1. Why bloodwork matters
Bloodwork does three things in a peptide research context:
- Screens for contraindications before you start. A pre-existing condition you didn't know about (elevated IGF-1, borderline diabetes, thyroid dysfunction) can make certain protocols significantly riskier.
- Objectively confirms the compound is working. Feeling better is useful but not sufficient — bloodwork confirms IGF-1 elevation for GH protocols, shows metabolic improvement for GLP-1 protocols, etc.
- Detects early adverse changes before they become clinical problems. Rising fasting glucose, elevated liver enzymes, or IGF-1 above range — all are manageable if caught early.
2. Baseline panel (pre-cycle)
Get this before starting any new cycle — ideally 1–2 weeks before the first injection:
| Test | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Full blood count (FBC/CBC) | Haematological baseline — flags anaemia, infection, or abnormal cell counts |
| Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) | Liver function (ALT, AST, ALP), kidney function (creatinine, eGFR), electrolytes |
| Fasting glucose + HbA1c | Insulin resistance / diabetes screening — relevant for GH-axis protocols |
| Fasting insulin | More sensitive marker of insulin resistance than glucose alone |
| IGF-1 | Baseline GH/IGF-1 axis status — critical reference for GH-axis protocols |
| Thyroid panel (TSH, Free T3, Free T4) | GH signalling affects thyroid conversion; catch dysfunction before it's compounded |
| Lipid panel | GH can alter lipid profile; useful baseline |
| PSA (males 40+) | GH stimulates prostate tissue; useful baseline for older males |
💡 Tip: If you can only afford one test, prioritise: IGF-1 + fasting glucose + HbA1c + CMP. These catch the most common contraindications and provide the most useful monitoring reference.
3. On-cycle monitoring
Repeat key tests at 6–8 weeks into a cycle:
| Test | What to look for |
|---|---|
| IGF-1 (GH protocols) | Should be elevated 20–50% above baseline. Above 400 ng/mL warrants dose reduction. |
| Fasting glucose (GH protocols) | Should not meaningfully increase above baseline. Rising glucose = GH-driven insulin resistance signal. |
| CMP (any protocol) | Liver and kidney function — should remain within reference ranges. |
| Blood pressure | GH can elevate BP via fluid retention. Easy to measure at any pharmacy. |
4. Post-cycle assessment
Get bloodwork 4–6 weeks after your last injection to confirm washout and return to baseline:
- IGF-1 should return to pre-cycle baseline (or close to it)
- Fasting glucose / HbA1c should normalise if elevated on-cycle
- PSA (if tested at baseline) should not be significantly elevated
- Thyroid markers should be stable
Post-cycle bloodwork also gives you data to compare with baseline — confirming what, if anything, changed over the cycle. This is valuable for planning future protocols.
5. Tests by peptide class
| Peptide class | Priority tests |
|---|---|
| GH secretagogues | IGF-1, fasting glucose, HbA1c, blood pressure, thyroid panel |
| GLP-1 agonists (semaglutide, etc.) | HbA1c, fasting glucose, lipid panel, CMP (especially amylase/lipase — pancreatitis risk) |
| BPC-157, TB-500 | CMP baseline — low additional monitoring required for healthy individuals |
| Melanocortin (PT-141, MT-2) | Blood pressure monitoring — melanocortin peptides can cause transient BP elevation |
| Cognitive (Semax, Selank) | No specific biomarker monitoring required for healthy individuals; baseline CMP |
| Thymosin Alpha-1, LL-37 | Immune markers if immunocompromised; CRP / ESR as inflammatory baseline |
6. How to get tested
Options in Australia:
- GP referral: Most cost-effective — Medicare covers standard panels. The challenge is justifying the full panel without revealing the research context. Framing as “I want a general health check and am particularly interested in my IGF-1 and metabolic markers” usually works.
- Private pathology (no GP required): Services like Lyric Health, Afar Health, and Direct Labs allow you to order panels online and get tested at a pathology centre without a GP referral. More expensive but completely in your control.
- At-home testing: Finger-prick postal tests are available for some markers. Less reliable for IGF-1 and extended panels.
ℹ️ Note: You don't need to disclose that you're using research peptides to get relevant bloodwork ordered. The tests themselves are standard health screening panels that any person can reasonably request.