First Figure Competition Prep — What to Expect from 16 Weeks Out to Stage Day.

Estradiol gets overlooked a lot yet it can impact mood libido and overall well-being.

Free testosterone is often more useful than total testosterone when evaluating symptoms

SHBG is a big one since it affects how much testosterone is actually available

Hematocrit is important to monitor especially for anyone on TRT

Many people ignore LH and FSH but they can reveal a lot about hormone production.

Estradiol balance is just as important as testosterone levels in my experience

Free T is the first marker I check after total testosterone

Prolactin is underrated and can affect libido and sexual function

Hemoglobin and hematocrit deserve more attention than they usually get.

DHEA levels can provide useful insight into overall hormone health

Thyroid markers like TSH and Free T4 are often forgotten but can influence symptoms

Cortisol can impact energy recovery and hormone balance more than people realize

Lipid panels often get ignored even though hormone therapy can affect cholesterol.

Free testosterone and SHBG together usually tell a much clearer story than total testosterone alone.

Insulin sensitivity and fasting glucose are important pieces of the puzzle