Testosterone is a naturally occurring hormone responsible for the male formation of genitals, lean muscle mass, sharp memory and focus, body hair and vocal changes. Puberty shows an increase in testosterone as a boy's body slowly turns into that of a man. According to LA Health and Rejuvenation in Los Angeles, California, testosterone levels decrease as men age, leaving behind loss of muscle mass and bone density. This is sometimes called andropause, for which treatment options are available through natural and medical means.
Diet
Once your doctor has determined that you are indeed showing a decrease in testosterone production, lifestyle changes are one of the first suggestions to successful treatment. According to Body Building.com, eating a healthy, well-balanced diet is the first step to increasing your natural testosterone production. Fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, low-fat dairy and whole grains are important to supporting the adrenal glands that produce these hormones. Although you may want to treat yourself every once in a while, which is not a problem, there are dietary factors you should avoid. Alcohol consumption has been shown to decrease male testosterone production by up to 20 percent, according to Body Building.com.
Sleep
Sleeplessness is another reason for testosterone decline in men of all ages. According to Body Building.com, getting enough sleep at night greatly increases your adrenal function. When our bodies are well rested, all systems and organs are in proper working order, and should have enough energy to fuel the fire. Sleep deprivation causes energy expenditure to occur quicker, and bodily functions from organs and systems to slow dramatically. Keeping a cool bedroom free of distraction can help improve your quality of sleep, while the use of over-the-counter sleep aids is another safe alternative to catching the desperately needed Z's.
Supplements
Along with diet and rest, vitamin deficiencies can also be to blame for lowered hormone levels. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine's PubMed, a 2006 study was conducted on 10 male test subjects. Subjects were provided with resistance training and supplementation with L-carnitine. The subjects were studied for 21 days, and half were given post-resistance-training water intake, while the other half were given nutritional consumption. Scientists concluded that the fed group showed significant increase in testosterone after receiving L-carnitine supplements and proper nutrition after resistance training.
Medications
Medicinal practice allows doctors to treat hormone decrease with replacement therapies. TRT, also known as testosterone replacement therapy, uses natural and synthetic hormone medications to boost your natural levels. According to LA Health and Rejuvenation, TRT helps regulate and stabilize hormone fluctuations, whether it be mild or extreme cases. TRT is available through licensed medical practitioners in injection, gel and patch forms for easier absorption into the male body.
Drawbacks
Signs of lowered testosterone make life uncomfortable for most men suffering this hormonal imbalance. Lowered sex drive, loss of muscle, memory loss and skin changes are all symptoms of lowered testosterone levels. Although therapy is normally successful, starting any treatment without the consent of your doctor can have health implications. Too much testosterone can cause a condition known as hirsutism, or excessive body hair growth, as well as some medical conditions. Never jump into any therapies to increase hormone production without knowing for certain that you are suffering from testosterone decline. Your doctor can make this diagnosis through thorough blood testing and physical examination.
