77: Hormone Testing 101

Confessions of a Male Gynecologist

Confession: You are being lied to about hormone testing, and, in many cases, you’re either not being tested enough or being tested way too much.

There are many “hormone experts” out there, and the information they share is often wildly contradictory. From providers who say hormone imbalance doesn’t exist to those who only want to see results from a specific day of your cycle, how do you filter out the valuable insights from the noise?

When it comes to your hormones, I always say, “test, don’t guess.” Today I’m sharing everything you need to know about hormone testing so you can be empowered when you go to your OBGYN, naturopath, or whichever provider you prefer to see. We’re talking about the pros and cons of different hormone tests, how you can determine which tests to ask for, details about how testing is done, how to spot red flags, and more.

Highlights

Why a rigid approach to testing doesn’t make sense

The right time to test your hormones

Why hormone testing is crucial

Red flags that suggest your provider isn’t a hormone expert

The problem with saliva testing and the cases where it’s worth it

Pros and cons of serum/blood testing

Hormones and proteins I prefer to check through serum testing

How DUTCH tests work

Advantages and disadvantages of urine testing

Why I believe DUTCH tests are overused

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Resources

Dr. Tassone's Practice https://www.drshawntassone.com/

The Hormone Balance Bible https://tassonemd.com/hormone-balance-bible/

Hormone Archetype Quiz https://tassonemd.lpages.co/hormonearchetypequiz/

Disclaimer This podcast and website represent the opinions of Dr. Shawn Tassone and his guests. The content here should not be taken as medical advice and is for informational purposes only. Because each person is so unique, please consult your health care professional for any medical questions.