MTP 106 Recap – Dr. Alfie Breaks Down the Basics

Let’s be honest—nothing makes your heart skip a beat quite like opening up your lab results and seeing a wall of numbers with abbreviations that look like a failed password. CBC? SHBG? PSA? Is this a blood test or a game of Scrabble?

In episode 106 of Meet the Penis, Dr. Alfie Suarez-Sarmiento, Jr. (a.k.a. the man behind the hair and the laughter), walks us through the mysterious world of lab results in a way that’s easy to understand.

When it comes to men’s health, information is power. And blood work? That’s your roadmap.

First Things First: Why Even Do a Blood Panel?

Think of a Men’s Health Panel as your annual engine check. You wouldn’t drive your car 10,000 miles without an oil change, right? So why treat your body any differently?

As Dr. Alfie puts it:

“You spend more on car maintenance than you do on your health—and your penis doesn’t have a warranty.”

At the Perito Clinic, our Men’s Health Panel gives a full picture of your metabolic, hormonal, and cardiovascular status. It’s where optimization begins—and where bigger problems can be caught early.

Here’s What We Look At (and What It Means)

 Total & Free Testosterone

Total T is the big number—how much testosterone is floating in your bloodstream.
Free T is what your body can actually use.

Most labs (like Quest or Labcorp) list a “normal range” as 250–1100 ng/dL, but that’s not the full story. According to the American Urological Association (AUA), a man is considered to have clinically low testosterone if he has symptoms and his total T is under 350 ng/dL—even if the lab says he’s “normal.”

“You’re not a number. If you feel like trash at 400, we’re still listening.” – Dr. Alfie

SHBG – The Testosterone Gatekeeper

Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) is a protein that binds to testosterone and makes it unavailable. The higher your SHBG, the less free testosterone you’ve got to work with.

“Think of SHBG like a jealous ex—it clings to your testosterone and doesn’t let it go have fun.” – Dr. Alfie

Normal range: ~10–57 nmol/L, but ideal levels for men tend to sit between 20–40 nmol/L.

PSA – Your Prostate’s Progress Report

PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) helps screen for prostate issues, including cancer.

• Normal: 0–4.0 ng/mL, though what’s “normal” can vary with age. 
• Elevated PSA? Could be cancer… or just an enlarged prostate or inflammation. 

“High PSA doesn’t always mean cancer—but it always means follow-up.” – Dr. Alfie

Lipid Panel – Your Cardiovascular Scorecard

• Total Cholesterol: under 200 mg/dL 
• LDL (Bad Cholesterol): under 100 mg/dL 
• HDL (Good Cholesterol): over 40 mg/dL 
• Triglycerides: under 150 mg/dL

“Your heart wants kale. Not Krispy Kreme.” – Dr. Alfie

CBC – The Blood Cell Census

The Complete Blood Count checks your red and white blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin.

• Low red cells = anemia 
• High white cells = infection or inflammation 
• Low platelets = bleeding risk 

“It’s like a security camera for your immune system.” – Dr. Alfie

LH & FSH – Who’s Making the Hormones?

Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) tell us where hormone dysfunction might be happening.

• Low LH/FSH + Low T = brain not sending signals (pituitary issue) 
• High LH/FSH + Low T = testicles not responding 

“Is your brain texting your testicles? LH and FSH are how we find out.” – Dr. Aflie

What Do I Do With This Info?

Your lab results are a starting point—not a diagnosis. A number that’s “normal” for one person might be way off for another, depending on how you feel, your symptoms, and your goals.

At Perito Clinic, we combine medical expertise, your symptoms, and evidence-based guidelines from organizations like the AUA to create a tailored plan that fits you.

What We Offer: The Perito Men’s Health Panel

• Total & Free Testosterone
• Estradiol, SHBG, LH & FSH
• PSA
• Lipid & Glucose Panel
• CBC
• Vitamin D
• Thyroid & more

We also offer Women’s Health Panels tailored for hormone balance, energy, and wellness. Everyone deserves to know what’s going on under the hood.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Fear the Lab Slip

Blood work isn’t just about finding problems—it’s about building a better you.

“If you’re spending hundreds on health insurance and not getting labs once a year… you’re donating to Blue Cross for fun.” – Dr. Alfie

Let’s change that.

Schedule Your Tune-Up

Ready to get a real picture of your health? Schedule your Men’s or Women’s Health Panel today at PeritoClinic.com or call (833) 213-6606.

It’s time to stop guessing—and start optimizing.