Quit the Limp – A Saint Dirty Face Protocol, Part 3

By Saint Dirty Face

Disclaimer from The Wounded Sentinel (also known as Saint Dirty Face):

This ain’t a “just trust me” game. Testosterone isn’t a vibe — it’s chemistry. You can’t feel your SHBG. You can’t guess your free T. And if you’re guessing? You’re gambling with your results. Talk to your doctor, get your labs, and don’t be an idiot about it.

Why Numbers Matter

Too many guys treat their hormones like their gas tank — “Eh, I think I’ve got enough to get home.”

Then they wonder why they’re stalling on the side of the road with no drive, no strength, and a libido that retired without notice.

You can sleep better, lift harder, pop the right stack… and still limp along if something in your blood chemistry is off.

The only way to know? Lab work.

The Big 6 Tests You Need

Total Testosterone – The full tank number. Doesn’t tell the whole story, but it’s the baseline. Free Testosterone – The horsepower that’s actually usable. SHBG (Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin) – The handcuffs on your testosterone. High SHBG = less free T. Estradiol (E2) – Your estrogen. Needed in balance, but too high smothers your T. LH & FSH – The pituitary signals that tell your boys to make testosterone. Vitamin D, Zinc, Magnesium – Nutritional co-pilots for hormone production.

How to Read the Basics

High Total T + Low Free T + High SHBG → You’ve got testosterone, but it’s locked up. Focus on SHBG-lowering tactics (Tongkat Ali, Boron). Low Total T + Low Free T → You’re just not making enough. Could be lifestyle, nutrient deficiency, or time to talk TRT. High Estradiol → Drop excess fat, clean up diet, consider more cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage). Low Vitamin D, Zinc, Magnesium → No amount of gym time will override a missing building block.

When to Test

Baseline: Before you start changing things. Follow-up: 8–12 weeks after implementing the stack and lifestyle changes. Maintenance: Every 6–12 months, or sooner if symptoms return.

The Saint Dirty Face Rule of Labs

Guessing is for gamblers.

Blood doesn’t lie.

If you’re not checking your numbers, you’re basically swinging in the dark hoping you hit the target — and wondering why you keep breaking lamps instead of records.

Saint Dirty Face says:

“Numbers don’t care about your feelings.

They don’t care about the motivational meme you saw.

They’ll tell you if you’re killing it or coasting.

And once you know, you either fix it or quit lying to yourself.”