It's Not Just Testosterone
While testosterone gets the headlines, optimal male health depends on the coordinated function of multiple hormones. Focusing on testosterone alone while ignoring thyroid, cortisol, estrogen, and insulin is like tuning one instrument in an orchestra — you need them all in harmony.
The Key Players
Testosterone
The primary male hormone. Affects energy, muscle, mood, libido, bone density, and cardiovascular health. Both total and free testosterone matter — total can look normal while free (the active form) is low.
Estradiol (Estrogen)
Men need some estrogen — it's important for bone health, brain function, and libido. But too much causes weight gain, mood issues, fatigue, and gynecomastia. Aromatase enzyme converts testosterone to estrogen, especially in men with higher body fat.
Thyroid Hormones
Your metabolic thermostat. Even mildly suboptimal thyroid function causes fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, cold intolerance, and depression. TSH alone isn't enough — T3, T4, and thyroid antibodies tell the full story.
Cortisol
The stress hormone. Acute cortisol is protective. Chronic elevation destroys testosterone production, promotes abdominal fat, disrupts sleep, impairs immune function, and accelerates aging.
DHEA
A precursor hormone that supports immune function, energy, and serves as a building block for other hormones. Declines significantly with age.
Insulin
Not just about diabetes. Insulin resistance is epidemic in men over 35 and drives weight gain, inflammation, fatigue, and increased cardiovascular risk — often years before blood sugar goes abnormal.
Getting Tested
A comprehensive male hormone panel should include: total and free testosterone, estradiol, SHBG, TSH/T3/T4, fasting insulin, cortisol (AM), DHEA-S, CBC, metabolic panel, and lipids. Schedule your comprehensive evaluation.