As Guys Get older, They Often Become Moody or withdrawn.
What used to be fun or enjoyable in life now leaves them cold. And just like how women go through menopause as they age, men can experience something similar.
Male hormonal change, also known as andropause, happens when testosterone levels begin to decline, which usually starts happening in the early 40s. Like women's hormonal change, known as menopause, it begins when their body stops making as much estrogen and progesterone. But for guys, it's their testosterone levels that are affected.
It's important to know that these changes can be powerful yet often overlooked by doctors. This means that guys might not get the help that they need. When testosterone levels start to drop, the amount of protein that binds testosterone (sex hormone-binding globulin) increases, which can lower the amount of free testosterone in the body. Unless the level of free testosterone is sought and assessed, a man’s symptoms are often ignored, and he is blown off as having a "mid-life crisis," or his physician diagnoses depression and an antidepressant is prescribed.
Testosterone is an important anabolic hormone in men. It plays many roles in maintaining both physical and mental health by increasing energy, preventing fatigue, maintaining a normal sex drive, and increasing the strength of structural tissues.
Testosterone deficiency is often associated with symptoms such as
- Night Sweats
- Hot Flashes
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Loss of Energy
- Aches and Pains
- Reduced Flexibility
- Low Sex Drive (libido)
- Decreased Mental Acuity
- Loss of Muscle Mass
Testosterone deficiency during andropause can lead to serious consequences such as insulin resistance and diabetes. To counter andropause symptoms, stress management, exercise, proper nutrition, dietary supplements (especially zinc and selenium), and androgen replacement therapy can all help increase androgen levels in men. However, it's important to discuss androgen replacement therapy with a qualified healthcare provider.
In addition to insufficient testosterone, men also commonly experience an excess amount of estradiol relative to progesterone during andropause. This hormonal imbalance can be detected through saliva testing and has been associated with prostate gland diseases such as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and prostate cancer.
Insufficient testosterone is not the only hormone imbalance that a man experiences. An excess amount of estradiol relative to progesterone is routinely discovered in the saliva during andropause, which is known to be associated with prostate gland diseases such as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and prostate gland cancer.
Your Hormone Management Testing Plan
- Step 1: Start by selecting and ordering your desired test(s). You will receive an at-home testing kit that fits your unique concerns and needs. No prescription or visit to the doctor’s office is required. Your test kit is delivered directly to your front door.
- Step 2: Take the test to establish the starting hormone baseline at the beginning of your plan. Consider developing your plan alongside:
- a licensed health care provider for medical conditions, especially for severe "out of normal range" results
- or a Health Care Coach for nutrition and supplements that will support your desired results
- Step 3: Develop a plan based on your hormone test results, establishing a one-year or more outlook.
- Keep logs of your intakes, and daily routines related to your hormone test results.
- Keep logs of your intakes, and daily routines related to your hormone test results.
- Step 4: After 6-12 months of actively working on your plan, take the same test again to determine your progress.
Men's Vitality Hormone Profile Suite
Maximize the benefits of your fitness and health regimen. Tracking your hormone levels prevents ineffective strategies, unnecessary supplements, and disappointing results.
We’ve formulated three CLIA-certified hormone test profiles designed to provide progressively deeper insights into male hormonal health:
- Men’s Vitality Core Profile: 8 tests, a foundational assessment of key hormones that regulate testosterone balance, metabolism, and recovery
- Men’s Vitality I Profile: 12 tests, builds on Vitality Core Profile by expanding insights into Thyroid Metabolism assessment
- Men’s Vitality II Profile: 13 tests, builds on Vitality Core Profile by assessing precursors, excitatory, and inhibitory hormones affecting the production and efficacy of testosterone. Optional Add-on: 4 tests for Thyroid Metabolism assessment
Profile Key Differences
| Hormone or Metabolite Tested | Vitality Core | Vitality I | Vitality II |
|---|---|---|---|
| E1, E2, Pg, T, DS, C (LCMS) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| SHBG, PSA (LIA) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Thyroid (TSH, FT3, FT4, TPOab) (LIA-EIA) | ❌ | ✅ | ✅(add-on) |
| LH, FSH (LIA) | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| A1c, Insulin (ITA, EIA) | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| hsCRP (EIA) | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
Choosing the Right Test for You:
Selecting the right hormone panel depends on your health goals and concerns. Here’s a simple guide to help you decide:
-
Men’s Vitality Core Profile (Blood Spot)
- Best for foundational insights into male hormone balance and prostate health.
- Ideal if you want to monitor testosterone levels, estrogen balance, stress hormones (cortisol & DHEA-S), and prostate health (PSA).
-
Men’s Vitality I Profile (Blood Spot)
- Includes everything in the Core Profile plus a full thyroid metabolism assessment.
- Best if you're experiencing fatigue, weight gain, or slow metabolism and want to assess thyroid function (TSH, Free T3, Free T4, and TPO antibodies).
-
Men’s Vitality II Profile (Blood Spot)
- Most comprehensive—assessing not just testosterone and thyroid (add-on) but also fertility markers, inflammation, and blood sugar regulation.
- Best for those concerned with testosterone production signals (LH & FSH), metabolic health (A1c, insulin), and inflammation (hsCRP).
Additional Resources:
- Unleashing Your Power: The Impact of Male Hormones
- Why Hormones Matter for Men at Any Age
- How Men's Hormones Make for Mood Spikes
- Estrogen is Essential
- Testosterone Controversy: Can Supplements Make You Young Again?
- Men and Hormones : Male Menopause
- Growth Hormone and Resistance Training
- Andropause Subtle Yet True
- His Advanced Plus
