By Dr. Jean-Luc Le Provost | Phoenix Men’s Health Center
Is your doctor ignoring your low testosterone levels?
The answer may be yes—but that doesn’t automatically mean they’re a bad doctor.
Medicine is complicated. Doctors are human, and the medical world is filled with a lot of information — much of it conflicting. Most physicians follow standardized guidelines set by their healthcare system, hospital network, or private practice. These rules are helpful, but they don’t always allow room for individual differences, especially when it comes to men’s hormones.
Why Low Testosterone Often Gets Overlooked
Most primary care doctors are not endocrinologists, and even endocrinologists may not focus on testosterone management. Testosterone optimization in men is a specialized area that many physicians simply don’t deal with regularly. Testosterone levels are usually not checked unless you specifically ask for them. This alone is one of the most common reasons low T (testosterone) goes unnoticed.
Testosterone Is More Than One Number
This isn’t as simple as a single lab value. A proper evaluation may include:
- Total testosterone
- Free testosterone
- Sex Hormone–Binding Globulin (SHBG)
All of these values are connected and should be interpreted together.
The Problem With “Normal” Reference Ranges
Labs use something called a reference range to define what’s considered “normal.” Many U.S. labs list total testosterone somewhere between 250 and 1,000 ng/dL.
Here’s the issue:
That range is based on the general population — often including men from 18 to 80 years old.
Reference ranges are guidelines, not diagnoses. Like lines on the road, helpful but not the whole picture.
Symptoms Matter — A Lot
This is where many men feel dismissed.
Even if your numbers fall within the “normal” range, symptoms can still be real, including:
- Low energy
- Low libido
- Brain fog
- Mood changes
- Weight gain
- Loss of motivation
T levels and symptoms should always be evaluated together.
Why Seeing the Right Specialist Matters
At Phoenix Men’s Health Center, men’s healthcare is all we do. I’ve been specializing in this field for over 14 years, working exclusively with men.
We focus on:
- Testosterone replacement therapy
- Natural testosterone optimization
- Fertility preservation
- Weight loss and metabolic health
- Cardiovascular and prostate health
Because this is our specialty, we go deeper than basic lab values.
What a Comprehensive Evaluation Looks Like
A proper hormone evaluation may include:
- CBC and CMP (red and white blood cells, liver, kidneys)
- Total and free testosterone
- SHBG
- DHEA, LH, FSH
- Full thyroid panel (including TSH)
- Anemia and nutrient panels
Hormones don’t work in isolation—everything in the body is connected.
Looking at the Bigger Picture
When evaluating low T, important questions must be asked:
- Is the issue coming from the brain or the testicles?
- Is excess body fat playing a role?
- Is diet, stress, sleep, or toxin exposure contributing?
- How old is the patient, and what are their goals?
Only after reviewing labs, symptoms, and lifestyle factors can a meaningful discussion take place—including the pros and cons of hormone replacement therapy.
The Bottom Line
Give your doctor grace—but also advocate for yourself.
If something doesn’t feel right, get comprehensive testing and work with a physician who specializes in men’s hormonal health and understands the full picture.
Your body is dynamic.
Your care should be too.
