Hormone Health Hub: Expert Insights on Testing, Balance & Better Living — testosterone

As men age, they may experience a decline in testosterone levels which can lead to a range of symptoms commonly referred to as male menopause or andropause. This condition is not as well-known as female menopause, but it can have a significant impact on a man's quality of life. Fortunately, there are treatments available, including hormone testing, to help alleviate the symptoms associated with male menopause. What is Male Menopause? Male menopause is a condition caused by a decline in testosterone levels as a man ages. Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone and is responsible for many of the...

Written By Dr Allison McAllister It’s an everyday occurrence when someone calls the doc line at the lab and wants to know how they can change the labs to improve their patients’ symptoms. However, it’s important to take a step back and look at what labs can tell us. While it’s true that abnormal lab findings can contribute to symptoms – high thyroid-stimulating hormone reflects hypothyroidism, high testosterone reflects polycystic ovary syndrome, and hyperandrogenism or low cortisol may contribute to fatigue. Yet, in many other conditions, labs reflect the medical condition happening in that patient’s body and not a cause...

Dr David Zava of ZRT Laboratory explores how topical bioidentical hormone therapy (BHRT) distributes differently across body fluids — and why saliva and dried blood spot testing offer a more accurate picture of tissue hormone levels than serum or urine.

By Margaret Groves, ZRT Laboratory Low testosterone in older men, often referred to as “male menopause” or even “andropause” is fairly well known — and testosterone replacement therapy in this age group has not been without its share of controversy, particularly with respect to heart health. Proper testing and dosing are all-important, as well as understanding a man’s physiology and all the factors that affect testosterone levels. For example, when giving testosterone transdermally it is critical to use testing methods such as dried blood spot or saliva to properly assess absorption of testosterone into the body, avoiding the problem of overdosing to achieve “normal”...

The relationship between testosterone therapy and cardiovascular risk in men is one of the most debated topics in men's health. Headlines have warned of increased heart attack risk, yet the research tells a more nuanced story. Age, pre-existing cardiovascular disease, oestrogen levels, dosage, and delivery method all appear to play significant roles. This article examines the key findings from a major insurance-data study, explores the clinical questions it raises, and explains what men and their doctors should consider before starting or continuing testosterone therapy.