Testosterone plays a key role in health and fitness, but even men in their 30s can end up with very low testosterone for several reasons.
Some just put it all down to natural aging, but I decided to have a chat with an endocrinologist who specializes in men’s health issues and hormones.
Together, we spent an entire day going through scientific papers that zeroed in on testosterone deficiency for men in their 30s.
Here’s why you need to monitor low testosterone in your fourth decade.
Quick Summary
- The causes of low testosterone in your 30s are weight gain, smoking, alcohol consumption, and lack of physical exercise.
- Men who suffer from reduced testosterone levels might experience reduced fertility, low sex drive, and loss of muscles.
- Diet, supplements, regular workout, and testosterone replacement therapy are some of the ways you can boost your testosterone levels.
What Causes Low Testosterone in Men Over 30?
The main causes of low testosterone in men over 30 are weight gain, lack of physical exercise, alcohol consumption, smoking, as well as diseases like diabetes and cancer [1].
These are the causes that can lead to a level of low testosterone that has significant health implications.
But it’s also important to note that from age 30, men produce 1% less testosterone each year. And recent studies suggest that a quarter of all men over 30 have low testosterone levels [2].
And it all comes down to some signals the brain sends.
There are two hormones that the brain and pituitary gland release to stimulate testosterone production: luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) [3].
As mentioned above, diet, fitness, and physical activity play a significant role in releasing these hormones.
I’ll get to some low testosterone treatment options shortly, but first, let’s look at what can happen with testosterone deficiency.
What Happens When A Man's Testosterone Is Low?
While there are many processes in the body that depend on steady hormone levels, there are some symptoms of low testosterone you should be aware of.
Reduced Fertility
Many things can influence sperm production, but it is heavily reliant on testosterone [4]. It’s one of the most common reasons that people opt for testosterone therapy.
But it’s also important to look at general health factors, including diet and body mass, before considering medical testosterone therapy.
Reduced Sex Drive
In extreme cases, testosterone deficiency syndrome can cause erectile dysfunction. But even a slightly lower T-count can have a substantial impact on libido [5].
There are other health reasons and hormones that come into play, but improving dietary habits can make a big difference in sexual function.
“In a large study of men in Massachusetts, about 11% overall said they had a lack of sex drive. The researchers then tested all the men's testosterone levels. About 28% of men with low testosterone had low libido.”
- Matthew Hoffman, MD at WebMD.com
Physical Changes
One of the big problems of low blood testosterone is the increased risk of losing muscle mass and bone density. But there’s also a higher risk of sleep apnea [6]. Bone density is a big risk as many people don’t show symptoms until they reach serious levels of bone loss.
Related Articles:
How Can You Boost Testosterone: From Dietary Adjustments to Hormone Replacement Therapy ?
Here’s what to do If your testosterone level is low. For a comprehensive understanding of testosterone replacement solutions, consider reading the Fountain TRT Review.
Diet
It’s absolutely critical to look at your diet first when you’ve got a low T-count. Even if you qualify for hormone replacement therapy, you could be undoing a lot of that medical intervention by continuing with a diet that reduces natural testosterone production [7].
Start with a generally healthy and balanced diet. And then add things like ginger, leafy greens, oysters, and fatty fish [8].
A testosterone-boosting diet plan will also help avoid many serious health conditions allowing you to lose weight more effectively.
Exercise
Exercise can have a short-term effect on testosterone levels, and that makes having a regular workout regime all the more important [9].
Testosterone-building exercises will also help to build up more muscle mass, which provides more motivation to keep getting fit.
Ultimately, it creates a positive feedback loop where more exercise reduces fat reserves, which boosts testosterone and muscle fibers [10].
Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Men with very low T-count often have to go for testosterone replacement therapy [11].
This may be down to other health issues with the pituitary gland, but it’s something you should only ever discuss with a doctor.
There are significant side effects from such treatment, and it’s vital that those are carefully monitored to ensure you don’t develop long-term issues.
Supplements
One of the best treatment options for low testosterone is to try out some natural testosterone boosters.
They are supplements that combine important vitamins, minerals, herbs, and amino acids.
With the right combination of scientifically proven ingredients, you could significantly increase your body’s natural hormone production.
FAQs
Is Low Testosterone Normal at 30?
Yes, low testosterone can be normal from age 30 due to natural aging.
But ensuring that your levels don’t drop too far is a key part of slowing down normal aging and avoiding health issues as well.
How Do You Test for Low Testosterone?
The best way to test and diagnose low testosterone is with a blood test. What these blood tests do is measure your free testosterone, and by comparing the results over time, it gives you an indication of where your levels are heading.
Stay on Top of Low T-Count
If you’ve encountered some symptoms of low testosterone and confirmed it with a blood or saliva test, then don’t immediately resort to testosterone replacement therapy.
There are natural ways to deal with low testosterone levels, including supplements specifically designed for this problem.
We have tested dozens of recommended T-boosters for men and have identified those that work the best. The great thing is that they use only natural ingredients with no banned substances.
I would highly recommend trying one of them first, as many men can improve their T-count within just a few months.
References:
- https://meridienresearch.net/complications-low-testosterone-medical-research-needed/
- https://abcnews.go.com/Health/Healthday/story?id=4508669&page=1
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33683047/
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/low-testosterone-and-fertility/
- https://www.webmd.com/men/how-low-testosterone-can-affect-your-sex-drive
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6305865
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6266690/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323759#top-8-testosterone-boosting-foods
- https://www.webmd.com/men/features/exercise-and-testosterone
- https://www.menstclinic.com/blog/what-does-testosterone-have-to-do-with-weight-loss
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/sexual-health/in-depth/testosterone-therapy/art-20045728
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