920 Woodstock Rd, Roswell, GA 30075
920 Woodstock Rd, Roswell, GA 30075
MEN'S HEALTH & WELLNESS
Est. Reading Time: 4 Mins
In men’s health, testosterone is key, influencing everything from muscle mass to mood. However, it’s subject to decline due to various causes. While a decrease in testosterone is a natural part of aging, it’s crucial to understand the specific causes of low testosterone in men. This awareness helps in managing these influences to maintain well-being and vitality at any age.
If we’re going to review the causes of low testosterone in men, it’s worth addressing the question, “What are normal levels?”
It’s a simple question, yet the answer can vary. For what it’s worth, modern medicine asserts that 300-1,000 ng/mL (nanograms/deciliter) is the ‘normal’ accepted range.
As we just established, the ‘normal’ range is quite broad. When we focus on optimal health, longevity, and performance – the idea of optimal testosterone levels becomes more personalized.
It’s not just about a number on a lab test result. Instead, it’s about finding the level that supports each individual’s best health. This includes things like energy levels, muscle strength, sexual health, and mental clarity.
FOR GENERAL REFERENCE: At Elite Health HRT, our male patients tend to report they feel their best when they’re in the ~700-950 ng/dL range. The exact threshold is different for every patient, which is exactly why it’s so important to work with a trained medical provider when it comes to any form of hormone replacement therapy.
All men experience natural declines in testosterone as they get older. For most, this starts around 30. As the years go by, levels taper down at a rate of ~1% year over year.
For various reasons, men who are overweight are more prone to having low testosterone levels.
This can be extremely frustrating, especially given that low testosterone also makes it harder for you to burn body fat in the first place!
Let’s briefly examine why higher body fat can cause this:
To little surprise, long-term stress leads to elevated cortisol levels.
Here’s a brief practical breakdown:
Prolonged high cortisol can negatively affect the health and function of Leydig cells in the testes, which are responsible for producing testosterone.
Think of Leydig cells like tiny factories in the testes that work to produce testosterone, helping with things like muscle growth, deepening of the voice, and facial hair during puberty and maintaining men’s health and fertility.
In the intricate symphony of the body’s hormonal system, testosterone plays a key role, especially in men. It’s not just a matter of producing this hormone; it’s about maintaining a delicate balance. Medications, both OTC and prescription, can sometimes be the equivalent of a wrong note in this symphony, disrupting the balance.
To start, the endocrine system is a network of glands throughout the body that produce and release hormones, which then regulate many important body functions.
Specifically, this refers to glands such as the thyroid, adrenals, pancreas, and pituitary gland – all of which influence functions like growth, metabolism, and reproduction.
An Endocrine Disrupting Chemical (EDC) is a substance, either natural or man-made, that interferes with the normal function of the endocrine system.
So what does this mean for you? Unfortunately, EDC’s are extremely prevalent in our day-to-day environment. This is why it’s so important to be mindful of the food you eat, the water you drink, and the products you use.
Here’s a few examples of EDC’s that are common causes of low testosterone in men:
Curious about potential solutions for low testosterone? Learn more about how TRT can effectively restore hormonal balance, improve energy levels, enhance muscle strength, and boost overall quality of life. Click below to explore your options and get expert guidance tailored to your individual needs.
Regular heavy drinking can drop your testosterone levels for men of any age. While we’re not necessarily advocating that you never have a drink for the rest of your life, it’s important to be mindful of the unintended effects:
TIP: For most, eliminating alcohol altogether isn’t necessarily realistic. To start, try reducing weekly volume to 2-3 drinks in total. When you can, avoid sugary, calorie dense drinks. And wherever possible, avoid having multiple drinks in one hour to give your liver ample time to metabolize alcohol. When in doubt, moderation wins!
This will probably come as no surprise. We all intuitively know the impact that a good night’s rest can have on overall health.
It’s important to note that testosterone production follows a daily rhythm and peaks during sleep. So, when poor sleep disrupts this cycle, overall levels will taper down.
Here’s a further examination of why poor sleep is one of the biggest causes of low testosterone in men:
TIP: If you have trouble sleeping, you might consider taking a magnesium glycinate supplement. While there are multiple forms of magnesium, glycinate has been shown to help relax muscles and calm the central nervous system to promote higher quality sleep. Also, magnesium happens to be one of the many precursors to testosterone!
