The Hormonal Link: Fatigue and Low Testosterone

Welcome back! In this series, we’ve explored the effects of imbalanced estrogen and cortisol and how to address those issues. Now, let’s dive into something many guys worry about as they get older – low testosterone.

As we age, some common symptoms of low testosterone might crop up. If you’ve watched TV anytime in the last five years, you’ve probably noticed all the ads for testosterone-boosting pills, creams, and gels that promise to get you ripped and energized. It’s obvious this is a huge issue for many men.

We reached out to an expert we spoke to earlier in the series to discuss low testosterone and how he tackled it. Here’s what we found out:

Men typically see a decline in testosterone after 35-40 years old. While it might seem logical to just add more testosterone through supplements to get levels back up, it’s not always the best or only solution.

Pharmaceutical companies often suggest testosterone gel for men with low levels, but not everyone actually needs this form of treatment. In some cases, natural testosterone levels might range from 250 to 1000 ng/dl. For instance, my own levels were around 800 ng/dl when I was younger. But by my late 40s, I noticed it was getting tougher to keep muscle and I gained weight more easily, which prompted me to get my testosterone checked.

At age 48, a blood test showed my levels at 418 ng/dl—a significant drop. Even though this was still within the normal range, I was concerned. My doctor pointed out that symptoms often don’t appear until levels drop below 250 ng/dl and jokingly commented that I was just experiencing early aging.

I tested again and saw levels between 391 to 410 ng/dl with no new symptoms, but my doctor suggested testosterone cream, though I was hesitant to rely on external hormones. So, I consulted an endocrinologist for a second opinion. This specialist recommended supplements and some lifestyle changes before resorting to hormone therapy.

Skeptical yet open-minded, I gave these suggestions a try. After making the changes, my follow-up blood tests showed a surprising increase in testosterone levels, reaching 674, 775, and 703 ng/dl.

Understanding why testosterone levels drop can make it easier to see why the endocrinologist’s advice worked. As men accumulate body fat, estrogen levels can rise, which interferes with testosterone. Foods like broccoli and cauliflower help reduce excess estrogen.

Since I wanted variety, I took dried vegetable capsules for my daily intake. I avoided grapefruit because it can interfere with estrogen breakdown. Supplements like ZMA, Tribulus, and d-aspartic acid have shown mixed results in boosting testosterone levels in studies, seeing increases in some cases by 10-30%.

Saw Palmetto is popular for its potential to prevent the conversion of testosterone, which might also help with prostate health. Wearing looser underwear, like boxers instead of briefs, could possibly support better testosterone and sperm production.

Using heavier weights in strength training can naturally boost testosterone by triggering muscle growth mechanisms. I learned that while each change alone might not massively impact testosterone levels, together they made a noticeable difference.

A year later, my testosterone level remains around 700 ng/dl. Sharing my experience is to highlight that if you’re experiencing a similar decline, it’s worth exploring all your options. Doctors might quickly suggest testosterone supplements, but there could be natural alternatives to try first.

For women with estrogen or cortisol issues, have a look at Part I of this series for some helpful insights.