What Causes Low Testosterone And What Can Be Done About It
Let’s take a look at what causes low testosterone and what can be done to remedy the issue. Hypogonadism is a condition in which the body does not produce enough of the hormones responsible for sexual development and fertility. In males, the main androgen hormone is known as testosterone. Low testosterone levels that accompany hypogonadism can cause symptoms like a lack of muscle strength, erectile dysfunction, and hair loss. Treatment of this condition typically involves both natural options and hormone replacement therapy.1
What Causes Low Testosterone – Symptoms
Symptoms of low testosterone include decreased libido, infertility, fatigue, reduced muscle mass and bone density, enlarged breasts, reduced facial hair, changes in mood or behavior, low libido, headaches, and erectile dysfunction.2 Exactly what causes low testosterone levels include age-related changes in the body, lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, exposure to toxins, certain medical conditions like obesity, genetic abnormalities, medications such as steroids or hormone therapy drugs, and even stress.3
What Causes Low Testosterone – Primary And Central Hypogonadism
Primary hypogonadism is a condition in which the gonads do not produce enough testosterone. Primary hypogonadism can be caused by genetic, medical, or lifestyle factors. Common causes include Kallmann syndrome, Turner’s syndrome, chemotherapy and radiation therapy for chronic illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, excessive exercise or eating disorders such as anorexia, and certain autoimmune diseases.
Read more about autoimmune diseases.
Central hypogonadism is a condition that affects the hormones released by the gonads. It occurs when something disrupts the normal operation of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, resulting in reduced levels of testosterone in men. These glands are responsible for controlling the gonads as well as the release of hormones, but when there is an issue with these centers, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone production may be affected.4
What Causes Low Testosterone As Men Age
Secondary hypogonadism is often caused by androgen deficiency of the aging male (ADAM). After the age of 40, testosterone levels decline. As this happens, symptoms of androgen deficiency often begin to appear such as decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, decreased muscle mass, increased body fat, reduced bone density, and mood changes.5
Research indicates that 34 percent of men aged between 45 and 54 have low testosterone, while this figure rises to 50 percent in men who are over 85 years old.6 Further research indicates that hypogonadism is linked to a number of health concerns, including hypertension, obesity, osteoporosis, and metabolic syndrome.7
Read more about metabolic syndrome.
What Causes Low Testosterone In Males Across The Board?
A decline in testosterone levels in men across all age ranges has been reported in recent years.8 This troubling trend has been attributed to various environmental factors such as endocrine-disrupting compounds and heavy metal exposure.
What Causes Low Testosterone – Endocrine Disrupting Compounds
Endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) are a type of chemical found in everyday products such as detergents, plastics, and cosmetics. EDCs have been linked to a range of negative health effects including infertility, birth defects, and hormone imbalances. In men, EDCs can disrupt the production of testosterone leading to low levels of the hormone. EDCs are believed to work by mimicking or blocking hormones in the body, leading to the disruption of normal hormonal levels and processes.7
What Causes Low Testosterone – Heavy Metal Toxicity
Heavy metals have a detrimental effect on all aspects of human physiology, and testosterone production is no exception. Exposure to heavy metals, such as lead and mercury, has been linked to decreased testosterone levels.9
Read more about how mercury and lead are causing disastrous health effects.
Removing Heavy Metals With DMSA Chelation Therapy
DMSA chelation therapy is a safe, natural, and effective method to detoxify the body of heavy metals. It works by binding to heavy metals in the bloodstream and removing them through the urine. DMSA can be taken orally or intravenously for more targeted removal of specific metals.
When it comes to the removal of heavy metals, DMSA is considered to be one of the most potent and effective chelating agents available. It has been approved by the FDA for treating lead poisoning in children, and it is known to be highly successful in binding other metals such as mercury, arsenic, and cadmium.11
DMSA chelation therapy works best when done systematically over a period of time. Typically, the therapy involves taking DMSA orally or intravenously for 3-5 days and then taking a break for 5-7 days before repeating the cycle again. This allows the body to slowly detoxify itself while avoiding any shock from sudden heavy metal removal.