What you eat plays a huge role in your hormones. Missing out on vital nutrients like Vitamin D, zinc, and Omega-3s can cause low testosterone in men, regardless of age.
Several micronutrients play crucial roles as precursors or ‘building blocks’ in the production of testosterone. Here are a few of the key micronutrients involved:
IMPORTANT NOTES
As we conclude our exploration of the top causes of low testosterone in men, it’s crucial to remember that understanding these causes is the first step towards addressing any issues you might be facing. Low testosterone can significantly impact your quality of life, but with the right knowledge and approach, it’s a challenge that can be managed effectively!
The journey of managing testosterone levels is highly individualized. This is exactly why the Elite Health HRT team guides every patient through a targeted, evidence-based treatment plan to help them optimize their hormone levels so they can truly feel their best.
If you’re experiencing symptoms that might indicate low testosterone, or if you’re simply proactive about maintaining optimal hormonal balance, we encourage you to reach out. You can also learn more about our Testosterone Replacement Therapy treatments here.
Thanks for reading!
If you’re trying to figure out what’s behind your low testosterone, you probably have a few questions. Let’s talk through the common FAQs.
Q1. What causes low testosterone in men?
Rarely just one thing. The common drivers are excess body fat, chronic stress, poor sleep, heavy alcohol use, certain medications, and nutrient gaps like low zinc or vitamin D. Aging contributes but explains less than most men assume. Most cases we see are several of these stacked, which is also why several are fixable.
Q2. Does testosterone naturally decline with age?
Yes, starting around 30 and falling roughly 1% a year. That’s slow enough that age alone rarely explains a man in his thirties or forties feeling significantly off. When symptoms outpace what 1% a year would produce, something else is driving it, and that something is usually more treatable than aging.
Q3. Can being overweight cause low testosterone?
It’s one of the strongest drivers, and it feeds itself. Fat tissue carries aromatase, the enzyme that converts testosterone into estrogen, so more fat means more conversion. Higher body fat also brings insulin resistance and chronic inflammation, both of which suppress production. Meanwhile low testosterone makes losing the fat harder.
Q4. Does stress lower testosterone?
Chronic stress does, through several routes at once. Sustained cortisol suppresses the HPG axis and reduces LH release from the pituitary, which is the signal that tells your testes to produce. Cortisol and testosterone are also both built from cholesterol, so a body prioritizing stress diverts the raw material away from testosterone.
Q5. Does alcohol affect testosterone levels?
Yes, long-term heavy alcohol use can lower testosterone. Alcohol can damage the testicular cells that produce testosterone, increase conversion of testosterone into estrogen, and impair liver function that supports hormone balance. Moderating alcohol is one lifestyle change that may help support healthier testosterone levels over time.
Q6. Can poor sleep lower testosterone?
Substantially, because production is tied to sleep itself. Testosterone follows a daily rhythm that peaks during sleep, and LH release from the pituitary depends on sleep quality. Short or fragmented nights cut production directly, then raise cortisol on top of it. This is often the highest-leverage fix for a man in his thirties.
Q7. What are endocrine-disrupting chemicals and how do they affect testosterone?
Compounds that interfere with hormone signaling, usually by mimicking estrogen closely enough to bind your receptors. BPA in plastics, phthalates in packaging and personal care products, PFAS in non-stick cookware, and pesticide residue like glyphosate are the common ones. The effect builds over years rather than showing up suddenly.
Q8. Can diet and nutrient deficiencies cause low testosterone?
Yes, since testosterone is built from raw materials. Zinc is directly involved in synthesis in the testes and a deficiency measurably lowers levels. Vitamin D, magnesium, and omega-3s all play supporting roles. Correcting a real deficiency helps; loading up on any single nutrient beyond what you need doesn’t add more.
Q9. How is the cause of low testosterone diagnosed?
Bloodwork plus context. Total and free testosterone tell you the level, while LH and FSH tell you where the problem is – low testosterone with high LH points at the testes, low testosterone with low LH points upstream at the pituitary. Estradiol, SHBG, thyroid, and body composition fill in the rest.
New to peptide therapy? Download our free guide to learn about the science behind it
If any of these sound familiar, consider it a sign to get your hormone levels checked
We graded each method on 5 key factors. Here's how each form stacked up.
