Join Our Newsletter https://alessifunctionalhealth.com/pages/health-decoded-newsletter
(0:00) Introduction to Hormone Replacement Therapy (1:47) Testosterone Replacement vs. Optimization (3:19) Benefits of Testosterone Optimization Therapy (6:30) Risks of Testosterone Abuse (7:32) Hormones in Health and Longevity (9:20) Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women (10:35) Key Takeaways and Conclusion00:00:00
Hormone replacement therapy, when done correctly, can be one of the most powerful
00:00:04
tools during perimenopause, menopause, and post menopause.
00:00:09
Symptoms like anxiety, poor sleep, brain fog, weight gain, mood swings, and then the loss of
00:00:15
drive or that identity are not things you just have to live with.
00:00:20
Peter Attia and many longevity focused physicians now openly say HRT is a missing link
00:00:26
for women's health, bone health, and overall long term vitality.
00:00:30
And when used correctly, estrogen supports the brain, progesterone supports sleep and
00:00:38
calmness, reducing of stress.
00:00:41
Testosterone, yes, even in women, supports strength, confidence, and overall metabolism.
00:00:47
Welcome to Health Decoded, your number one source for real health information with your
00:00:51
host doctor Alessi and Matt Tack.
00:00:58
Welcome to the Health That Decoded podcast.
00:01:01
This is your host, Matt Tack, and today's episode is gonna be a solo one.
00:01:05
But I'm excited about it, and we're diving into the topic that is absolutely on fire right now
00:01:11
in both men's and women's health.
00:01:14
And that topic is hormone replacement therapy specifically TRT or HRT for women and what we
00:01:21
actually practice in our clinic which is what we actually call TOT, because we want that
00:01:27
optimization piece to be plugged in, not the replacement.
00:01:31
So testosterone optimization therapy or hormone optimization therapy, Because let's be honest,
00:01:38
hormones are everywhere in the conversation right now, which is why I wanted to spend some
00:01:44
time to dig in a little further.
00:01:47
Some people swear by them, some people are scared by them, Some people think they're the
00:01:52
magic bullet, and others think they're just pure dangerous.
00:01:57
But the truth, like most things in health, there is more nuance to that.
00:02:03
So today, I wanna cut through the noise and talk about what actually is TRT and HRT, three
00:02:09
real pros, some two cons that I want you to know about, and when used correctly, it may be
00:02:16
one of the most powerful tools for longevity, and why women absolutely cannot be left out on
00:02:24
this conversation.
00:02:25
This isn't about hype.
00:02:27
This is about education.
00:02:28
So let's decode it.
00:02:30
Replacement versus optimization.
00:02:33
What does that even mean?
00:02:35
First, we need to clear something up.
00:02:37
Most people think TRT means replacing testosterone because you're low.
00:02:42
That's not how we approach it.
00:02:43
At our clinic, we focus on replacement.
00:02:46
We don't focus on replacement, I'm sorry.
00:02:49
We focus on optimization.
00:02:51
And that's why we call it TOT, testosterone optimization therapy.
00:02:54
I think this was actually taglined by Jay Campbell, so I'm going give you a shout out on
00:02:58
that.
00:02:59
So here's the difference.
00:03:01
Replacement says, let's get you barely into the range, so that you can operate.
00:03:06
Optimization says, let's get you into your best physiological version based on labs, symptoms,
00:03:13
lifestyle, and overall long term health.
00:03:16
You know, I always like quoting Peter Itzia.
00:03:19
He said this, the goal isn't to make testosterone super physiological.
00:03:25
The goal is to restore function, energy, body composition, and overall resilience.
00:03:31
And that's the key word, resilience, because testosterone isn't about ego, size, or
00:03:36
aggression.
00:03:37
It's about very key components of longevity, which are muscle mass, bone density, metabolic
00:03:43
health, mood mood and cognition, cardiovascular protection, and yes, just pure longevity.
00:03:52
So let's dig into the three pros that I have of TOT.
