Dr. Christopher Estes just dropped some serious knowledge bombs in our latest episode that will change how you think about testosterone – and it’s not what you expect. This isn’t your typical “just inject testosterone” conversation.
Something alarming is happening: the low testosterone epidemic in young men is real, and most doctors are missing the root causes. Dr. Estes regularly sees men in their 30s with testosterone levels as low as 100–150. That’s not just “low for their age” — it’s dangerously deficient for any age.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- The “pyramid approach” to hormones that addresses root causes instead of just symptoms
- Why DHEA is the most overlooked hormone (and which test 90% of labs get wrong)
- The cortisol-testosterone connection that explains why stressed men can’t build muscle
- Environmental toxins that are stealing testosterone from an entire generation
- The estrogen factor in men that nobody talks about (but could save your prostate)
Dr. Estes is a board-certified OB-GYN, trained at the University of Miami, has a master’s in epidemiology, and brings both academic rigor AND functional medicine wisdom to the table.
He breaks down the science in a way that makes sense, debunks dangerous medical myths, and gives you actionable strategies you can implement immediately.
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Guest Biography
Dr. Christopher M. Estes
Christopher M. Estes, M.D. is a dedicated and compassionate physician whose career has evolved from extensive experience with medically complicated patients. He became frustrated seeing people get passed from one specialist to the next without ever addressing the source cause of their medical problems. He now works to discover those causes for a broad array of medical conditions, no matter how complex. His practice at Miami Beach Comprehensive Wellness Center involves an integrated array of therapies for women and men, including functional medicine evaluations, intravenous and ozone therapies, platelet rich plasma therapies, peptide therapies, energetic medicine and Acutonics sound healing. His specialties include management of mold, Lyme and other environmentally acquired illnesses, gastrointestinal issues and dysbiosis, autoimmune diseases, natural approaches to fertility, hormonal management and comprehensive detoxification programs. Chris is also an expert in optimizing the health of high-performing individuals. Utilizing advanced analysis of telomere length, DNA methylation and other biomarkers, he designs customized anti-aging and performance optimization regimens for people of all ages.
Chris is an active member of the following societies:
- International Society of Environmentally Acquired Illness
- Institute for Functional Medicine (Certified Provider)
- International Lyme and Associated Disease Society
- American Academy of Ozonotherapy
- American College for the Advancement of Medicine
- American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M)
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (Board Certified, Fellow)
Chris provides approachable and comprehensive education to his patients and seeks to empower them to be the decision makers in their health care. He transcends the role of the conventional medical doctor by incorporating energetic and mind-body-spirit healing approaches. He is a lifelong learner, constantly honing his existing skills while adding new techniques and practices with each passing year.
Show Notes from this episode
00:00-01:15 – Introduction & Episode Overview
- Welcome and introduction to the show
- Topic focus: testosterone deficiency epidemic, especially in young men
- Discussion preview: physiology, hormone interactions (particularly with cortisol)
01:15-02:07 – Host Introduction
02:07-05:53 – Dr. Estes Background
- Board certified OB/GYN with academic background at University of Miami
- Experience with hormone management in women, contraception research
- Transgender patient care experience (hormone management for men)
- Transition to functional medicine through personal experiences
- Wife Emily’s health challenges led to learning about toxins, mold, chronic infections
05:53-09:00 – Conventional vs. Functional Medicine Approach
- Conventional approach: Simple algorithm (deficient → supplement)
- Functional medicine: Explores root causes of hormonal issues
- Key question: Why do some people have severe symptoms while others don’t?
