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

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” serum levels. But while...

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.

By Dr. Allison Smith, ZRT Laboratory Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) is one of the most overlooked variables in hormone health. It directly controls how much testosterone is biologically active in your body — yet it rarely appears on standard blood panels. Whether you're dealing with symptoms of low testosterone, androgen excess, or unexplained hormonal imbalance, understanding SHBG is essential to getting the full picture. What is SHBG? SHBG is a protein produced primarily in the liver that binds tightly to testosterone — and to a lesser degree, oestradiol (E2) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) — and carries them through the bloodstream....

When it comes to topical testosterone therapy, more is not always better. Dr. Allison Smith of ZRT Laboratory explains the U-shaped curve phenomenon — where both too little and too much testosterone produce the same symptoms — and why starting at low doses and titrating carefully is essential. She also outlines the key markers to check when a man’s testosterone numbers look good on paper but his symptoms persist.

Single nucleotide variations (SNVs) in the enzymes that metabolise estrogen can significantly alter breast cancer risk — in some cases by as much as 12-fold when multiple variants combine. In this detailed scientific overview, Jillian Harrington PhD of ZRT Laboratory explains how variations in CYP11A1, CYP19A1 (aromatase), CYP1B1, COMT and MnSOD affect the estrogen metabolism pathway, why catechol estrogens are dangerous, and how methylation testing can reveal individual vulnerability.