The effects of DMSA chelation therapy typically appear anywhere from a few days to several weeks after initiating the treatment. However, adequately removing heavy metals from the body usually takes years. Common benefits of DMSA chelation therapy include improved energy levels, better moods, and clearer thinking. DMSA can help reduce inflammation and improve cardiovascular health.12
What Causes Low Testosterone Levels – Stress
A recent study has revealed a strong link between testosterone levels and stress. This study measured participants’ stress responses and their perceived stress levels. Results showed that there was a link between low testosterone levels and high levels of stress. This suggests that testosterone levels are a reliable indicator of an individual’s capacity to handle stress as well as emotional resilience.13
Obesity And Low Testosterone Levels
For the majority of people, achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight is essential in order to regulate their hormone levels. To do this, eating habits need to be modified. Eating right is the most effective natural approach for treating hypogonadism. An unhealthy BMI, either overweight or underweight, can have a negative impact on testosterone levels.
Additionally, low testosterone levels coupled with obesity can be detrimental to neural health, increasing the risk for dangerous diseases.
Exercise And Testosterone Levels
Regular exercise can help to regulate or increase testosterone levels that are low. In fact, physical exercise, no matter how brief, has been associated with an increase in testosterone levels.15
Weight training, as well as high-intensity interval training (HIIT workouts), are two of the most effective ways to increase testosterone and human growth hormone levels. Even more interesting is that heavy lifting isn’t required to increase testosterone production, as any amount of weight lifting corresponds with a spike in testosterone levels when compared with no exercise at all.16
Reversing What Causes Low Testosterone And Improving Testosterone Levels Naturally
To improve testosterone levels, try a range of stress-relieving activities like spending time in nature, meditating, high-intensity exercising, connecting with friends or family, and keeping a journal. Additionally, eating healthy food, staying away from EDCs, and reducing exposure to heavy metals can allow for sufficient natural testosterone production.
If that is not enough, consider taking supplements that have been shown to increase testosterone levels.
L-Arginine And Testosterone
L-arginine is an essential amino acid found in our diet that has numerous beneficial effects. Studies have demonstrated that L-arginine supplementation increases the production of growth hormones, addresses impotence, and improves male erectile dysfunction as well as infertility. Arginine is necessary for the optimal functionality of testosterone.17
Research reveals that consuming L-arginine can double resting human growth hormone (HGH) levels from baseline. In terms of hypogonadism, this is excellent news since HGH is known to naturally increase testosterone production.18
A diet full of wholesome, organic, real foods can help your body produce and utilize more L-arginine. By eating my Cellular Healing Diet which consists of organic grass-fed beef, wild-caught fish, and grass-fed butter, you’ll have the building blocks to optimize testosterone production.
Ashwagandha And Testosterone
Studies have indicated that ashwagandha, a plant that has traditionally been used to treat male sexual dysfunction and infertility, can improve testosterone levels. Study participants took ashwagandha and witnessed a 167 percent increase in sperm count.19 Another study on aging males determined that consumption of ashwagandha for 8 weeks coincided with a 14.7% increase in serum testosterone levels.20
DHEA And Testosterone
DHEA is an important hormone for maintaining testosterone levels. In men, DHEA plays a key role in spermatogenesis and sexual function. Additionally, DHEA helps regulate metabolic activity and contributes to general health and well-being. Research suggests that supplementing with the hormone DHEA increases free testosterone levels.21
Treating Low Testosterone With Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Dietary changes, exercise, supplements, and weight loss can help improve testosterone levels naturally. However, if that is not enough, there are medications available such as topical gels, patches, or injections that deliver testosterone directly to the bloodstream.22
What Causes Low Testosterone
In order to counter what causes low testosterone, it is important to first identify the underlying issue and make changes accordingly. For example, if stress or lack of exercise is contributing to the condition, lifestyle changes such as implementing an exercise program or relaxation techniques are recommended. If that is not enough, supplements like L-Arginine, Ashwagandha, and DHEA can improve testosterone levels. Alternatively, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be needed in more severe cases.
Read more about hormone dysfunction.
References
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3 Male hypogonadism – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic. (2021, September 29). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/male-hypogonadism/symptoms-causes/syc-20354881
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