Erectile dysfunction (ED) can feel frustrating, discouraging, and even isolating—but it is also one of the most treatable conditions when you understand the true cause behind it. Most men assume ED is only about blood flow, testosterone, or aging. And while those factors matter, they’re only part of the story.

In traditional care, ED is usually treated with medication or referred to a urologist, where testing often focuses on structural or vascular issues. But for many men, ED isn’t just a plumbing problem—it’s a hormonal, metabolic, inflammatory, stress, or neurological problem. This is where functional medicine takes ED beyond the surface and identifies what’s really going on.

Men are often relieved when they finally hear this:
ED is rarely random. There is almost always a root cause.

Here are the six most important functional medicine tests for ED that your urologist usually isn’t running—but absolutely should.

1. Advanced Testosterone Testing (Not Just Total Testosterone)

Most men who come to me with ED have already had “normal testosterone” reported back to them. But in functional medicine, we don’t rely on just one number.

A complete hormonal evaluation includes:
Free testosterone
Total testosterone
SHBG (sex hormone–binding globulin)
Estradiol
DHEA
DHT
LH and FSH
Prolactin

Why this matters:
Many men have “normal” total testosterone but extremely low free testosterone, which is the portion your body can actually use. Others have testosterone that is being bound up by high SHBG, or estrogen levels that are too high or too low, both of which impact erections.

ED improves dramatically when these patterns are corrected—not just when total testosterone is replaced.

2. Thyroid Function Beyond a Basic TSH Test

The thyroid plays a much bigger role in erections than most people realize. Low thyroid slows metabolism and blood flow, increases fatigue, lowers libido, disrupts nitric oxide production, and affects testosterone.

The problem?
Most urologists only check TSH, which is not enough.

A full thyroid workup includes:
TSH
Free T4
Free T3
Reverse T3
Thyroid antibodies
Iodine, zinc, selenium status

Why it matters:
Low T3 function is strongly associated with ED and low libido even when TSH appears “normal.” Once the thyroid is optimized, testosterone improves, energy rises, and sexual function often returns quickly.

3. Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Markers

One of the most common yet overlooked causes of ED is poor blood sugar control. Even mild insulin resistance begins damaging blood vessels and nerve signaling long before diabetes shows up on labs.

Markers we test include:
Fasting insulin
Hemoglobin A1c
Glucose patterns
C-peptide
Lipid profile
Inflammation markers

Why it matters:
Insulin resistance reduces nitric oxide (needed for erections), increases inflammation, lowers testosterone, and impairs circulation. Many men see ED improve or fully resolve when insulin resistance is treated early.

4. Cortisol and Stress Hormone Evaluation

Stress is one of the fastest ways to shut down sexual function. When cortisol rises, testosterone drops. Adrenal imbalance affects libido, erection strength, morning erections, and overall performance.

Functional testing evaluates:
Cortisol rhythms throughout the day
DHEA levels
Sleep-wake cycles
Nervous system imbalance

Why cortisol matters:
High cortisol suppresses testosterone.
Low cortisol causes fatigue and low libido.
Irregular cortisol disrupts nitric oxide production.

ED is often one of the first signs of chronic stress, even before men feel “burned out.”

5. Inflammation and Cardiovascular Markers

ED is often described as the “canary in the coal mine” of cardiovascular disease because the blood vessels in the penis are smaller and more sensitive to inflammation and plaque buildup.

Markers we evaluate include:
hs-CRP (high-sensitivity inflammation marker)
Homocysteine
Lipoprotein(a)
ApoB
Omega-3 index

Why it matters:
A man may not feel any heart symptoms yet—but ED can appear years earlier as an early warning sign. When we reduce inflammation and improve endothelial function, erections improve, energy rises, and long-term cardiovascular risk drops.

6. Micronutrient Levels That Affect Testosterone and Sexual Function

If you’re deficient in certain nutrients, your body physically cannot produce testosterone or maintain vascular function.

Nutrients we evaluate:
Vitamin D
Magnesium
B vitamins
Zinc
Iodine
CoQ10
Omega-3 fatty acids

Why it matters:
Low zinc lowers testosterone.
Low magnesium worsens insulin resistance.
Low vitamin D disrupts hormone signaling.
Low omega-3s impair blood flow.

Correcting these deficiencies can dramatically improve sexual function, mood, energy, and libido.

Why Urologists Don’t Run These Tests

Most traditional systems focus on diagnosing:
• Mechanical problems
• Vascular blockage
• Nerve damage
• Anatomical changes

Those are important—but they only explain a fraction of ED cases.

Functional medicine focuses on:
• Hormones
• Cortisol
• Thyroid
• Blood sugar
• Inflammation
• Nutrient status
• Metabolism
• Gut health
• Root causes

This is why men who feel stuck or frustrated with traditional ED care often find their answers here.

What ED Actually Tells Us About Your Health

ED is not a failure of masculinity, aging, or willpower.
It is a diagnostic clue.

ED often signals:
Hormone imbalance
Thyroid dysfunction
Chronic stress
Inflammation
Cardiovascular issues
Insulin resistance
Nutrient depletion
Poor sleep
Long COVID recovery issues

Fixing the root cause not only improves erections—it improves overall health, longevity, mood, confidence, and energy.

How We Treat Erectile Dysfunction at Glow Health & Wellness

My approach includes:
An in-depth hormone evaluation
Advanced metabolic testing
Thyroid and inflammatory markers
Nutrient analysis
Cortisol and stress mapping
Customized treatment plan

Your plan may include:
Testosterone optimization
Thyroid balancing
Peptide therapy
Metabolic support
Stress and sleep optimization
Targeted supplements
Lifestyle guidance
ED medications when appropriate
Cardiovascular support
Telehealth visits for Florida and Alabama

Many men improve dramatically within weeks once we identify the trigger.

ED Is Treatable—And You Deserve Answers

If you’re experiencing erectile dysfunction, there is nothing wrong with you—and you are far from alone.
But you do deserve a deeper level of testing and care than the standard approach provides.

ED is your body asking for attention.
Functional medicine helps you understand what it’s saying.

If you’re ready to get answers, improve your sexual health, restore your confidence, and feel like yourself again, I’m here to help.