- Individual variation in menopause/andropause experiences
09:00-12:44 – The 1941 Huggins & Hodges Study
- Discussion of flawed research that created medical dogma against testosterone
- Study had major confounding factors, very small sample size (possibly n=3)
- Created “black box warning” mentality about testosterone and prostate cancer
- Led to decades of underutilization of testosterone therapy
12:44-16:34 – Women’s Health Initiative Parallel
- Similar pattern with WHI study around 2000-2001
- Misinterpretation led to hormone phobia in women’s health
- Problems with generalizing results from specific medications to entire hormone classes
- Physicians’ risk perception vs. actual benefits
16:34-17:28 – Testosterone Beyond Sexual Function
- Common misconception: testosterone only affects sexual function
- Actually impacts: muscle mass, insulin sensitivity, bone health, cardiovascular health
- Functional medicine goal: optimize overall body function
17:28-20:32 – Sponsor Break (Stem Regen)
20:32-21:56 – Broader Health Benefits of Testosterone
- Skeletal health, cardiovascular health, cognitive function
- Not just “lifestyle” issues but long-term vitality factors
- Marketing often focuses only on sexual aspects
21:56-24:27 – Low T Epidemic in Young Men
- Increasing prevalence in men under 40
- Extremely low levels (100-150) in men in their 30s
- Fertility implications – testosterone essential for spermatogenesis
- Need for proper andrologist referral for fertility preservation
24:27-29:23 – Environmental & Lifestyle Factors
- Multiple contributing factors: toxins, mold, reactivated infections
- Blue light exposure from screens affects hypothalamus/pituitary
- EMF exposure from phones, laptops
- Disruption of circadian rhythms and downstream hormone effects
29:23-35:03 – Cortisol-Testosterone Relationship
- Pyramid model: Adrenals (cortisol) → Thyroid → Sex hormones
- Body prioritizes survival hormones first
- Stress depletes sex hormone production
- Importance of adrenal assessment in testosterone management
35:03-42:09 – DHEA: The Most Missed Factor
- DHEA = dehydroepiandrosterone, produced in adrenal glands
- Acts similarly to testosterone, converted to testosterone in cells
- Symptoms identical to low T when deficient
- Common mistake: not checking DHEA or checking wrong form (DHEA-S vs unconjugated)
39:35-42:09 – Sponsor Break (Clean Ketones)
42:09-45:57 – DHEA Testing & Clinical Experience
- Must check unconjugated DHEA, not just DHEA sulfate
- Clinical observation: testosterone therapy alone insufficient without DHEA correction
- DHEA’s anti-inflammatory properties
- Vitamin D also crucial for hormone optimization
45:57-48:52 – Chronic Pain & Hormonal Health
- Chronic pain depletes ACTH and affects testosterone production
- Systemic inflammation perpetuates both pain and hormonal deficiency
- Psychiatric components: depression, anxiety linked to low T and chronic pain
- Complex, interconnected systems rather than discrete pathways
48:52-53:59 – Free Testosterone & Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
- Free testosterone is the active fraction
- SHBG can bind up testosterone, reducing effectiveness
- High SHBG can make testosterone supplementation less effective or even harmful
- SHBG produced in liver in response to estrogen
53:59-54:44 – Estrogen Monitoring in Men
- Often missed: checking estrogen levels in men
- Testosterone converts to estrogen naturally
- High estrogen can worsen outcomes and increase prostate cancer risk
- Some men need aromatase inhibitors (anastrozole)
54:44-56:18 – Routes of Administration
- Avoid oral testosterone (liver metabolism, poor metabolites)
- Transdermal: effective but messy, good for lower doses
- Injection: preferred method for better response and compliance
- Individual variation in requirements and preferences
56:18-56:30 – Closing Remarks
Key Takeaways
- Comprehensive Assessment Required: Successful testosterone management requires evaluating DHEA, cortisol, thyroid, vitamin D, and estrogen levels
- Root Cause Focus: Address underlying factors (stress, toxins, lifestyle) rather than just supplementing hormones
- DHEA Often Missed: Check unconjugated DHEA, not just DHEA sulfate
- Estrogen Monitoring Critical: High estrogen in men can worsen outcomes and increase cancer risk
- Young Men Affected: Testosterone deficiency increasingly common in men under 40
- Environmental Factors: Blue light, EMF exposure, and lifestyle significantly impact hormone production
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