Fixing Low Testosterone: Strategies For Treatment And Lifestyle Changes

If you're dealing with symptoms of low testosterone or have been told you have hypogonadism (that's the medical term for it), you're probably looking for ways to boost your testosterone back to normal. Increasing your levels can help you feel more like your usual self by tackling those symptoms.

But there's no one-size-fits-all answer to fixing low testosterone. The best approach depends on what's causing your hormone levels to drop. In this article, we'll cover all you need to know about the reasons behind low testosterone and the different ways to address it, from changes in your lifestyle to possibly starting testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).

It is common for men to experience a variety of signs and symptoms when their testosterone levels are low.

Some of these include, but are not limited to:

• Increased heart issues
  
  
• Reduced muscle mass
  
  
• Reduced hair growth
  
  
• Poor erection quality
  
  
• Low energy
  
  
• Poor sleep
  
  
• Body fat increases
  
  
• Low mood
  
  
• Poor digestion
  
  
• Hot sweats
  
  
• Low bone density
  
  
• Depression
  
  
• Reduced height
  

To address the issue effectively, it's essential to identify the cause of low testosterone symptoms. By doing so, you can take appropriate steps to improve your testosterone levels. The following are the leading causes of testosterone deficiency in men.

Primary hypogonadism is when your testicles aren't making enough testosterone, which is a crucial hormone for guys. Most of the testosterone in men is produced in the testicles. Sometimes, the testicles might have issues from birth; these problems might pop up during teenage years or develop later in life. Here are a few reasons why this might happen:

• Genetic conditions like Klinefelter syndrome.
  
  
• Testicles that haven't moved to where they should be.
  
  
• Injuries to one or both of the testicles.
  
  
• Catching a specific type of infection called mumps around puberty that impacts the testicles.
  
  
• Having too much iron in your blood is known as hemochromatosis.
  

Secondary hypogonadism is when the testicles are all good, but the problem lies in the brain, particularly in areas called the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. These parts of the brain tell the testicles how much testosterone to make, using particular hormones called FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinising hormone).

In guys with secondary hypogonadism, their testicles are ready to work, but they're not getting the proper instructions from the brain. Here's why this could be happening:

• Genetic conditions like Kallmann syndrome.
  
  
• Tumors in the pituitary gland or nearby brain areas.
  
  
• Illnesses that cause swelling in the body, like sarcoidosis and tuberculosis.
  
  
• HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and AIDS.
  
  

Certain Therapies & Medications

Certain medications can impact the production of testosterone in men. Primary hypogonadism can be caused by cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation, which can affect the testes. The hypothalamic-pituitary axis can be affected by opiate pain medications and hormonal therapies, leading to testosterone deficiency.

Obesity & Weight Gain

The connection between testosterone levels in your blood and your body weight goes both ways. When testosterone levels drop, you might gain more fat and lose some muscle, which changes how your body is built. Guys who are overweight or obese can have up to 30% less testosterone than guys who are at a healthy weight.

Figuring out the exact cause-and-effect between low testosterone and gaining weight is tricky. But there may be a link between eating poorly, not moving much, putting on extra weight, and not having enough testosterone.

Drug & Alcohol Usage

Using drugs and drinking a lot of alcohol can mess up how your testicles, pituitary gland, and hypothalamus work. For example, drinking too much alcohol can harm special cells in the testicles that make testosterone and lower the levels of certain hormones from the pituitary gland, which leads to low testosterone.

Type 2 Diabetes

If you have type 2 diabetes, it doesn't mean you'll have low testosterone, but you're more likely to. Men with diabetes are twice as likely to have low testosterone compared to men without diabetes.

This might be because many people with diabetes also struggle with being overweight. Still, studies now show that having low testosterone could also make you more likely to get diabetes, even if you don't gain weight. This shows how important it is to eat healthy and exercise to keep your testosterone levels normal.

There are multiple methods to address low testosterone levels and alleviate any related symptoms. These methods range from undergoing testosterone replacement therapy to implementing lifestyle changes daily. The following are the main ways to boost testosterone levels.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) is a common treatment for low testosterone. It involves adding testosterone to your body to restore your levels. There are several ways to do TRT:

Skin Patches: You put a patch on your skin, like on your back, stomach, thighs, or arms, every night and change it daily. You have to stick it on different spots each time. The patch slowly releases testosterone into your skin and then into your blood.

Gels and Creams: You rub these onto your skin, and the testosterone moves from your skin into your blood. But be careful—others can accidentally touch the gel or cream and get testosterone on them.

Oral Tablets: These are pills you swallow that contain testosterone. They get into your bloodstream through your stomach. These are prescription pills, not over-the-counter supplements.

