REFERENCE TOOL

Glossary & Lab Reference

A practical reference for acronyms, laboratory terminology, adult-oriented lab ranges, and monitoring concepts used throughout the Compound Research Library.

Research reference

Use this page as an educational reference, not as individualized medical advice. Laboratory results, monitoring decisions, contraindications, and treatment choices should be reviewed with a qualified clinician.

Acronyms & glossary

Use this glossary to quickly decode the acronyms and clinical terminology that appear throughout compound profiles and monitoring tables.

503A / 503BFDA compounding pharmacy categories

AASAnabolic androgenic steroid (Testosterone, EQ, Tren)

ABCDEMole criteria: Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolution

AIAromatase inhibitor

AMPKAMP-activated protein kinase

ASAAmerican Society of Anesthesiologists

AST / ALTLiver enzymes

BACBacteriostatic water (sterile water + 0.9% benzyl alcohol)

BDNF / NGFBrain-derived / nerve growth factor

BMP / CMPBasic / comprehensive metabolic panel

BRCAHereditary breast/ovarian cancer syndrome

BUNBlood urea nitrogen

CBCComplete blood count

HctHematocrit (RBC %)

CD3/CD4/CD8/NKImmune T-cell / NK panel

CIRSChronic inflammatory response syndrome

CKDChronic kidney disease

COACertificate of analysis (purity/potency)

CYP3A4Cytochrome P450 3A4

DACDrug Affinity Complex (albumin-binding; long-acting CJC-1295)

DOACDirect oral anticoagulant

DPP-4Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (degrades GLP-1)

eGFREstimated glomerular filtration rate

EODEvery other day

FDA / EMAUS / European medicines regulators

GERDGastroesophageal reflux disease

GHRHGrowth hormone releasing hormone

GHRPGrowth hormone releasing peptide

GHS-RGH secretagogue (ghrelin) receptor

GIPGlucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide

GLP-1Glucagon-like peptide-1

GnRHGonadotropin-releasing hormone

GSH / GSSGReduced (active) / oxidized (spent) glutathione

gynoGynecomastia (male breast-tissue growth)

HbA1cGlycated hemoglobin (3-month glucose average)

HPA axisHypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis

HPG axisHypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis

HPTAHypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis

hsCRPHigh-sensitivity C-reactive protein

IBDInflammatory bowel disease

ICH-GCPGood clinical practice standard

IGF-1Insulin-like growth factor 1

IGFBPIGF binding protein

IM / IV / IDIntramuscular / intravenous / intradermal

IUInternational unit

LH / FSHLuteinizing / follicle-stimulating hormone

Li-FraumeniHereditary multi-cancer (TP53) syndrome

LynchHereditary colorectal cancer syndrome

MAOIMonoamine oxidase inhibitor

mcg / µgMicrogram (1/1000 of a milligram)

MEN 2Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2

MIMyocardial infarction

MMAMethylmalonic acid (B12 marker)

MTCMedullary thyroid carcinoma

NAD+Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide

NMPAChina medical products administration

NNMTNicotinamide N-methyltransferase

NSAIDNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug

OHSSOvarian hyperstimulation syndrome

PCTPost-cycle therapy

PDE5Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor

PK / PDPharmacokinetics / pharmacodynamics

PSAProstate-specific antigen

RCTRandomized controlled trial

SCFESlipped capital femoral epiphysis

SERMSelective estrogen receptor modulator

SHBGSex hormone binding globulin

SSRI / SNRISerotonin / serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

SubQ / SCSubcutaneous (under the skin)

t½Half-life

TmaxTime to peak plasma

T2DMType 2 diabetes mellitus

TMAOTrimethylamine N-oxide

TNF-αTumor necrosis factor alpha

TRT / HRTTestosterone / hormone replacement therapy

TSH / fT4Thyroid stimulating hormone / free thyroxine

U-100100-unit/mL insulin syringe (1 unit = 0.01 mL)

ULNUpper limit of normal

USPI / EPARUS label / EU assessment report

USPSTFUS Preventive Services Task Force

VEGFVascular endothelial growth factor

Monitoring schedule by class

Monitoring considerations differ by compound class. Use this table as a high-level reference, then review the individual compound profile for additional cautions and monitoring context.

Class / examples	Examples	Baseline	Weeks 4–8	End / chronic
A — GLP-1 / dual / triple agonists	Semaglutide, Tirzepatide, Retatrutide	BMP/CMP, CBC, HbA1c, lipids, TSH; pregnancy testing where relevant	BMP during escalation; lipase if abdominal pain	HbA1c/lipids; renal monitoring; eye exam yearly as a reference point
B — GH secretagogues	CJC No DAC, Tesamorelin, Ipamorelin	IGF-1, fasting glucose, HbA1c, lipids, cancer screening	Fasting glucose at weeks 4–8	IGF-1 about every 3 months; dermatology every 6–12 months as a reference point
C — Melanocortin agonists	MT-1, MT-2, PT-141	Dermatology mole map; blood-pressure log	Blood pressure before each dose as a reference point	Course-based follow-up; no continuous monitoring listed
D/E — Short peptides / nootropics	Epithalon, Pinealon; Selank, Semax	CBC, CMP; tissue marker where applicable	Subjective follow-up	No additional schedule specified here
F — HPG axis	HCG, Kisspeptin	Hormone panel, CBC/Hct, lipids; PSA/semen analysis where applicable	Estradiol + Hct at weeks 4–6	Hct/E2 about every 3 months; PSA by age as a reference point
G — Lipotropic blends	Lipo-C, MIC, L-Carnitine and related blends	B12, folate, MMA, homocysteine, TSH, liver enzymes, Hct	—	B12 + homocysteine every 3–6 months on chronic use as a reference point
H — Recombinant proteins	HGH/Somatropin, IGF-1, IGF-1 LR3	IGF-1, fasting glucose, HbA1c, thyroid, AM cortisol, lipids, cancer screening	Fasting glucose at weeks 4–8	IGF-1/HbA1c about every 3 months; thyroid about every 6 months as a reference point
I — Anabolic androgenic steroids	Testosterone, Equipoise, Trenbolone	Hormones, CBC/Hct, lipids, PSA, liver tests, BP; ECG if cardiac risk	Hct + E2 around week 6	Hct/lipids/E2 every 8–12 weeks; PSA by age as a reference point

Important context

Topical and aesthetic products generally do not require the same routine laboratory monitoring as systemic compounds, while clinician-administered procedures should be evaluated in their own clinical context. Several experimental compounds also lack validated human monitoring schedules.