00:03:59
Let's start with the upside because when this is done right, the benefits can be absolutely
00:04:05
life changing.
00:04:06
Number one, lean muscle mass when used correctly, strength and overall metabolic
00:04:10
health.
00:04:11
Testosterone is one of the most powerful regulators of lean muscle mass.
00:04:17
Let's get more specific.
00:04:19
More muscle means better insulin sensitivity, higher resting metabolism, lower risk of
00:04:27
diabetes, stronger bones, and just pure better aging as age progresses itself.
00:04:34
I again want to go back to Peter Ottia.
00:04:36
I love following what he has to say, and he's very clear on this.
00:04:40
Muscle mass is one of the strongest predictors of longevity as we age, and therefore
00:04:47
testosterone supports the one that protects us the most as we get older.
00:04:53
That is absolutely strength being more powerful in your body.
00:04:59
So number two: mental health drive cognition, cognitive function.
00:05:07
Low testosterone doesn't just affect the body, it affects the brain.
00:05:13
Men with low testosterone, then I'm going get into the women, I'm not going to leave you
00:05:16
alone, but it operates the same way.
00:05:19
Brain fog, low motivation, anxiety or depression symptoms, poor confidence, and
00:05:24
reduced resilience to stress.
00:05:26
There's many different stress factors hitting us on a daily basis.
00:05:31
And do we have resilience?
00:05:32
Ask yourself that question.
00:05:34
So optimized testosterone often improves focus, mood stability, emotional resilience, and the
00:05:40
motivation to train, eat well, and sleep better.
00:05:43
And I'll dig into that a little bit later into this episode, but this isn't about becoming
00:05:49
someone new.
00:05:51
It's about feeling like yourself again, of which you were.
00:05:55
You need to go get that.
00:05:56
So let's dig into the pro number three, which is recovery energy and overall vitality.
00:06:02
When testosterone is optimized, not abused, it's a very clear term, not abused, patients
00:06:07
often report better recovery from training, improved sleep quality, more consistent energy
00:06:14
throughout the day, and less inflammation and joint pain.
00:06:19
So this is why testosterone often becomes a force multiplier.
00:06:23
What does that mean?
00:06:24
It doesn't replace the good habits, it makes them work better.
00:06:30
But I just don't want to stop there because I want to give you some cons.
00:06:33
I want to be real here.
00:06:34
I want to be transparent and why people get this wrong sometimes.
00:06:39
So let's talk about the other side, and this is where people get into trouble.
00:06:45
Testosterone has been abused.
00:06:47
So let's be very clear.
00:06:48
Testosterone got a bad reputation because it's been abused, not because it's inherently
00:06:54
dangerous.
00:06:56
Problems arise when doses are too high, you are not optimized.
00:07:00
Labs aren't monitored.
00:07:02
Estrogen is completely ignored, and lifestyle is neglected.
00:07:08
Those are key contributors of how you abuse testosterone.
00:07:12
So Peter T addresses this, the problem isn't testosterone, the problem is the irresponsible
00:07:18
prescribing of it.
00:07:21
So optimization is not bodybuilding.
00:07:23
Optimization is not chasing numbers.
00:07:26
Optimization is not, is precision medicine.
00:07:32
And so that's where optimization comes into play.
00:07:36
Hormones don't replace the basics.
00:07:38
This is critical to think about.
00:07:40
Testosterone is not the foundation of health.
00:07:43
Your hormones are not the foundation of your health.
00:07:46
The real hierarchy is resistance training, nutrition, sleep and stress management, then
00:07:54
hormones.
00:07:56
We are a product of our habits.
00:07:58
James Clear said it the best, you don't rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level
00:08:04
of your systems, your habits.
00:08:05
We are a makeup of our habits.
00:08:09
So in that order, if you skip the basics and jump straight to hormones, trust me, you'll be
00:08:15
gravely disappointed and potentially harmed in the effects.
00:08:19
So hormones amplify effort, they do not create discipline.
