DR. WALKER

What is Low-T or low testosterone?

Testosterone is a major driving factor in male sex hormone production. It is synthesized in the body from cholesterol and is primarily produced by the testicles. The production of testosterone begins in puberty and is associated with development of male characteristics. Higher level of testosterone is a driving force for sex drive, sperm production, voice maturation, muscle size, and strength. Know that the ovaries in women also produce testosterone, however at a much lower level. If the production of testosterone begins to decrease then some symptoms could develop, including obesity and low sex drive. Another term used to describe this condition is male hypogonadism.

What are some causes of low testosterone?

When evaluating Low-T, there are two main culprits:

Testicle disorder. Generally speaking, disorders associated with testicles are considered to be primary hypogonadism. These are generally associated with congenital birth defects. Example: in the setting of low testosterone, the brain produces luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which would then signal the testicle to produce more testosterone and sperm. However, if there is a surgically or congenital absence of a testicle then signal would be lost and testosterone levels would remain low.

Pituitary/hypothalamus dysfunction. These disorders are generally considered to be developed later in childhood or adulthood. These can be broken down into congenital or acquired conditions. Congenital concerns include syndromic disorders, such as Kallmann’s syndrome (loss of the development of nerve cells in the hypothalamus). Acquired forms of hypogonadism would include things like cirrhosis, hemochromatosis/iron overload, HIV/AIDS, obesity, and renal failure. Typically, there is a feedback loop mechanism between the hypothalamus/pituitary gland that controls the amount of testosterone produced by the testicles. When there are high levels of testosterone in the blood, the feedback mechanism suppresses the production which helps to maintain a normal testosterone level.

How is Low-T diagnosed?

Testosterone levels are generally based on age and sex. Measurements are usually reported in nanograms per deciliter (ng/dl ). Additionally, depending on the laboratory where the blood test is performed, the range could vary somewhat. Generally speaking, 300 to 820 mg/dL is normal for people assigned male at birth, older than 18 years old.

What are some symptoms of male Low-T?

About 33% of people assigned male at birth may develop Low-T as they age; usually age greater than 50. Other sources suggest that there is a 1% to 2% decrease in overall testosterone production each year after 50. Symptoms include erectile dysfunction, shrinking of the testicles, hot flashes, and reduced sex drive. Additional symptoms could include increased body fat, depression, decreased endurance, and decreased muscle strength.

What is the treatment for Low-T?

There is some controversy regarding therapy as sometimes men with normal testosterone levels report some of the same generalized symptoms affecting men even with normal levels; specifically, low energy and sexual dysfunction. At least one study suggests that some men, with normal testosterone levels, still showed the benefit of increased muscle mass and better mood after initiating Low-T therapy.
Important to note that Low-T is relatively common in obese males. One study suggested that 30% of overweight people assigned male at birth had some findings of a Low-T. Overall, 25% of people assigned male at birth suffered from some degree of Low-T by age 50.

Natural ways to correct Low-T

There is no system in place to prevent Low-T, especially when genetic predisposition is the main concern. There are, however, a few lifestyle modifications that could help decrease risk for Low-T, including diet and exercise. Additionally, normalized weight is vitally important as 30% of obese men have some additional risks for Low-T.

Supplements:

Zinc. Specifically how zinc corrects low testosterone is not completely understood. What is known is that zinc is an important mineral that supports the immune system to function properly.
Magnesium. An estimated 70% of Americans are deemed to have magnesium deficiency. Magnesium appears to bind sex hormone, binding globulin/SHBG which enables more-free testosterone. Magnesium deficiency is also associated with cardiovascular and sleep disorders.

Anti-inflammatory foods:

Ginger. Ginger supplementation, particularly in oxidative stress conditions, enhances testosterone production in males.
Turmeric. Turmeric can help increase testosterone, blocking estrogen on a cellular level, promoting healthy testicular Leydig cell functionality, and improving insulin sensitivity.
Ashwagandha. Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub that’s grown in Africa and part of the Middle East and India. Ashwagandha is thought to help increase testosterone by 15% in those who consume the product for 16 weeks. It is a powerful antioxidant. It also helps to control production of luteinizing hormones.
Healthy foods. As previously discussed, obesity is a risk factor for hypogonadism. Generally, fast foods and high-carbohydrate foods lead to obesity. However, increasing foods high in omega-3 such as avocado, olive oil, and coconut oil, and high-quality fish, such as sardines, salmon, and mackerel are beneficial.
Vitamin D3 levels. Low vitamin D levels is another known associated finding in people with Low-T. It is also known that low levels of magnesium result in lower absorption rate of vitamin D levels.

Are there foods to avoid when correcting Low-T?

Lectins. Lectins are known proteins that increase overall body inflammation. That being said, foods high in lectins should be restricted when possible. These food include oats, quinoa, rice, cashews, and fast foods.
High sugars. Chronically elevated blood sugars and insulin levels are known risk factors for obesity, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome, which are all risk factors for Low-T. Moreover, these are all risk factors for developing diabetes, which is another associated factor with low testosterone.
Alcohol. Alcohol has a negative effect on the body including cellular damage and hormonal changes. Alcohol disrupts the function of testicular cells which have an important role in sperm development.
Milk. Some cow’s milk contains synthetic or natural hormones, which might affect a person’s testosterone levels. Additionally, cow feed could contain soy, which could increase the levels of estrogen in the cow’s milk. Lastly, some cows are milked for about 300 days a year, and many times the cow is pregnant. Estrogen sulphate, the main estrogen in milk, is about thirty times as abundant in milk from pregnant cows than in milk from non-pregnant ones. Moreover, the amount of estrogen increases during the later stages of pregnancy. High levels of estrogen negatively affect the estrogen/testosterone balance and could affect sex drive, the ability to have an erection, and the production of sperm; all conditions of Low-T.