Men’s Health and Inflammation—What Your Labs May Be Telling You

Chronic inflammation is a driver behind many modern health concerns—heart disease, metabolic disorders, cognitive decline, and hormonal imbalances to name a few.

One marker we pay close attention to is hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein). This is a protein your liver produces in response to inflammation. While you may feel healthy on the outside, an elevated hs-CRP can indicate that internal processes are out of balance—often before symptoms appear.

Inflammation can come from:

• Poor diet (refined sugars, processed foods)

• Chronic stress

• Low-grade infections or autoimmune activity

• Sedentary lifestyle

• Sleep deprivation

At Empowered Health, we use labs like hs-CRP, cytokine panels, and fasting insulin to understand where your system may be inflamed—then build personalized care strategies to reduce that inflammation.

Hormone Health in Men: Not Just About Testosterone

While testosterone gets a lot of attention (and rightly so), it’s only one piece of the hormonal picture. We also measure:

• Free & Total Testosterone: Critical for energy, muscle mass, and libido.

• DHEA: A stress-adrenal hormone that supports immune and cognitive function.

• SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin): Regulates the amount of active testosterone available.

• Estradiol: Yes, men need some estrogen—for brain, bone, and vascular health.

By identifying imbalances early, we can help reduce brain fog, mood swings, low motivation, and other symptoms commonly chalked up to “just getting older.”

Take the Quiz: Is Inflammation Impacting Your Health?

Answer Yes or No:

1. I often feel mentally foggy or have trouble concentrating.

2. I wake up tired, even after 7–8 hours of sleep.

3. I carry weight around my midsection.

4. My joints feel stiff or sore most mornings.

5. I’ve been told I have high cholesterol, high blood sugar, or high blood pressure.

6. I rarely exercise or move throughout the day.

7. I eat processed or takeout foods more than 3x/week.

8. I don’t currently take omega-3s, turmeric, or other anti-inflammatory supplements.

Scoring:

• 0–2 Yes: You’re doing well! Keep up the healthy habits, and consider baseline labs for long-term tracking.

• 3–5 Yes: You may be in the early stages of systemic inflammation. A lab review and focused lifestyle plan can help.

• 6–8 Yes: It’s time for action. Labs will likely show significant inflammatory markers—we recommend a full evaluation.

At Empowered Health, we use these results to create custom nutrition, movement, and supplement plans—and when appropriate, medical therapies to bring inflammation down fast.

Why This Matters in the Tri-Cities

We know our Washington neighbors in Richland, Kennewick, and Pasco value smart, proactive care. Whether you’re a contractor working long hours, a tech professional, or someone retired and active in the community, unchecked inflammation and hormone shifts can sneak up on you.

We’ve partnered with Interpath Labs to offer cost-effective, cash-pay options—often more affordable than billing insurance, especially if you have a high deductible.