How to Treat Low Testosterone
Introduction
Testosterone is the essential male hormone that propels development during puberty and enables men to maintain muscle mass, sexual function, and overall health throughout adulthood. The hormone is produced in the testes and then enters the bloodstream, where cells use it to carry out countless biological functions.
Multiple factors influence testosterone production, and levels gradually decline with age. Once they dip to a certain point, they begin causing mental and physical changes. If your body composition, sex drive, ability to focus, or overall well-being have recently changed, you may be experiencing low testosterone.
Doctors can quickly diagnose this common condition and treat it with proven interventions. This article discusses why testosterone levels change, how to recognize the symptoms, and effective treatment options. Learning the warning signs and familiarizing yourself with common treatments will help you make the best choices for your health.
What is Low Testosterone?
Clinically called male hypogonadism, low testosterone is a condition in which the testes do not produce enough of the hormone. As a result, your blood does not have adequate testosterone available for cellular reactions.
The condition can hinder growth and development, inhibit sexual function, alter metabolism, and dampen mental sharpness. Low testosterone has many possible causes depending on age, medical history, and lifestyle.
The accepted consensus in the medical community is that less than 300 ng/dL of testosterone is low. However, every man's baseline testosterone differs. As a result, doctors factor in symptoms and the changes their patients report when diagnosing low testosterone.
How Common is Low Testosterone?
Every man's testosterone peaks in his 20s and then slightly diminishes year to year, beginning around age 30. One study estimated that 4 to 5 million men in the US experience low testosterone. Genetics and overall health impact your baseline hormone levels.
The prevalence of low testosterone in men under 45 is also rising due to lifestyle and health factors. It's critical to self-monitor and consult a doctor if you suspect low testosterone.
Many men ignore their symptoms or accept them as an inevitable part of aging. This oversight can exacerbate the condition by impacting self-esteem and causing stress, which can further alter testosterone production.
Low Testosterone Symptoms
Low testosterone symptoms are not the same for every man because of biological differences and variations in baseline levels. You may experience one or multiple symptoms.
Additionally, low testosterone can be an insidious disorder because changes develop slowly, possibly taking years to manifest. It's necessary to self-assess by considering shifts over an extended timeline.
The most common symptom is low sex drive and erectile dysfunction. Testosterone is a vital reproductive hormone for both desire and the biological processes needed to achieve an erection. As levels fall, your interest in sex may wane. Erections become less firm or cannot be maintained.
Many men also experience a change in body composition when testosterone falls. The hormone helps regulate metabolism and maintain muscle. When levels drop, weight gain often leads to excess fat carried around the waist. You can also lose muscle size and tone.
Emotional and cognitive changes occur because testosterone stabilizes mood. Low hormone levels can cause depression symptoms and general malaise. They can also dampen focus and mental acuity, hindering your performance at work. Men with low testosterone often feel rundown despite getting adequate sleep.
Low Testosterone Causes
The causes of low testosterone differ by age group and the extent of hormone loss. Many children and teens may experience low testosterone due to pituitary abnormalities, genetic conditions, or an underlying disease. In these cases, low testosterone is a sign of a serious problem requiring immediate medical care.
Low testosterone in younger men often results from lifestyle choices and overall health. Obesity depresses testosterone production, driving levels down while increasing the incidence of obesity. In addition, poor diet, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol consumption, and illicit drug use alter hormone levels.
Aging also causes low testosterone. While hormone production naturally falls with age, once it reaches the point that you experience symptoms, treatment is appropriate. Chronic diseases, especially ones that cause inflammation, negatively impact hormone production. Disorders like diabetes and thyroid disease often lower testosterone.
Opioid medication and steroidal anti-inflammatories used to manage certain health conditions affect the endocrine system, disrupting the messaging needed to stimulate testosterone production.
Many causes of low hormones, like side effects from medication and chronic illness, are more common in older men. As a result, they reflexively dismiss the signs and symptoms of testosterone loss as an expected part of aging.
Low Testosterone Treatment
Doctors can quickly diagnose low testosterone with a simple blood test and routine office visit that involves a discussion about your symptoms. Together, you can plan the appropriate therapy based on your age, the extent of testosterone loss, and the severity of your symptoms.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) involves raising your hormone levels by introducing outside testosterone. The intervention has well-established protocols and an excellent track record.
The most common form of TRT is injections. Depending on the dose, you receive a shot every two to ten weeks that raises your levels and then wears off between injections. Many men report an invigoration that increases their performance and improves overall wellness.
Doctors also prescribe topical gels, transdermal patches, and implantable pellets. These methods create a steady stream of testosterone for either one day or several months. You then reapply the gel or patch or receive a new implant once the testosterone is depleted. These methods create a prolonged stabilized level.
Diet
Diets high in trans fats, sugar, dairy, and processed foods compromise your overall health and inhibit testosterone production. They also contribute to obesity, which depresses testosterone levels too.
Modifying your diet with lean proteins, leafy green vegetables, fish, and nuts can elevate testosterone naturally and enhance overall health. Reducing or eliminating alcohol intake will also improve levels.
Exercise
Resistance exercises like weight lifting and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can improve your short and long-term testosterone levels. These exercises build muscle mass, which in turn triggers increased testosterone production.
Always consult a doctor when beginning a new exercise routine to minimize the risk of injury and rule out contraindications.
Cardiovascular exercise like running or cycling improves heart health and reduces obesity but does not increase testosterone levels.
FAQ
Can you fix low testosterone naturally?
Yes. Modifying your lifestyle with a better diet, resistance training, and lower alcohol consumption can naturally raise low testosterone levels. However, if your low testosterone results from an underlying medical condition, these methods may not help.
Talking with a physician is critical if you suspect low testosterone because the condition could indicate a more serious health problem.
What happens if low testosterone goes untreated?
While non-life-threatening, untreated low testosterone can worsen. As a result, symptoms become more pronounced. Weight gain despite a consistent diet, diminished sex drive, and erectile dysfunction will progress.
These symptoms can become perpetuating as obesity and mood changes can further dampen testosterone production, exacerbating your symptoms.
How long does it take to fix low testosterone?
You will generally begin feeling the effects of TRT within four to six weeks. Compliance with the treatment plan is vital for raising and stabilizing the levels.
Raising your testosterone naturally may take longer to manifest as the effects come from improving your overall health and building muscle mass.
What quickly increases testosterone?
Eating healthy fats can provide a short-term testosterone boost. Good sources include avocados, salmon, and almonds. Research shows that a high-intensity interval training session, which involves on-and-off sets of intense physical activity and brief rest intervals, temporarily increases levels.
However, the best way to achieve sustained hormone increases is by committing to lifestyle modifications and pursuing TRT if indicated.
What vitamins boost testosterone?
Research shows that zinc, magnesium, and vitamin D are necessary for testosterone production. Ensuring you have healthy levels through a proper diet or vitamin supplements will enable maximum testosterone production.
Treat claims by supplement makers about enhancing testosterone skeptically. Vitamins are essential for bodily function, but cells can only process so much. Excess dosages will not help.
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January 18, 2023
Written By
Jake Peter
Fact-checked By
Dr. Avidon Appel
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