Low t risk factors include:. Millions of men use testosterone replacement therapy to restore low levels and feel more alert, energetic, mentally sharp, and sexually functional. But it's not that simple. A man's general health also affects his testosterone levels. For instance, being overweight, having diabetes or thyroid problems, and taking certain medications, such as glucocorticoids and other steroids, can affect levels.
Therefore, simply having low-t levels does not always call for taking extra testosterone. Doctors diagnose low testosterone based on a physical exam, a review of symptoms, and the results of multiple blood tests since levels can fluctuate daily.
If your doctor diagnoses low testosterone, other tests may be considered before therapy. For example, low-t can speed bone loss, so your doctor may recommend a bone density test to see whether you also need treatment for osteoporosis.
Prostate cancer is another concern, as testosterone can fuel its growth. As a result, the Endocrine Society recommends against testosterone supplementation for men in certain situations, including those who:. In most cases, men need to have both low levels of testosterone in their blood and several symptoms of low testosterone to go on therapy. It is possible to have low levels and not experience symptoms. But if you do not have any key symptoms, especially fatigue and sexual dysfunction, which are the most common, it is not recommended you go on the therapy given the uncertainty about long-term safety.
Even if your levels are low and you have symptoms, low-t therapy is not always the first course of action. If your doctor can identify the source for declining levels—for instance, weight gain or a particular medication—he or she may first address that problem. If you and your doctor think testosterone replacement therapy is right for you, there are a variety of delivery methods to consider, as found in the Harvard Special Health Report Men's Health: Fifty and Forward. Most men feel improvement in symptoms within four to six weeks of taking testosterone replacement therapy, although changes like increases in muscle mass may take from three to six months.
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No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Thanks for visiting. In the elderly, vitamin D and calcium also optimized testosterone levels, which led to a reduced risk of falling To boost testosterone and reap the other benefits of vitamin D, try to get regular exposure to sunlight or take around 3, IU of a vitamin D3 supplement daily.
Vitamin D3 supplements may boost testosterone levels, especially in the elderly and people who have low blood levels of vitamin D.
Although the benefits of multivitamins are hotly debated, specific vitamins and minerals may be beneficial Zinc also boosts testosterone in athletes and those who are deficient in zinc 60 , 61 , Other studies also suggest vitamins A, C and E can play a role in your sex hormone and testosterone levels, although more research is needed 25 , 63 , 64 , Out of all the vitamins and minerals available, the research on testosterone shows vitamin D and zinc supplements may be best 54 , 66 , Vitamin D and zinc have the strongest evidence as testosterone boosters.
Other micronutrients may also have benefits, but require further research. Getting good sleep is just as important for your health as diet and exercise 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , One long-term study observed that those who slept only four hours per night had borderline deficient levels Other long-term studies support this.
Although some people seem to do fine with less sleep, research suggests around 7—10 hours of sleep per night is best for long-term health and your testosterone. Make sure you get plenty of high-quality sleep to maintain healthy testosterone levels and optimize your long-term health.
Only a few natural testosterone boosters are supported by scientific studies. The herb with the most research behind it is called ashwagandha. Ginger extract may also boost your levels. It is a delicious herb that also provides various other health benefits 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , Most of the research on ginger has been done in animals. Other popular herbs that are supported by some studies in both animals and humans include horny goat weed, Mucuna pruriens , shilajit and tongkat ali.
If you have healthy testosterone function and normal levels, it is unclear whether you will benefit much from these supplements. Several herbal supplements are a natural way to boost testosterone for those with infertility or low levels.
A healthy sex life plays an important role in regulating your sex hormone and testosterone levels 85 , High exposure to estrogen-like chemicals may also affect your levels, so try to minimize daily exposure to BPA , parabens and other chemicals found in some types of plastic 86 , 87 , 88 , Reducing exposure to estrogen-like chemicals, alcohol and drugs can positively affect your testosterone levels and health.
This is a problem because strong research shows a link between low testosterone and obesity, increased disease risk and premature death.
Healthy testosterone levels are also important for women, along with other key hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. Therefore, everyone should take the necessary lifestyle steps to optimize testosterone levels. You will improve your health and body at the same time. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. Men and depression. National Institute of Mental Health. Department of Health and Human Services. Natural Medicines.
Testosterone treatments. Hormone Health Network. National Alliance on Mental Illness. Snyder PJ. Overview of testosterone deficiency in older men. Osteoporosis adult. Rochester, Minn. Nippoldt TD expert opinion. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 5, See also Pre-ejaculation fluid and pregnancy Birth control options Cancer treatment for men: Possible sexual side effects Discolored semen: What does it mean?
Erectile dysfunction and diabetes Frequent sex: Does it protect against prostate cancer? Health issues for gay men Healthy sperm: Improving your fertility Loss of sex drive in men: Natural with aging? Male masturbation: Does frequency affect male fertility? Penis fracture Penis health Penis enlargement Prostatitis and sex Psoriasis and intimacy Testosterone therapy: Potential benefits and risks as you age Yeast infection in men: How can I tell if I have one?
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