Part 1: High Testosterone Means Nothing Without Sensitivity

Preface (why I’m writing this series)

As of 2025, I’ve been a testosterone (and all things health, androgen, and male optimization) researcher for the past 10 years and have done a minimum of over 10k hours of research (and still counting).

But one big mistake I made, for a long time, was to look at a number.

Back when I first started obsessing over testosterone optimization, Ali Kuoppala, Christopher Walker, and I were the only three guys on the internet who were actively doing the research, writing, and bringing awareness to natural T optimization.

Whenever you searched for “natural T optimization”, you would be guaranteed to find our content.

Nowadays, just about every other guy on social media is a “natural testosterone expert”, wants to teach you how to get your T high “naturally”, and wants to convince you that they have some magical secret or missing piece to the puzzle.

But I’ve been doing this long enough to know how these things work and have been working long enough with clients (including influencers and coaches) to know how they do it themselves, while fooling you to believe that they got their T high on a test by doing exactly what they teach.

I can tell you that 9 out of 10 don’t even do what they preach to get their high T number on a test.

And over 90% of these guys disregard the fact that it’s completely irrelevant to brag about a once-off test number when that number doesn’t stay there.

It fluctuates—all the time. And who, ever tests their T regularly enough to prove that it stays high?

Most of these “gurus” blast and cruise or use things like enclomiphene to increase their T and LH to give you these “natty” numbers.

They also (just about always) leave out (or edit) certain markers on tests, which would indicate that they are using something—something you learn over time after analyzing countless labs.

I’ve personally worked with a lot of these guys and know that they would choose supplements and drugs, any day, over doing what needs to be done, and doing it consistently for at least multiple years to get stable and long-lasting results.

I would never call these guys out, but they know who they are.

And this is exactly why I am writing this series for you—

Not to call these kinds of people out, but to bring awareness of what ACTUALLY matters when it comes to T optimization.

I can guarantee you that every T guru on social media right now is making the biggest newbie mistakes.

And that is to try and convince you to believe that

1. “It’s all about having high T.”

2. “Having high T will change everything.”

Both of these are 100% false.

I’m not saying men can’t or won’t benefit from T (natural or synthetic). I’m saying that T sensitivity far outweighs the long-term benefits and reliability of boosting T alone.

By doing this, you override the root problems going on, and as a result, T won’t be able to stay high long-term, and the benefits will start to diminish.

Even if you use synthetic T, or use synthetics to boost it, it’s not a long-term solution.

Low T is often just a symptom of other underlying issues, and my approach is to always fix the body as a whole, and as a result, total T and T sensitivity go up.

It’s been an age-old gimmick to try and convince men that they aren’t manly enough if their T isn’t above a certain number—a gimmick even I fell for.

But the longer I’ve been doing serious research, working with countless clients, the more things have become clearer to me that people have been mistaking the elephant’s tail and ass for it’s trunk and face all along.

Lastly, using high doses of testosterone can make you feel better. Because the root cause of low T is mitochondrial dysfunction, low dopamine, insulin resistance, liver dysfunction, high stress, high BMI, etc, all of which testosterone can improve. But it will never completely fix those issues and definitely not address the root cause.

So even if you feel better on high dose TRT, still focus on fixing the root cause, because the root cause doesn’t just cause low T, but also prostate cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, etc. None of those we want.

Case report examples

The following are just a few example case reports of clients I have worked with.

A-man

A-man had a total testosterone level of just 300 ng/dL.
He struggled with energy, muscle growth, strength, and libido.
Mood was flat, workouts were mediocre, and progress was painfully slow.

But after fixing his root issues, without increasing his testosterone, everything changed.

• He started making rapid strength and hypertrophy gains

• His energy became endless, with high daily activity

• Mood and confidence skyrocketed

• His libido was higher than ever

Same testosterone. Entirely different result.
Because he enhanced sensitivity.

B-man

He had textbook “superhuman” testosterone—1400 to 1500 ng/dL on every test.
But he didn’t feel any different than his average-T friends.
No superhuman muscle growth. No alpha energy. No high-libido edge.

From the outside, you'd never guess his levels were elite.
Because without sensitivity, testosterone is just ink on paper.

C-man

He naturally increased his testosterone from 1000 to over 2000 ng/dL—
no HCG, no Clomid, no drugs. Sounds fake, but it’s real.
The crazy part? He didn’t feel any different.

Same mood. Same energy. Same libido.
Even though his levels doubled.

Yes, he had good genetics for building muscle.
But even at 2000 ng/dL, he didn’t look or feel like what you’d expect.

Proof that more testosterone doesn’t always equal more results.

D-man

He had all the classic low T symptoms:
Insomnia, fatigue, anhedonia, constipation, ED, and hypothyroidism.

And yet, his testosterone was a respectable 700 ng/dL.

After fixing his gut, sleep, thyroid, and inflammation, he felt like a new man.
His symptoms vanished. His energy, libido, and clarity returned.

