Tirzepatide and Testosterone

Welcome to another edition of the Doctor’s Note where we talk about what’s on our minds when it comes to your health.

This week I sat down with Bo McGregor—one of our dedicated nurse practitioners at Performance Medicine—for a meaningful conversation about the work we do every day. We explored key topics like obesity management, hormone evaluation, and the impact of the “two T’s”: Testosterone and Tirzepatide. Bo shared his journey from the trenches of critical care into integrative medicine, and how his evolving philosophy mirrors my own: real medicine is about listening, education, and tailored solutions, not just quick fixes or another prescription.

We talked about how modern medicine often falls short in truly empowering patients—especially when it comes to prevention. One clear example is nutrition: most providers receive minimal training and simply don’t have the time or resources to dig deeper. That’s why “outside the box” approaches—like focusing on hormone health and using game-changing medications such as tirzepatide—can be so impactful. Both testosterone therapy and Tirzepatide are not silver bullets, but when combined with proper education, accountability, and lifestyle changes, they unlock genuine transformation and improved quality of life for our patients.

PODCAST NOTES

• True patient-centered healthcare hinges on the ability of providers to genuinely listen and empower their patients. It’s about building a relationship rooted in trust, giving people the time they need, and treating each individual as the authority over their own body, rather than simply issuing orders or cycling through cookie-cutter solutions.

• Our medical education system is woefully lacking when it comes to practical nutrition training. During my own training, nutrition amounted to a single, outdated lecture. This is unacceptable considering how foundational nutrition is—especially for chronic issues like diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and even autoimmune disease. We need to fill in those gaps and help our patients unlearn decades of mixed messages about food.

• The value of integrative medicine rests in its ability to remove boundaries between specialties. Rather than placing patients into silos (one for heart, one for hormones, one for weight), we look at the whole person and connect the dots—allowing for deeper healing and more individualized care that gets to the root of chronic health issues.

• Despite the research, many doctors—and most of the general public—are still influenced by outdated ideas regarding hormones, especially testosterone. Studies have debunked the myth that testosterone leads to prostate cancer or cardiac events, but old beliefs persist. Educating both patients and fellow providers is necessary for progress and better outcomes.

• Testosterone isn’t just a “men’s hormone”—it’s equally vital for women’s health. Many women are told they have hormone levels equivalent to an 80-year-old and then receive fear-based misinformation about side effects such as developing facial hair. The truth is, balanced testosterone significantly boosts energy, mood, muscle mass, and overall well-being in both genders, and the risks have been overblown for much too long.

• Tirzepatide has emerged as a truly revolutionary medication, especially for obesity and metabolic syndrome. Unlike previous drugs that offered modest benefits, people are seeing real, life-changing results—including reductions in heart disease, dementia risk, and inflammation. However, it’s not a miracle drug—success comes from pairing medication with education, goal-setting, and lasting behavior change around food and activity.

• Adequate protein intake is perhaps the most overlooked aspect of healthy aging. Focusing on high-quality protein—especially at the first and last meal of the day—supports muscle retention, reduces cravings, and helps prevent age-related decline. Most Americans need much more than they think (sometimes up to a gram per pound of lean body mass), and shifting the conversation from counting calories to maximizing protein can be a game-changer.

• None of these interventions—whether it’s testosterone, Tirzepatide, or supplements—work in isolation. The hard truth is that achieving and maintaining health requires consistent effort: moving your body intentionally, preparing whole foods, and being proactive every single day. We can give you the right tools and guidance, but you have to put in the work—both today and for years to come—in order to take control of your health destiny.

At the end of the day, my call to action is simple: take charge of your health journey. Don’t settle for a quick fix when real transformation is possible. Whether you’re considering hormone therapy, weight management solutions like Tirzepatide, or just want to learn how to eat and move better, our team at Performance Medicine is here to listen, educate, and guide you. 

You deserve to feel your best—don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions and seek out help. We’re in this together. 

Stay educated. Stay healthy.

Till next week.