Symptoms of Decreased Testosterone: Boost Levels Naturally
Symptoms of Decreased Testosterone: Reclaim Your Vitality with Functional Medicine
Feeling off lately? If you’re battling fatigue, loss of motivation, low libido, depression, or weight gain, you might be facing the symptoms of decreased testosterone. This isn’t just a random slump—testosterone is your body’s powerhouse hormone, and when it dips, it can throw everything out of whack. Functional medicine takes a holistic approach to help men like you optimize testosterone naturally. Let’s dive into what testosterone does, why it matters, and how to get it back on track.
Symptoms and Signs of Low Testosterone
Here’s what you might notice:
- Low energy and excessive fatigue: Feeling wiped out, even after sleep.
- Reduced or absent libido: Less interest in intimacy—or trouble performing.
- Low mood or depression: Irritability or a foggy brain that won’t clear.
- Weight gain: Especially that stubborn belly fat.
- Muscle loss: Workouts feel harder and recovery takes longer.
Left unchecked, low T can up the stakes—think weaker bones, loss of muscle mass, and reduced quality of life. It’s not just an “old guy” problem either—stress, poor diet, or mineral imbalances can tank testosterone at any age.
How to Check Your Testosterone Levels
Wondering where your levels stand? There are multiple ways to check:
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Blood Test (with your GP or iMedical)
- What it does: Measures Free Testosterone, Total Testosterone, and SHBG levels in the blood.
- Pros: Quick, accurate, widely available. Most used and popular.
- Cons: Snapshot-only—best done in the morning when T peaks.
-
Saliva Test
- What it does: Tracks free testosterone (the active kind).
- Pros: Easy, non-invasive, good for daily trends.
- Cons: Accuracy depends on how you collect it. Not paid for by Medicare, so it’s an out-of-pocket expense.
-
Urine Test
- What it does: Analyzes testosterone metabolites over 24 hours.
- Pros: More info and shows how your body processes T.
- Cons: More effort, less common, more expensive.
- For a deeper dive, pair one of these with a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) to spot mineral imbalances driving low T. But why do minerals matter?
Minerals: The Unsung Heroes of Testosterone
Your testosterone isn’t flying solo—and in fact, several minerals are natural boosters of testosterone. A 2011 study by Chang et al. in Biological Trace Element Research found that men with normal testosterone had higher zinc levels in their hair compared to the low-T group. Plus, a drop in testosterone lined up with a lower zinc-to-copper ratio. Here’s how minerals play a role:
- Zinc: The testosterone MVP. It’s key for production and stops T from turning into estrogen. Low zinc = low T.
- Copper: Too much can crowd out zinc, throwing off the balance and potentially tanking testosterone.
- Magnesium: Frees up testosterone by cutting its ties to binding proteins. Research shows it boosts T in active men.
- Selenium: Protects the testes from damage. Studies link low selenium to declining T.
But how do you know if you’re deficient? An HTMA test can pinpoint where you’re off and guide safe supplementation where needed.
What’s an HTMA Test—and How’s It Done?
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is like a detective for your health, showing mineral patterns over months. Here’s the process:
- Collect: Snip a small hair sample (about a tablespoon) from the back/nape of your head/neck.
- Send: Mail it to a lab.
- Analyze: Labs use advanced tech to measure zinc, copper, mercury, magnesium, aluminium, lead, sodium, and many more.
- Results: Get a report with actionable insights.
Cost in Australia: Around AU$200 for an extensive and detailed report. It’s a small price for big answers.
Take Control of Your Testosterone Today
Low testosterone doesn’t have to run the show. With functional medicine, we dig into the root causes—like mineral imbalances—to boost your levels naturally. Tired of feeling foggy and flat? Let’s find out why and fix it. Schedule a consultation now to kickstart your journey to peak vitality!
FAQs About Testosterone Optimisation
What are the main symptoms of decreased testosterone?
Fatigue, low libido, mood swings, muscle loss, and weight gain top the list.
How can I boost testosterone naturally?
Focus on natural boosters of testosterone like zinc, magnesium, and a balanced diet, plus stress management and sleep.
Is HTMA better than a blood test?
Not better—just different. HTMA shows long-term trends; blood tests give a quick snapshot.
How often should I test my testosterone?
Every 6–12 months if you’re optimising, or as symptoms change.
References
- Chang, C. S., Choi, J. B., Kim, H. J., & Park, S. B. (2011). Correlation between serum testosterone level and concentrations of copper and zinc in hair tissue. Biological Trace Element Research, 144(1-3), 264-271.
- Cinar, V., Polat, Y., Baltaci, A. K., & Mogulkoc, R. (2011). Effects of magnesium supplementation on testosterone levels of athletes and sedentary subjects at rest and after exhaustion. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 54(1), 10-14.
- Zeng, Q., Zhou, B., & Wu, Q. (2017). Selenium and testosterone levels in aging men. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, 41, 67-72.