And here’s the kicker:
His testosterone dropped to the 300s during recovery…
…but he didn’t care—because he felt incredible.

That’s what happens when your body actually uses the testosterone you have.

E-man

He came to me with a testosterone level of 350 ng/dL.
He was doing everything by the book:

• Eating nutrient-dense foods

• Training smart

• Prioritizing sleep and sunlight

• Avoiding inflammation and toxins

On paper, he was a model of optimization.
But his testosterone was low, and he didn’t feel androgenic.

The missing piece? A stealth gut issue.
Despite no gut symptoms, I suspected a pathogenic bacterial overgrowth.

He ran a gut protocol, and 6 weeks later:

• His testosterone jumped to 700 ng/dL

• He felt more dominant, motivated, and clear-headed

• His mood, drive, and physicality felt more “male” again

We didn’t chase testosterone—we chased the root cause.
His T improved because we removed what was blocking it, not because we tried to force it higher.

Takeaway: The Number Isn’t the Point

• You can have low testosterone and feel amazing—if your body is sensitive to it.

• You can have high testosterone and feel awful—if your receptors are blocked.

• True optimization isn’t about chasing numbers—it’s about chasing function.

Why You Could Have “High T” and Still Feel Like a Beta

You’ve probably seen guys brag about their testosterone levels.

“Bro, my T is 950 ng/dL.”
“Mine’s over 1000. Natural.”
“Just got my bloodwork back. My T is jacked!”

But here’s the uncomfortable truth:

High testosterone means nothing if your body isn’t using it properly.

Your blood levels are just one piece of the puzzle. What really determines your masculinity, performance, and drive is how sensitive your cells are to androgens, especially at the androgen receptor (AR) level.

What Are Androgen Receptors?

Androgen receptors are specialized proteins found in your muscle, brain, skin, and even fat cells. Think of them like locks, and testosterone or DHT are the keys.

When androgens bind to these receptors, they “unlock” powerful changes in your body:

• Muscle growth and strength

• Fat burning and insulin sensitivity

• High libido and sexual function

• Confidence, motivation, and alpha behavior

• Bone density and facial structure

But here's the catch: if your androgen receptors are inactive, damaged, or downregulated, even sky-high testosterone won’t produce results.

How Androgen Receptors Actually Work (In Simple Terms)

Your body doesn’t respond to testosterone directly; it responds to what happens after testosterone (or DHT) binds to the androgen receptor.

Testosterone is just a signal, but the androgen receptor is what actually does the work. Here’s how that signal turns into strength, sex drive, and swagger.

Here’s how that process works:

1. Androgen Binding
   Testosterone or DHT enters the cell and binds to the androgen receptor (AR), which is normally inactive and sitting in the cytoplasm, guarded by heat shock proteins (HSPs).

2. Activation & Conformational Change
   Once bound, the AR changes shape and sheds the HSPs—this “unlocks” it and turns it into an active form ready to do its job.

3. Dimerization & Nuclear Translocation
   The activated receptors pair up (dimerize) and move into the cell nucleus, where your DNA lives.

4. Gene Activation via AREs
   Inside the nucleus, the AR binds to specific DNA sequences called androgen response elements (AREs). This turns on or off certain genes—especially those involved in muscle growth, fat burning, libido, confidence, and more.

5. Protein Production
   The genes that are turned on get transcribed into mRNA, which is then translated into proteins—these proteins are what actually cause the physical changes in your body.

6. Fine-Tuning via Co-regulators
   The AR’s activity is boosted or suppressed depending on which co-activators or co-repressors are present. This is why context matters: the same testosterone level can produce different effects in different people or tissues.

7. Shutdown & Recycling
   After it’s done its job, the AR can be broken down by the cell, and the androgens are metabolized by the liver to end the signal.

The Real Reason Some Guys Don’t Feel “High T”

Many men today are walking around with normal or even high testosterone levels, but still have:

• Low motivation

• Weak erections

• Poor gym performance

• Brain fog

• Belly fat and soft features

• Low stress tolerance and irritability

Why? Because their androgen receptors aren’t responding properly.

This is called androgen resistance, and it’s the missing piece in most male optimization plans.

Oftentimes, testosterone goes up to compensate for this resistance. In this case, high testosterone isn’t always a “good” thing.

Why We Want High Testosterone (And Even More So—Sensitivity to It)

Most people don't care what you do.
They care why you do it.

And here’s my why:

Optimizing testosterone—and more importantly, making my body sensitive to it—isn’t about chasing a number on a lab test.
It’s about unlocking the kind of man I want to be... in every area of life.

Most of us care about the big three:
Health. Wealth. Relationships.
And testosterone plays a role in all of them.

1. Health – So I Can Do What I Want, When I Want

I don’t want to just “survive.” I want to perform.

