Is a baseline blood test really necessary before starting something like this?

Personal experience, labelled as such, is exactly right here. Nobody is prescribing.

Is a baseline blood test really necessary before starting something like this?

Ten percent cuts. Slower is faster.

Worth repeating that this is not medical advice and the answer often depends on who you are.

Careful with attribution. You changed the timing, the dose and the season. That is three variables.

The last ten percent of a taper takes as long as the first ninety. Nobody says so until you are in it.

Function over score.

Ten percent cuts. Slower is faster. Currently on a claim rejection myself.

Same here.

Followed, this answered three questions I had.