· Dr. Handsun Xiao, MD, CCFP
Why 'Age-Appropriate' Hormone Levels Are a Flawed Concept
Why 'normal for your age' is not the same as optimal, and how functional medicine approaches hormone interpretation differently.
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Thyroid and Hormones: Why You Can't Optimize One Without the Other
How thyroid function and sex hormones are interconnected, and why treating one without assessing the other produces incomplete results.
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Testosterone for Women: What Your Doctor Probably Never Mentioned
Why testosterone matters for women's health, how it influences libido, energy, and cognition, and why most physicians overlook it.
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How Insulin Resistance Is Quietly Destroying Your Testosterone
The bidirectional relationship between insulin resistance and low testosterone. How metabolic dysfunction drives hormonal decline and how to break the cycle.
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Testosterone Pellets vs Injections vs Creams: Choosing the Right Delivery Method
A physician's comparison of testosterone delivery methods: injections, transdermal creams, pellets, and troches. How to choose the right option for your protocol.
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Testosterone and Cardiovascular Health: What the Research Actually Shows
A physician's review of the evidence on testosterone therapy and cardiovascular risk. What the TRAVERSE trial demonstrated and what patients should understand.
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TRT and Fertility: What Men Need to Know Before Starting
Testosterone replacement therapy suppresses sperm production. How TRT affects male fertility, what alternatives exist, and how to plan treatment accordingly.
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Why Your Testosterone Is 'Normal' but You Still Feel Terrible
Why a testosterone level within the reference range does not mean your levels are optimal, and how free testosterone and SHBG reveal what standard blood work misses.
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Signs of Low Testosterone Most Men Ignore
A physician's guide to the early, often-missed symptoms of low testosterone in men. Why fatigue, irritability, and poor recovery are medical symptoms worth investigating.
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What Bloodwork Do I Need Before Starting Testosterone? A Physician's Guide
A detailed guide to the bloodwork and laboratory testing required before starting testosterone replacement therapy. Which markers to test, why each matters, and how comprehensive labs inform a safe protocol.
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