Testosterone’s Full Picture: From Men’s Health to Women’s Libido

Resources

Books

• "The Castrati: Their Lives and Music" by Unknown Author - This book is mentioned as a reference for understanding the historical context of castrati individuals, individuals who were castrated to preserve their singing voices.

Videos & Documentaries

• YouTube - Mentioned as a platform where listeners can find audio recordings of castrati singing.

Research & Studies

• TREST trial - A large, placebo-controlled trial discussed in relation to testosterone replacement therapy and cardiovascular outcomes in older, hypogonadal men.
• Graded dose response studies - Mentioned as existing studies that can be extrapolated from to understand the effects of different testosterone dosages.

Tools & Software

• Apple iPhone (or similar smartphone) - Implied as a device that can be used to download and run apps for monitoring voice tone changes.
• Voice monitoring apps - Apps that can track voice tone, inflection, and depth to detect changes, particularly relevant for women considering testosterone therapy.

Articles & Papers

• Literature on boron and SHBG levels - Mentioned as promising but not robust research suggesting boron may suppress SHBG levels.
• Studies on ashwagandha extract (KSM-66 and Sensoril) - Referenced for their standardization to withanolides and potential impact on cortisol and testosterone.
• Studies on tongkat ali and eurycomanone - Mentioned for their potential mechanisms of action, including SHBG suppression and upregulation of steroidogenesis.
• Studies on boron's potential longevity effects - Briefly mentioned as a possible benefit of boron.
• Studies on finasteride and dutasteride - Referenced for their side effect profiles and efficacy in treating hair loss, with a note on media exaggeration of side effects.
• Studies on minoxidil and tretinoin compounding - Mentioned for their potential to increase absorption and efficacy for hair regrowth.
• Studies on microneedling for hair growth - Discussed as a method to potentially improve minoxidil absorption and efficacy.
• Studies on the use of oral minoxidil - Mentioned with a caution regarding its significant systemic side effect profile.
• Studies on ketoconazole shampoo for hair loss - Referenced for its mild anti-androgenic and 5-alpha reductase inhibiting properties.
• Studies on the impact of testosterone on LP(a) - Mentioned as a less known effect of androgens that can suppress LP(a) levels.

People Mentioned

• Peter Attia - Mentioned as a mutual friend and host of a podcast on which Derek has been a guest.
• Scientists at UCLA - Referenced for a (likely exaggerated) claim about finding a solution for hair regrowth.

Organizations & Institutions

• Meric Health - Derek's co-founded company focused on personalized preventative healthcare.
• UCLA - Mentioned in the context of a purported scientific discovery related to hair regrowth.
• Labcorp - Mentioned as a lab with a specific reference range for testosterone in women.
• 23andMe - Mentioned as a service that measures genetic snips related to placebo and nocebo effects.

Courses & Educational Resources

• FoundMyFitness free weekly email newsletter - A resource for health, fitness, and science topics with practical insights.
• FoundMyFitness Premium Membership - Offers access to exclusive content including a members-only podcast and science digests.

Websites & Online Resources

• More Plates More Dates - Derek's popular YouTube channel.
• FoundMyFitness.com/newsletter - The URL for signing up for the FoundMyFitness newsletter.
• FoundMyFitness.com/premium - The URL for learning more about FoundMyFitness premium membership.
• Reddit - Mentioned as a source for anecdotal and unverified hair loss treatments.

Other Resources

• Dutch Test - A test recommended over blood tests for assessing salivary cortisol levels and stress response.
• Liquid Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LCMS) - The gold standard method for accurately measuring total testosterone and estradiol.
• Equilibrium Ultrafiltration or Equilibrium Dialysis - Methods for accurately measuring free testosterone, preferred over calculations.
• HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) - A medication used to stimulate testosterone production, particularly in men with secondary hypogonadism.
• Recombinant FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) - Used in conjunction with HCG to maintain fertility during testosterone replacement therapy.
• Finasteride - A medication that inhibits 5-alpha reductase, used for hair loss and benign prostatic hyperplasia.
• Dutasteride - A more potent 5-alpha reductase inhibitor than finasteride, also used for hair loss and BPH.
• Minoxidil - A topical or oral medication that stimulates hair growth.
• Tretinoin - A compound that can be compounded with minoxidil to potentially increase its efficacy.
• Ketoconazole shampoo - A shampoo with mild anti-androgenic properties that may offer some protection against hair loss.
• Androgen Saturation Model - A concept discussed in relation to prostate growth and testosterone levels.
• Arimidex (Anastrozole) - An aromatase inhibitor mentioned in the context of managing estrogen levels.
• Clomiphene, HMG (Human Menopausal Gonadotropin) - Medications mentioned in the context of stimulating testosterone production.