Pellets: A healthcare provider puts these tiny pellets under your skin, usually around your hip or buttocks. They release testosterone slowly over 3 to 6 months. You'll need new pellets after that.

Injections: You can get testosterone shots in your muscles or just under your skin. How often you need a shot depends on the type of testosterone. It could be every week or every few months.

Gaining too much weight, not staying active, drinking a lot of alcohol, and taking some medicines can all cause low testosterone levels. But changing up your lifestyle can boost your testosterone without needing meds. Here's how:

Eat Healthy: Stick to a balanced diet to keep a healthy weight and reduce the risk of diabetes. Some research suggests that foods like seafood, ginger, oysters, pomegranates, and leafy greens help boost your testosterone.

Exercise Frequently: Hitting the gym or exercising at home a few times a week can help you shed fat and up your testosterone, even if you don't lose weight. Weightlifting is especially great for a quick testosterone boost right after your workout and for building muscle over time.

Cut Back On Alcohol: Drinking less or stopping altogether can bump up your testosterone levels after a few months. Try to limit yourself to 1-2 drinks a day max to keep your hormones in check.

Keep Stress In Check: Stress can drop your testosterone levels by making your body pump out more cortisol, the stress hormone. Managing stress through exercise, good eating, meditation, and mindfulness can help keep your testosterone levels steady.

Sleep Well: Stress and sleep issues often come together, and not getting enough Zs can lead to low testosterone. Make sure you're getting at least seven hours of sleep a night. Having good sleep habits can help improve your sleep quality.

It's possible to restore testosterone levels if an underlying health condition is the cause of testosterone deficiency. One example is when pituitary tumours affect serum testosterone concentrations.

By removing or shrinking these tumours, normal pituitary functioning and signalling can be restored, increasing testosterone levels. The available treatment options for this condition include medication therapy, radiation therapy, or surgical removal.

Picking the right treatment for low testosterone depends on each person's situation, including their daily routine, their body's makeup, and how they respond to different treatments. Since there are many reasons why someone might have low testosterone, there isn't one "perfect treatment" that works for everyone.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) is often the go-to solution, especially for guys whose testosterone levels have dropped earlier than usual. But the best way to do TRT can vary from one guy to the next. For example:

Testosterone Gels And Patches: These are handy for folks who aren't fans of needles and those who travel a lot and can't always swing by the doctor for a shot. They must be used daily and might be less effective than other TRT methods.

Weekly Or Monthly Injections: These can be a good fit for people with busy schedules since you don't have to remember to do something every day. The downside is that these injections can cause hormone levels to swing, which might lead to side effects for some.

Daily Injections: These keep testosterone levels stable and usually come with fewer side effects, but getting a shot every day can be a hassle for many, making it hard to stick with the treatment.

Testosterone Pills: These can be as effective as injections for some and are great for those who dislike needles. However, they're not officially approved for treating low testosterone caused by ageing.

Sometimes, TRT might not be the best option, particularly for guys whose low testosterone is just part of getting older. These men might be encouraged to try lifestyle changes first since TRT has its risks. This is especially true for men who have had prostate cancer, as TRT could potentially make the cancer come back.

For men who are overweight, not very active, or drink too much, making healthier life choices might be all it takes to get their testosterone levels back up without needing medical treatment.

TRT can be a solid option for dealing with low testosterone, but it's not the best choice for everybody. If you're considering TRT, there are various meds and ways to take them. Plus, you might need an extra treatment like hCG if you want to keep your fertility.

That's why talking with a doctor is important to see if TRT fits you well. Based on your situation, Doctors can help determine the best way to boost your testosterone.

If you need assistance or have questions about testosterone replacement therapy, Androgenix is here to help. Feel free to get in touch for guidance and support.

References

Tajar, A., Forti, G., O'Neill, T. W., Lee, D. M., Silman, A. J., Finn, J. D., Bartfai, G., Boonen, S., Casanueva, F. F., Giwercman, A., Han, T. S., Kula, K., Labrie, F., Lean, M. E. J., Pendleton, N., Punab, M., Vanderschueren, D., Huhtaniemi, I. T., & Wu, F. C. W.; EMAS Group. Characteristics of secondary, primary, and compensated hypogonadism in aging men: evidence from the European Male Ageing Study.

Leproult, R., & Van Cauter, E. Effect of 1 Week of Sleep Restriction on Testosterone Levels in Young Healthy Men.

Humphries, R. K., Bath, D. M., & Burton, N. W. Dysfunctional beliefs, sleep hygiene and sleep quality in university students.

Emanuele, M. A., & Emanuele, N. V. Alcohol’s Effects on Male Reproduction.