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Unfortunately, not everyone who works with, talks about, or advises on testosterone is genuinely knowledgeable about it. Yes, there are many doctors who discuss testosterone yet know nothing about it. For example, it has a half-life of around 7 days. That means that in around 7 days, half of the drug will be out of your system or will no longer be acting on you. So, if you’re at 1000 on Monday, which is shot day, you’ll most likely be at 500 the following Monday if the math holds.

This is critical when taking blood to check your testosterone levels. All too often, folks will have their shot on Monday and then have their blood drawn on Tuesday or Wednesday. They are then taken aback when their test results are too high for their doctor. Many doctors are unable to read blood tests and must rely on reference ranges. If the number on the report is outside of the range, it is poor regardless. So, if you ask a doctor how my testosterone is, and it’s in the 200-800 area, as I’ve seen, and your test level is 955, they’ll tell you that you need to reduce your testosterone.

The issue is that you want to be at the upper end of the range on trough day, or when your testosterone is at its lowest. If you talk to your doctor, any doctor, regarding testosterone, assume they don’t know anything about it and have your blood checked as far away from the injection as possible. I teach medical doctors how to use hormone therapy all the time, and this is still a problem for them. I’d like to urge you to only work with people who know what they’re doing, but many of them will tell you they do but don’t.

If you tell your doctor you’re on testosterone and they don’t run a CBC and CMP, simply testosterone levels, they have NO IDEA what they’re doing. I had a patient who went to the doctor and informed him that he was on testosterone. The doctor took his test levels and ordered him to cease taking medication without questioning when he took it. The doctor never ordered a CBC and CMP.

His test level at the trough was 1100, which was too high for the doctor. That, by the way, was taken a day and a half after he shot. So, in this scenario, he may be taking too little, rather than too much. Take care who you listen to for health advice.

As always if you have any questions, please send them to [email protected]

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Dr. Matt Chalmers

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. Before taking any action based on this information you should first consult with your physician or health care provider. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions regarding a medical condition, your health, or wellness.