Male Hormone Journey: Part 1 of 3

💡 I am not a doctor, nor do I have formal medical training. These are personal notes from my journey to understanding my physiology as an aging man.
It is critical to become your own health advocate. Western medicine often focuses on treating sickness, not optimizing health. If you ask your doctor about some of the information below, they may raise an eyebrow and say, "Okay..."—and you’ll wonder, why didn’t they bring this up sooner?
Consider all notes below as intrigue for your own journey, to be discussed with healthcare professionals.

There are so many factors that contribute to your overall well-being. Supplements are a billion-dollar industry, and I’m sure you’re paying monthly for at least a couple right now.

The problem? Many of them are bandaids and based on guesswork.

Stop guessing. Get bloodwork and begin the journey.

This panel is comprehensive. There are a few ways to go about getting it:

1. Send the list to your PCP and ask them to send a script to Quest (or similar).

2. Go directly to Quest and navigate paying out of pocket or using insurance.

3. Go through a men’s health clinic.

💡 Important Note: Donating blood (to manage viscosity) is different from getting bloodwork (to test and manage your hormones). You need to be doing both.

If you’re on any kind of hormone treatment, you cannot donate blood normally. You need a script from your doctor to go to a location that will discard your blood instead of using it for donations.

Make sure your results are tagged to your account in Quest (or similar) so you can track your history over time.

I included the full panel on a downloadable PDF. This is what I personally tested for:

• IRON, TIBC AND FERRITIN PANEL – Evaluates iron levels and storage, ensuring proper oxygen delivery to tissues and optimal energy levels.

• ADVANCED LIPID PANEL W/ INFLAMMATION, CARDIO IQ® – Assesses cholesterol and inflammation markers to monitor cardiovascular health, which is vital for hormone production.

• TESTOSTERONE, FREE (DIALYSIS) & TOTAL (MS) – Measures both total and bioavailable testosterone critical for muscle growth, libido, and energy.

• SEX HORMONE BINDING GLOBULIN (SHBG) – Determines how much testosterone is bound and unavailable, helping to evaluate free testosterone levels.

• ESTRADIOL, ULTRASENSITIVE (LC/MS) – Detects even small amounts of estrogen, essential for maintaining a balanced testosterone-to-estrogen ratio.

• DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) – A potent form of testosterone linked to hair loss and prostate health.

• COMPREHENSIVE METABOLIC PANEL (CMP) – Evaluates overall metabolic function, including kidney and liver health.

• VITAMIN D, 25-OH, TOTAL (IA) – Critical for testosterone production and immune support.

• T3 REVERSE (LC/MS/MS) – Measures reverse T3, a thyroid marker that can indicate slowed metabolism and energy production.

• IGF-1 (LC/MS) – Evaluates insulin-like growth factor 1, reflecting growth hormone activity for muscle growth and cellular repair.

• HEMOGLOBIN A1c – Tracks average blood sugar levels over three months, identifying risks of insulin resistance.

• THYROID PANEL (TSH, T3, T4, ANTIBODIES) – Monitors thyroid function, energy levels, and metabolism.

• CBC (Complete Blood Count) – Checks overall health, including red and white blood cells, which impact oxygen delivery.

• VITAMIN B12/FOLATE PANEL – Monitors B vitamins crucial for energy production and brain health.

• DHEA SULFATE – A precursor hormone to testosterone, indicating adrenal gland health.

• INSULIN – Assesses insulin levels, identifying risks of insulin resistance or diabetes.

• PROLACTIN – High levels can suppress testosterone and cause sexual dysfunction.

• PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen, Total) – Tracks prostate health and screens for issues like cancer.

Download the full PDF panel here:

💡 Get this entire list tested at least once year. Most doctors won’t check all of these unless you ask.

Once you have your bloodwork, you’ll need to understand what your numbers mean. That’s where the next step of the journey begins—breaking down the key markers that matter and how they interact.

👉 Continue to Part 2: Breaking Down Your Hormones & Key Markers