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

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.

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.

Testosterone has long been associated with aggression — but new research is revealing a far more nuanced picture. A study published in Nature Communications, involving ZRT Laboratory, found that a single dose of testosterone significantly increased young men’s preference for luxury, status-enhancing goods. Dr. Kate Placzek explores the neuroendocrine science behind this finding — and what it reveals about testosterone’s role in dopamine, reward and social behaviour.

An FDA-approved testosterone gel was shown to significantly increase cardiovascular risk in older men — but does this mean testosterone therapy is dangerous? ZRT Laboratory’s research suggests the real problem lies in how testosterone is measured. Venous serum testing dramatically underestimates tissue exposure to topical testosterone, leading to pharmacological overdosing that goes undetected. This article explains why the testing method matters as much as the dose.

Explore why many men on topical testosterone replacement therapy may be unintentionally over-dosed due to outdated serum testing methods and misunderstood dosing principles. Learn how saliva and dried blood spot testing better reflect bioavailable testosterone delivered to tissues, why physiological dosing matters, and how excessive testosterone may suppress natural hormone production, reduce receptor sensitivity, and negatively affect long-term symptom management and hormonal balance.