The possible causes of low testosterone levels include ageing, chronic disease, short-term illness, medication, testicular injury, non-cancerous tumours, certain genetic diseases, and alcohol use disorder. Up to 30% of patients with initially abnormal testosterone values have normal levels on repeat testing.2 Not Medical Advice The content on this website, including text, graphics, images, and other material, is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. After menopause, typically between the ages of 45 and 55 years, testosterone levels in females decrease significantly. But there are ranges over a lifetime by which testosterone levels are measured and compared at any age. If your results show high testosterone levels, it might be worth meeting with your doctor to confirm the results through a physician-ordered blood test and to discuss your next steps. In females, testosterone levels also begin to drop more rapidly after age 30 years and are significantly reduced postmenopause. If you have concerns about testosterone levels, consulting a healthcare professional is advised for proper evaluation and management. Maintaining balanced testosterone levels is important for overall health, vitality, sexual function, and emotional well-being. Testosterone is a vital hormone that supports male characteristics and overall health. The diagnosis of hypogonadism is strictly based on unequivocal and consistently low testosterone levels in combination with symptoms and signs of low testosterone.4 It is possible to have low testosterone without symptoms, and it is normal for testosterone levels to decrease gradually with age.3 Peptides like Kisspeptin-10, LH-RH analogs, and some growth hormone secretagogues can temporarily elevate testosterone levels during testing. Addressing this issue effectively requires a collective effort from individuals, healthcare providers, and policymakers to create an environment conducive to maintaining healthy testosterone levels. The decline in testosterone levels over generations has implications that extend beyond individual health, affecting societal norms, personal identity, and psychological well-being. The declining trend in testosterone levels among men is not just an isolated hormonal issue; it has widespread implications affecting various aspects of health. The decline in testosterone levels among men across generations is not just a matter of hormonal imbalance; it has profound implications for physical, mental, and overall health. The recognition of these factors is a crucial step towards mitigating their impact and potentially reversing the trend of declining testosterone levels. The evolution of food manufacturing and industrialization has significantly altered the nutritional landscape, with potential implications for testosterone levels. These studies suggested that a man in his 60s in the 2000s had lower testosterone levels than a man in his 60s in the 1980s. Because of this, free testosterone is theorized—although still debated—to be a good proxy for how much of your testosterone is actively working. Bioavailable testosterone includes testosterone that is free or loosely attached to albumin. Both varieties suggest an abnormality in the level of bioavailable testosterone. Only testosterone that is free or attached to albumin is considered available for use. Measuring your SHBG level provides information about how much of your testosterone is active. The possible causes of high testosterone include steroid use, testicular tumours, and adrenal gland disorders. However, if you are a "grey area" patient, a health professional will require more detailed information and suggest a more comprehensive test.1 However, because some ingredients can affect blood flow and influence the activity of the testes and other parts of the endocrine system, we highly recommend speaking to your doctor before starting any new regimen to increase testosterone. Also known as longjack, tongkat ali has been shown to increase testosterone levels and decrease various markers of stress at doses ranging from 200mg to 400mg.37 38 It also appears to have a positive influence on erectile performance.39 Our current top pick comes from Maximus Tribe, which uses a painless blood collection method and offers data on testosterone, as well as other biomarkers critical to monitoring safety and efficacy during testosterone replacement therapy. You should always talk to your physician before beginning any supplement and, in this case, see if they can order testing for your testosterone levels. "If your body has low testosterone levels, then you may not feel like having sex at all. This could lead to erectile dysfunction." "Low sex drive can be caused by many things, but the most common cause is low testosterone levels," Elmardi said. Clinically low testosterone is also known as male hypogonadism, and it causes numerous symptoms. Gain meaningful insights about your health with easy-to-understand test results without the complex jargon. We'll offer lifestyle insights and guidance tailored to your results that you can use to make healthier choices. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. In younger men (20-30), approximately 2-3% of total testosterone exists in the free form and about 30-35% is bioavailable. However, ingredients like ashwagandha, fenugreek, and zinc may modestly increase levels in deficient individuals. For accurate assessment of your natural testosterone production, consider discontinuing DHEA supplementation for at least one week before testing, with your healthcare provider’s approval. What standard testing can reveal, however, is suppressed LH and FSH levels alongside elevated testosterone, which strongly suggests exogenous testosterone administration. Conversely, peptides that influence cortisol or thyroid function may indirectly affect testosterone production and SHBG levels. One of the most confusing aspects of testosterone assessment is when symptoms don’t seem to match laboratory results. Your body can’t use the testosterone in that second camp to help improve exercise performance or burn fat. Studies repeatedly show that increasing vitamin D intake can increase testosterone.22 But credible research isn't necessarily statistically or clinically significant, and too many studies rely on participant sets that are too small to correlate with the general population. By suppressing SHBG, you can effectively increase your free testosterone from your regular testosterone supply. Testosterone boosters work on different parts of your endocrine system, depending on their ingredients. Take a look at the chart below to see how top testosterone boosters compare. In our opinion, the best testosterone booster currently on the market is Testosterone Support by Innerbody Labs.