• Build as much muscle and strength as possible—without breaking down in the process

• Stay athletic—fast, explosive, agile—not just look the part

• Train hard without needing 7 days to recover or dealing with constant joint pain

• Look vibrant and healthy—clear skin, strong teeth, thick hair, sharp eyes

• Have deep, restorative sleep and smooth digestion so I wake up ready

• Avoid disease and the slow decay that comes from hormonal neglect

I don’t want to tiptoe through life wrapped in biohacking bubble wrap.
I want to live with capacity. That takes hormones working with me, not against me.

2. Wealth – So I Can Provide and Build Without Burnout

My business is one of the ways I serve my family.
It takes creativity, adaptability, and focus, not just caffeine and grind culture.

• I need clarity to think straight and solve problems

• I need motivation that comes from within, not fake dopamine from social media

• I need stress resilience so I don’t crumble when life punches back

• I want to attack challenges, not retreat into escapism or self-sabotage

• I want to be consistent, not cycling between burnout and distraction

Some people want to disappear into a peaceful village. I respect that.
But me? I want to fight for what matters.
And I need my biochemistry to be on my side to do it well.

3. Relationships – So I Can Be the Man My Family Needs

At the end of the day, what’s the point of testosterone if it doesn’t help you love better?

• I want to be present and calm, not easily agitated or anxious

• I want to be patient, especially with my wife and kid

• I want to be loving, caring, and grounded—not just reactive or numb

• I want to lead by example—not through pressure, but through presence

• I want my energy to say “I’ve got you”—even when I say nothing at all

True masculinity is strong, but tender.
Powerful, but controlled.
Driven, but grounded.

And testosterone—used correctly (by the body)—makes that possible.

That’s why I do what I do.
Not to chase performance for its own sake...
But to build a life I’m proud of—from the inside out.

And to achieve new heights and make new discoveries, I need to research and implement. Endless experimentation and constant testing (every 2 weeks). But at the end of the day it’s all worth it because of what it unlocks.

These Signs Matter More Than Your Testosterone Number

Here’s the truth:

In most cases, the benefits people feel from higher testosterone aren’t because of the number itself—
they’re the result of their body finally becoming sensitive to the testosterone they already have.

It’s not about jacking up levels.
It’s about whether your body responds.

So, how do you know if your system is sensitive and balanced, even if your total T is low/normal?

Look for these signs:

Mental Signs – The Inner Edge

• Laser focus – You can lock in on a task without drifting

• Drive & motivation – You want to do hard things and make progress

• Confidence – You feel capable, self-assured, and grounded

• Emotional stability – Low anxiety, even in pressure situations

• Healthy aggression – You take initiative rather than wait for permission

• Empathy & emotional presence – You’re connected, not numb

• Stress resiliency – You can recover quickly from setbacks

Physical Signs – The Body Responds

• Consistent strength and muscle gains – Training leads to visible and measurable results

• You don’t feel “old” – No chronic fatigue, aching joints, or low recovery capacity

• Healthy skin – Youthful tone, good circulation, and low inflammation

• No unexplained hair loss – Shedding can signal stress or sensitivity loss

• Efficient recovery – Soreness doesn’t linger for days

• Solid sleep – You fall asleep easily and wake rested

Sexual Signs – The Androgenic Edge

• Short refractory period – You’re ready again soon after climax

• Strong, spontaneous erections – “Boners on demand” without needing stimulation

• Responsive libido – You feel desire when the moment arises, not apathy or dread

• Sexual confidence – No shame, hesitation, or insecurity

Here’s the Takeaway:

If your testosterone is technically low, but you still experience most of these signs—
your body is working with your hormones, not against them.

These are the real indicators of androgen sensitivity.
And if you're not experiencing these—even with high T—that’s a sign your system is blocked or imbalanced.

What Causes Androgen Resistance?

You’ll learn the full breakdown in later parts of this series, but here’s a preview of what can destroy your AR sensitivity:

• High estrogen and cortisol

• Poor thyroid and IGF-1 levels

• Oxidative stress, inflammation, and toxins

• PUFAs, painkillers, and even serotonin

• Hidden gut issues that impair hormone signaling

And on the flip side, you’ll also discover how to upregulate your androgen receptors—naturally—through:

• Strategic nutrition and supplements

• Resistance training protocols

• Dopamine-boosting habits

• Mitochondrial and gut health optimization

• Circadian and hormonal alignment

The Androgen Sensitivity Revolution Starts Now

This series is for men who are tired of chasing numbers on blood tests and are ready to focus on function.

Whether your testosterone is 500 or 1000, you can still feel like a beast—if your body actually listens to those signals.

In Part 2, we’ll break down the pillars of androgen receptor sensitivity, starting with the power of DHT and the hidden damage caused by elevated estrogen.

Stay tuned.

P.S. If you’d like me to help you implement the right diet and supplements to not only increase your testosterone but also enhance your sensitivity, then check out TestoTribe. That’s where you can get direct access to me, all the guidance you need, as well as access to all my courses.

Here’s part 2: