone testing with saliva is that it's easier and less invasive. But many people claim that saliva tests aren't nearly as accurate as those involving blood. That said, are these tests complete junk or worth a try? Let's explore this question by looking at how saliva testing works and what the medical community thinks.
There are various products that you can use to measure your testosterone and overall hormonal balance from home. And the exact steps that you take to complete these tests and how many samples are needed will vary based on the product.
But the basic jest is that you start by collecting your saliva samples, as per the instructions. A saliva test measures for circulating levels of hormones available to body tissues in men and women. It's generally believed that saliva is better than blood at measuring biologically active hormone levels because it more accurately reflects the body's functional hormone status.
Once you've taken the samples, the next step is to send them to a laboratory for testing. Depending upon the lab and their location, you can expect the results back within a few days to a few weeks.
The endocrine (hormonal) test results should come back with an explanation of how well your testosterone levels relate to your age group. If the levels are better than average, then you have little reason to worry. But if they're low or just "normal", then you should use a testosterone booster like Test Stack No.17 to help get your test level into the highest end of normal. Assuming you're really worried about your low testosterone, the safest thing to do is schedule a visit with your doctor.
Divided Opinion on Saliva Testing Accuracy:
Measuring your testosterone levels at home sounds like a dream, especially when you want to avoid judgmental doctors. However, there's a catch and it revolves around whether or not saliva testing is as reliable as doctor-administered blood tests. Opinions vary in the medical community over the reliability of saliva tests. For example, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) recommends that blood testing be used to measure testosterone and other sex-related hormones. In their Medical Guidelines for Clinical Practice, the AACE claims that saliva testing offers high variance in the results while blood tests are much more consistent.
Should you use Saliva Tests:
Although some organizations may question the reliability of this testing, there seems to be enough backing behind saliva tests to make them worth using. This is especially the case if you have no means of measuring testosterone levels and can't visit a doctor. A simple internet search will reveal a number of different products that you can use to administer a saliva test. And I highly recommend that you get one if you've never done an endocrine (testosterone) test before.
- Measuring the effectiveness of products with hormones (i.e. oral steroids, inject able steroids, testosterone accelerators and other supplements) or their precursors.
- Monitoring the results of hormone replacement therapy.
- Monitoring potential age-related reductions in hormone levels, which greatly contribute to decreased energy, infertility, low libido, loss in muscle, and an increase in menopause symptoms.
- Measuring the effect of phytoestrogens consumed in foods and herbs.
Once again, if you don't visit the doctor for blood testing, then you should strongly consider getting a saliva test. They are quick and will save you time, money and some invasive questions by the doctor.
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