Hormones
Progesterone: Optimal Ranges, Cycle Timing, and Why Standard Ranges Miss the Point
Progesterone is the most misinterpreted hormone on a standard blood panel. Reference ranges ignore cycle phase, testing timing destroys the result, and the oestrogen:progesterone ratio matters more than either value alone. Here's how to read it correctly.
Hormones
Fasting Insulin: The Most Underordered Metabolic Test in Australia
Fasting insulin reveals insulin resistance years before glucose or HbA1c move. This guide covers optimal ranges, HOMA-IR calculation, what elevated insulin predicts, how to get tested in Australia, and evidence-based strategies to bring it down.
Hormones
Cortisol Awakening Response and the DUTCH Test: What They Measure and Why They Matter
The cortisol awakening response (CAR) is the 50-160% spike in cortisol within 30-45 minutes of waking. Here's how the DUTCH test captures this pattern, what blunted or exaggerated CAR indicates, and how it integrates with 24-hour cortisol profiling.
Hormones
Testosterone Blood Test: Total, Free, and Optimal Ranges Explained
Total testosterone tells you less than you think. Free testosterone, SHBG, and the ratio between them determine how much androgen activity is actually available at the cellular level. Here's how to read your results properly.
Hormones
Estradiol (E2): Optimal Ranges for Women and Men Beyond the Lab Reference
Estradiol is the primary oestrogen in both women and men. Standard reference ranges miss the functional sweet spot. Here's how to interpret E2 in context, what drives suboptimal levels, and why the ratio with progesterone and testosterone matters as much as the absolute value.
Hormones
Cortisol, DHEA-S, and the adrenal panel — HPA axis interpretation
A single AM cortisol number tells you almost nothing about HPA axis health. DHEA-S, the cortisol:DHEA ratio, and a 4-point saliva curve reveal patterns that serum alone hides — especially for people under high training load or running stimulants.
Hormones
Optimal testosterone ranges for men — beyond the reference range
Lab reference ranges for testosterone were set on population averages that include elderly and metabolically compromised men. Here's how to interpret the full panel for performance and optimisation.
Hormones
How to read your thyroid panel — beyond TSH
TSH is a pituitary hormone, not a thyroid hormone. Using it as your sole marker is like judging engine health by accelerator position. Here's what a complete panel actually tells you.