Understanding Testosterone Decline
The decrease in testosterone levels as men age isn’t the same as specific medical conditions like Klinefelter syndrome, where an extra X chromosome is present from birth. These particular conditions often receive testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), but the application of such treatment for others with low testosterone symptoms is more debated. According to Kelly, healthy men only experience a “slight decline” in testosterone during their 70s and 80s. Notably, a sharper decline is usually linked to health issues such as inflammation, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, elements in your diet—like processed foods and certain chemicals in plastic—can impact testosterone levels. Kelly emphasizes that the average testosterone level matters, especially since it can fluctuate throughout the day and even with the seasons. Yes, over-exercising can temporarily lower testosterone, but that’s often just a passing phase.
For Kelly, maintaining good testosterone levels largely hinges on adopting a healthy lifestyle, which includes exercising, eating well, and getting enough sleep. It’s basically the usual advice we often hear. However, there are cases where TRT could be “really useful” for breaking a bad health cycle. For example, if someone is obese and ends up with lower testosterone, that can hinder their ability to process sugar and fat effectively, potentially worsening their obesity.
Foster takes a stronger stance on the potential advantages of TRT. He compares the testosterone decline in middle-aged men to menopause in women, suggesting that while lifestyle changes can help, they may not resolve the issue entirely. “You can take all the zinc and selenium supplements you want,” he remarks, “but it won’t restore your testicles to how they were a decade ago.”
Both Kelly and Foster reference studies that show low testosterone in men is tied to a higher risk of mortality. A healthier lifestyle might elevate testosterone levels to what’s considered “normal” by the NHS, around eight nanomoles per liter. However, all the health risks associated with low testosterone likely won’t disappear just because levels improve slightly.
Foster is cautious about prescribing TRT to men under 30 without clear medical issues. He points out that testosterone levels naturally rise until about age 30. “If we start tampering with this at 22, what if it leads to problems later when you’re 40, 50, or 60?” He finds the increasing trend of younger men, particularly in the bodybuilding community, embracing TRT quite alarming.
There’s an obsession in certain online spaces focused on maximizing testosterone, which can lead to some unusual habits. In a dedicated testosterone forum on Reddit, one user shares a quirky regimen: “Carnivore diet. Semen retention (no porn). Heavy lifting. Lots of sunlight exposure… especially on the testicles.”
As Kelly points out, navigating this landscape can be tricky. The idea that abstaining from masturbation raises testosterone levels is only supported by “a handful of people,” and this has to be compared to the more apparent benefits of regular sexual activity. If you’re worried about low testosterone, it might be a good idea to get in shape and refine your diet, and consider TRT, depending on your circumstances. It’s also wise to ignore some of the odd advice circulating online.
