Blood test interpretation | Veedma's evidence-based men's health articles

Seasonal affective disorder or hormones? A men’s guide to winter mood, testosterone, and sleep

Dr. Susan Carter, MD: Endocrinologist & Longevity Expert

Dec 29, 2025 · 12 min read

In men, winter “low mood” can be true seasonal affective disorder (a recurrent depressive pattern that starts in late fall, peaks in winter, and eases as daylight returns) or a look‑alike driven by physiology—less morning light can delay your circadian rhythm and prolong melatonin, while testosterone, cortisol, and thyroid shifts can produce the same fatigue ...

What foods are high in estrogen? A men’s guide to high estrogen in men and what to do

Dr. Alexander Grant, MD, PhD: Urologist & Men's Health Advocate

Dec 24, 2025 · 10 min read

In men, diet is rarely a major driver of high estrogen: most foods labeled “high in estrogen” contain phytoestrogens that only weakly activate estrogen receptors, while most estradiol is made inside the body when aromatase converts testosterone into estradiol in tissues such as body fat. If your estrogen-to-testosterone balance is off, here’s what the research ...

High estrogen on trt symptoms: What happens when your balance shifts

Dr. Alexander Grant, MD, PhD: Urologist & Men's Health Advocate

Dec 13, 2025 · 11 min read

On TRT, a portion of injected testosterone is converted by the aromatase enzyme into estradiol, and about 15–20% of men develop elevated estrogen levels that can cause symptoms like water retention, nipple/breast tenderness, mood changes, and sexual dysfunction. Here’s how to recognize the pattern, why it can mimic low‑T, and what to adjust so your ...

How to lower hematocrit on trt safely and effectively

Dr. Alexander Grant, MD, PhD: Urologist & Men's Health Advocate

Dec 11, 2025 · 10 min read

The safest way to lower hematocrit on TRT is to reduce testosterone peaks—by lowering the dose and/or switching from infrequent injections to more frequent micro-dosing or a steadier transdermal method—because testosterone increases red blood cell production through kidney-driven erythropoietin (EPO) signaling. Since elevated hematocrit affects roughly 5% to 66% of men on therapy, the goal ...

How to measure testosterone accurately in men

Dr. Alexander Grant, MD, PhD: Urologist & Men's Health Advocate

Dec 10, 2025 · 13 min read

Accurate testosterone measurement in men requires a morning serum (blood) testosterone test using validated lab methods, confirmed on at least two separate days before diagnosing “low T.” Here’s how timing, test type (total vs free), and common at-home kits can skew results and lead you toward the wrong next step. “If you get testosterone testing ...