00:08:25
So let's get into this testosterone longevity and the bigger picture overall.
00:08:30
When used correctly, testosterone may actually be protective long term.
00:08:37
Emerging data has shown associates between optimized testosterone levels can reduce all
00:08:46
causes of mortality significantly.
00:08:49
Cancer, diabetes, all those things.
00:08:52
It can reduce if you have the proper habit structure along with hormone replacement
00:08:57
therapy.
00:08:58
Better cardiovascular outcomes, improved overall bone density, because it's able to
00:09:03
support more lean muscle mass, and the preservation of that muscle through the process
00:09:08
of aging.
00:09:10
And here it goes, again, Peter Ottia, low testosterone is often not the disease, it's
00:09:14
just the signal.
00:09:16
Your body telling you, why do I have brain fog?
00:09:19
Why do I have a low libido?
00:09:20
Why do I not feel like doing anything?
00:09:23
And that signal becomes deeper and deeper and needs attention.
00:09:28
But I know I focused a little bit on the testosterone side, but what about the ladies
00:09:35
HRT and the perimenopause phase?
00:09:38
So I want to shift gears here a little bit because women are often way too overlooked in
00:09:43
this conversation.
00:09:45
Ladies, this matters for you too.
00:09:47
Hormone replacement therapy, when done correctly, can be one of the most powerful
00:09:52
tools during perimenopause, menopause, and post menopause.
00:09:57
Symptoms like anxiety, poor sleep, brain fog, weight gain, mood swings, and then the loss of
00:10:02
drive or that identity are not things you just have to live with.
00:10:07
Peter, Tia and many longevity focused physicians now openly say HRT is a missing link
00:10:13
for women's health, bone health, and overall long term vitality.
00:10:18
And when used correctly, estrogen supports the brain, progesterone supports sleep and
00:10:26
calmness, reducing of stress.
00:10:29
Testosterone, yes even in women, supports strength, confidence, and overall metabolism.
00:10:35
This is not about vanity.
00:10:38
This is about the quality of life and longevity during one of the most hormonally challenging
00:10:44
stages of life.
00:10:46
So I want you to take that away, but here's the real takeaway: hormones are not magic.
00:10:52
They are not dangerous when they are respected.
00:11:00
Keyword, respected.
00:11:02
And they certainly are not a shortcut.
00:11:05
So when paired with resistance training, I wanna go back over this resistance training,
00:11:10
proper nutrition, smart monitoring, and individualized care, meaning this is doctor
00:11:17
directed, this is what you're dealing with a true professional, They can be one of the most
00:11:23
powerful tools we have to help you be strong, clear minded, and overall resilient.
00:11:33
So if you're curious about TOT, TRT, HRT, is this right for me?
00:11:39
Or if you want real answers based on labs and science, I wanna invite you to go on to over to
00:11:46
a lesseefxhealth.com and book a consultation.
00:11:49
You know these are important things to stay educated on and really understand because as
00:11:56
our motto always goes, your health is in your hands and we truly believe that the power of
00:12:01
education allows you to live the life that you've always wanted to live.
00:12:07
So if you've gotten a little bit about a lot out of this episode you want to share it with
00:12:12
somebody please do this is how we help get the message out.
00:12:16
I want to thank you as always for tuning into Health Decoded.
00:12:19
I'm your host Matt Tack and remember as always your health is in your hands.
00:12:25
Thank you for tuning into Health Decoded where we break down the truth about all things health
00:12:31
and empower you to take charge of your well-being.
00:12:34
If you found value in today's episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with
00:12:40
someone who needs to hear this.
00:12:42
For more resources and personalized support, visit us at alessifunctionalhealth.com and sign
00:12:47
up for our newsletter.
00:12:49
To hear your questions answered live on the show, send them to askalessiFXhealth dot com.
00:12:55
That's ask@alessifxhealth.com.
00:13:01
Until next time, stay curious, stay empowered, and remember, your health is in your hands.