The pituitary gland, which is found at the base of the brain, sends messages to the testes to produce testosterone. Signals from the brain to the pituitary gland regulate testosterone production in men. It’s an invitation to engage more deliberately with the systems that determine how sharply and energetically you inhabit your mind across the decades ahead. The hormonal changes of aging are real, and their cognitive effects deserve to be taken seriously rather than dismissed as inevitable background noise. The evidence on its cognitive effects has become considerably more sophisticated since the early studies that generated alarm, and the current picture suggests that timing, formulation, and individual health profile all matter significantly. And then, I guess, the fourth thing would be getting adequate sleep. The second thing is exercise, particularly weight lifting. So, trying to have a normal weight can help a lot, even losing as little as 15 to 20 pounds can make a huge difference. By adopting these five lifestyle changes, you’ll not only support healthy hormone levels—you’ll also enhance your energy, focus, performance, and long-term wellness. But a balanced diet that supports overall health also helps maintain healthy testosterone levels. Following a nutritious diet and healthy lifestyle using some of the tips outlined above can help optimize testosterone levels and promote overall health. Shiv Sudhakar, M.D., is an infectious disease specialist and health contributor to NBC News Health. In those cases, testosterone testing can help diagnose conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, adrenal disorders or rare tumors. "However, treating low normal testosterone without a known cause is controversial and has increased in the past decade likely due to direct-to-consumer marketing," Spratt said. A lot of men are overweight and don't take great care of themselves. And guys that have been diagnosed with low testosterone, what else can you do, other than the creams and the pills? Dr. James Hotaling is a urologist and also an expert in men's health here at University of Utah Health Care. However, for those who can, we encourage subscribing and listening to the original content for a more engaging and immersive experience. The reality is that testosterone decline affects 4 out of 10 men over 45, but symptoms often begin much earlier. "Fortunately, weight loss, whether through lifestyle changes or medications, can reverse it in many cases," Portillo said. Certain conditions are well known to decrease testosterone in men, including excess fat, especially around the abdomen, which interferes with hormone signals from the brain to the testicle, experts say. By age 75, the average male testosterone level drops to about 65% of the average level seen in young adults, Portillo said. "The findings from this study highlight an important intersection between metabolic health and hormonal balance," Stanford said. In some cases, men may need to have their testosterone supplement doses lowered or discontinued, especially if their testosterone normalizes while on weight loss medications. "The increases we observed were more modest than what you would typically see with testosterone replacement therapy," said lead author Dr. Shellsea Portillo Canales, endocrinologist at SSM Health St. Louis University Hospital, via email. Today’s men face unprecedented challenges to their testosterone levels in men. "In general, we don’t routinely measure testosterone in women, unless there are signs of a hormonal imbalance, like excess facial hair (hirsutism), irregular periods, infertility or signs of masculinization," Portillo said. Testosterone levels that are truly low are most concerning because low testosterone can lower bone density (which increases the risk of fracture), reduce muscle mass, lower hemoglobin (red blood cells) levels and decrease libido, experts say. Spratt said it’s important to distinguish between normal testosterone levels that increase but remain in the normal range, versus low testosterone levels that increase to normal.
