Oct. 6, 2026

How to Read Your Hormone Labs Like a Doctor

How to Read Your Hormone Labs Like a Doctor
How to Read Your Hormone Labs Like a Doctor
The Dr. Chalmers Show
How to Read Your Hormone Labs Like a Doctor
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The Essential Blood Tests Your Doctor Should Be Ordering (But Probably Isn't)

Understanding your hormones is the foundation of optimal health, yet most people—and surprisingly, many doctors—don't know which blood tests to order to truly assess hormonal function. In this episode, Dr. Matt Chalmers breaks down the essential labs you need for hormone therapy, from testosterone and estrogen to thyroid markers and beyond. He explains why standard tests like TSH alone are incomplete, reveals the critical role of sex hormone-binding globulin, and shares how proper nutrient levels and inflammation control can reverse thyroid dysfunction in as little as six to eight weeks.

If you've felt dismissed by your doctor's approach to hormones or struggled with chronic health issues despite "normal" lab results, this conversation will fundamentally change how you think about your health.

Key Points in the Podcast: ESSENTIAL BLOOD TESTS FOR HORMONE THERAPY

Testosterone Panel:

  • Testosterone Total (total amount in your body)
  • Testosterone Free (amount available for use)
  • Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) — binds testosterone & estrogen, making them less available
  • Estradiol (because testosterone converts to estrogen)

Thyroid Panel:

  • TSH (brain hormone, not a thyroid hormone — incomplete by itself)
  • T4 & Free T4 (thyroid hormone levels)
  • T3 & Free T3 (active thyroid hormone)
  • TPO (thyroid antibodies/autoimmune markers)
  • Reverse T3 (RT3)
  • Optional: Thyroid Binding Globulin (TBG)

Additional Labs:

  • Fasting Insulin & A1C (critical for detecting insulin resistance)
  • CBC & CMP (liver levels, hemoglobin, hematocrit)
  • Hemoglobin/Hematocrit (blood viscosity indicator)
CRITICAL INSIGHTS ON THYROID DYSFUNCTION
  • 60% of people have thyroid issues that doctors miss
  • TSH alone is pointless — you need the full panel to understand actual thyroid function
  • High TSH + Low T3/T4 = thyroid not working
  • High TSH + High T3/T4 = brain problem (may need MRI)
  • High TSH + High T3/T4 + Still Feel Bad = mineral deficiency (iodine, selenium, zinc, magnesium, iron)
  • High TPO (antibodies) = focus on reducing inflammation & insulin resistance
THE 6-8 WEEK THYROID RESET PROTOCOL
  1. Baseline everything — ensure nutrients are optimal
  2. Eliminate parasites & parasitic eggs
  3. Reduce inflammation
  4. Fix gut health
  5. Balance core hormones — testosterone, estrogen, insulin, glucagon
  6. Manage stress
  7. Eliminate food allergies

Results: 60-70% of people with Hashimoto's & Graves see significant improvement

SEX HORMONE BINDING GLOBULIN (SHBG) — The Game Changer
  • Binds testosterone & estrogen, making them inactive
  • Lowering SHBG increases:
  • Energy
  • Strength
  • Reduces hot flashes & night sweats
  • BUT: Lowering SHBG also increases estrogen activation (requires doctor expertise)
  • Must be balanced carefully
BLOOD VISCOSITY (Hemoglobin/Hematocrit) MANAGEMENT

If blood gets too thick:

  1. Stay hydrated
  2. Exercise regularly
  3. Increase injection frequency (more stable levels = less viscosity issues)
  4. ⚠️ Avoid constant blood donation — teaches body to overproduce RBCs

Better to stay on testosterone + manage blood viscosity than quit testosterone

ROOT CAUSES OF THYROID DYSFUNCTION

Thyroid issues develop over time due to:

  • Infection
  • Inflammation
  • Nutrient deficiencies
  • Toxic overload
  • Body dysregulation

All can be reversed if caught early

WHY DOCTORS FAIL AT HORMONE THERAPY
  • No nutrition education — don't understand biochemistry
  • No hormone therapy training — taught it causes cancer
  • Incomplete lab testing — order wrong markers
  • Don't understand functional medicine — focus on symptoms, not root causes
THE BIGGER PICTURE: NUTRITION & CHRONIC DISEASE
  • Food nutrient density: 30% of what it was 50 years ago
  • Toxic load: 5,000% higher than 50 years ago
  • Most chemicals banned elsewhere but legal in the US (profitable)
  • Hormones control everything — regeneration, healing, metabolism
  • Solution: Work with practitioners educated in BOTH nutrition AND hormone therapy
GLP DRUGS (Ozempic, etc.) WARNING
  • People getting sick on GLPs because they're not:
  • Working out
  • Taking in nutrients
  • Detoxing properly
  • GLPs are acceleration — still need foundational health practices

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I answer them all and look forward to hearing from you.

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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