Testosterone levels should be regularly monitored throughout the treatment process. Regular physical activity, particularly resistance training and high-intensity interval training, can stimulate natural testosterone production. Men over 40 may also experience more severe versions of these symptoms, along with sleep disturbances and memory issues. Common symptoms include reduced sexual function, increased body fat, decreased muscle mass, mood swings, chronic fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.
The functional medicine model assesses an individual patient’s genetic, biochemical, and lifestyle factors, and practitioners collaborate with each patient to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses current health conditions and concerns, which may include low testosterone levels or a testosterone deficiency diagnosis. A holistic functional/Integrative medicine approach to hormone optimization involves a comprehensive evaluation of an individual’s health history, lifestyle factors, and underlying causes of hormonal imbalances. In this episode of The Balancing Point, I continue the conversation on testosterone by sharing the herbs and supplements I trust—and personally used—to support healthy testosterone levels without pharmaceutical risks.
These symptoms respond well to integrative medicine approaches. Management of low female testosterone is complex and lends itself to a functional medicine approach. A 2021 study aimed to investigate the effect of zinc supplementation on testosterone levels and sexual function in postmenopausal women. If you don’t absorb fat well or eat enough healthy fat in your diet, making the proper amount of hormones may be challenging. SHBG is a protein primarily produced in the liver that binds to sex hormones testosterone and estrogen throughout the body and controls the amount in circulation. In a meta-analysis of 29 studies, statins in their cholesterol-lowering function were shown to influence testosterone levels in both men and women. When women undergo bilateral oophorectomy (removal of ovaries), their serum testosterone levels may decrease significantly.
Optimized levels are important for a sense of well-being, energy, maintaining muscle mass, supporting healthy body composition, reproductive function, and libido in both sexes. As men age, testosterone levels naturally begin to decline, estimated at one to three percent per year after the age of 40.1 When testosterone production drops below certain levels and patients experience low-testosterone symptoms such as decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, loss of energy, fatigue, and reduced muscle mass or bone density, it may lead to a testosterone deficiency diagnosis. Dr. John Nieters shares safe, research-backed herbs and supplements that support testosterone naturally—without the risks of pharmaceutical hormone therapy. She connects with her patients through trust, education, and a "whole-body" approach to health care. Rather than relying solely on hormone replacement therapy (HRT), this approach aims to identify and address the root causes of hormonal disruptions. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the field of functional medicine, which focuses on addressing the root causes of health issues rather than just treating symptoms.
Optimizing testosterone levels and finding balance is a process that requires listening to the body's innate signals, identifying root causes, and taking a gradual holistic approach. This complete approach means treatment for more than isolated symptoms and recognition of how body systems influence testosterone production. Unlike conventional treatment, integrative medicine looks at the full picture of men’s health to restore hormonal balance naturally. It is used to support testosterone levels with the idea that if the precursor hormone is provided, it may allow the body to convert it to testosterone. Birth control pills may influence testosterone levels by raising sex hormone binding globulin  (SHBG), a protein that binds to sex hormones in the body and controls the amount in circulation. In healthy women, the primary hormones produced by the ovaries are estrogens and progesterone, but they also produce testosterone both before and after menopause. Reducing stress is crucial for maintaining healthy testosterone levels.
For over 25 years, our focus has been on producing clinician-curated nutritional supplements for patients seeking to take control of their health. Although flavonoids and bioflavonoids have long been incorporated into the care plans of many, individuals may be una... Ginger and artichoke have been a staple of traditional medicine for centuries.
These symptoms often point to treatable hormone imbalances that respond well to proper care. Regular communication with our healthcare team makes shared treatment more effective as your body adapts. Our practice has seen remarkable improvements in testosterone levels by optimizing sleep patterns. Most men blame their sleep troubles on stress or getting older instead of linking them to hormone health. Through complete testosterone testing, we can tell if your symptoms come from low testosterone or other causes, letting us create personalized treatment approaches. This hormone controls metabolism, so good levels help maintain healthy weight and energy use.
My experience at Serenity Health Care Center shows these psychological symptoms can affect quality of life more than physical changes. Men can easily spot physical signs of low testosterone, but mental and emotional effects often slip under the radar. These changes often sneak up slowly, making them easy to write off as "normal aging" instead of treatable hormone problems. Men with low testosterone notice several physical and mental changes. Mental symptoms like brain fog and irritability can substantially affect their quality of life, relationships, and job performance.
This may include measuring total testosterone, free testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, thyroid hormones, and other relevant markers. A holistic perspective to understanding, testing, and optimizing testosterone aims to enhance vitality, health, and quality of life without disrupting the body's natural rhythms. If lifestyle changes don’t resolve symptoms, repeat testing helps determine if hormone medications may be warranted. Your doctor will order lab testing to accurately measure circulating testosterone levels. Symptoms alone cannot diagnose abnormal testosterone levels. Understanding the wide-ranging effects of testosterone allows for recognizing when its imbalance may be contributing to symptoms. BHRT uses hormones that match the molecular structure of those naturally produced by the body.