TRT Plus Dietary and Lifestyle Changes for Low T Treatment

Posted: January 9, 2020

As we age, our testosterone levels naturally decline. Low T affects many men and can cause many undesirable symptoms. There are several factors that influence testosterone levels, including chronic illnesses and what we eat. Therefore, if you are experiencing symptoms of low testosterone, talk to your doctor about low T and what you can do to feel better.

Oftentimes, doctors prescribe testosterone replacement therapy to men suffering from low T to help with their symptoms. However, pairing testosterone replacement with lifestyle changes can be a more comprehensive approach to low testosterone treatment. Since there are many factors that impact your testosterone levels, you may want to talk to your doctor about what changes you can make in addition to a testosterone replacement regimen. For example, your doctor may recommend dietary and lifestyle changes that can work together with TRT to help relieve your symptoms.

What is Low T?

Low T is a common name for the medical condition hypogonadism. Hypogonadism is a condition where your body doesn’t produce enough testosterone. You can be born with this condition or develop it later on. Low testosterone can affect you at any stage in life and can be caused by various situations and conditions. Genetics, injury, illness, prescription drugs, and aging can all cause low testosterone levels.

Male hypogonadism falls into one of two categories: primary and secondary. Primary hypogonadism is when low T is caused by an issue with the testicles. Testicular injury, cancer treatment, and undescended testicles are some examples of primary causes of low testosterone. By contrast, secondary hypogonadism occurs when there is a problem with your pituitary gland or hypothalamus. For example, pituitary disorder, inflammatory diseases, and obesity can lead to secondary hypogonadism and low testosterone levels.

Symptoms

Whether you have primary or secondary hypogonadism, low T can cause negative physical, mental, and sexual health effects. Some of the symptoms of low testosterone in men are:

• Decreased energy
• Depression
• Low libido
• Unexplained weight gain

These symptoms can adversely impact your life. For example, if you are suffering from depression, it can be difficult to do the things you normally enjoy. While these symptoms are a concern in and of themselves, there can be other complications of low T. If left untreated, men with hypogonadism can experience other health issues, like erectile dysfunction and insulin resistance. Therefore, if you have early warning signs of low T, it’s important to schedule a men’s health assessment to address your symptoms.

Your doctor may recommend testosterone replacement therapy for low T. TRT may help increase your testosterone levels back up to a healthy range. A personalized treatment plan that fits your lifestyle and schedule can help your symptoms to provide better quality of life. In addition to testosterone injections, your doctor may also advise you to make lifestyle changes that can help balance your hormones. For example, they may recommend diet changes as part of your comprehensive treatment plan to help you feel better.

Foods That May Decrease Testosterone

Eating a healthy, balanced diet helps your body and mind in a variety of ways. Therefore, it should be no surprise that it can also help your low testosterone treatment. If you have low T, you may consider making changes to your diet as part of your treatment plan.

There are some foods that could lower your testosterone levels, so you should talk to your doctor about how you may be able to fine-tune your treatment plan with dietary changes.

Some of the foods that could interfere with your hormone levels are:

• Soy products
• Alcohol
• Trans-fats
• Omega-6 fatty acids

Because diet can influence your testosterone production, your doctor may recommend avoiding or limiting these foods on top of testosterone replacement therapy to optimize your health. Additionally, you may want to stay away from low-fat diet plans, as they may be linked to low testosterone levels. While certain fats can decrease testosterone in your body, polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids may improve testicular function. Therefore, you may want to discuss what you eat with your doctor when creating your low T treatment plan.

Other Factors that May Influence Low Testosterone

Other lifestyle factors can also worsen your low testosterone levels. Stress can exacerbate many conditions, including low T. Therefore, you may want to limit stress as part of your treatment plan. Each individual decompresses differently, but some stress-reducing techniques include meditation, journaling, and exercising.

Living a sedentary lifestyle can also impact testosterone production. Regular exercise may be able to support your testosterone replacement treatment. Ask your doctor if they recommend a workout regimen to help you become healthier. Exercise is not only a way to gain energy, manage your weight, and improve your overall health, but it may also assist your testosterone replacement therapy. Therefore, it’s important to talk to your doctor about what you can do alongside testosterone injections to help relieve your low T symptoms.

The Role of Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Testosterone replacement therapy is used to raise testosterone levels in your blood to a healthy range and help your low testosterone symptoms. While lifestyle changes can support your testosterone replacement therapy, they generally will not raise levels enough to bring your testosterone into a healthy range. Therefore, your doctor may recommend that you pair these changes in your routine with testosterone injections to help alleviate your symptoms and help you feel well again.

If you are experiencing symptoms of low T, a men’s health assessment can help you address them. Comprehensive assessments help our doctors diagnose the cause of your symptoms, which could be low testosterone. After diagnosis, your doctor will work with you to find a treatment plan that works for you. This may include regular testosterone injections to help ease your symptoms and help you get the most out of life.

At Low T Center, we are dedicated to men’s health and helping you feel your best. Our physicians can help you address your symptoms and customize a treatment plan that fits your way of life. For help with your symptoms, schedule an appointment for a men’s health assessment online today. We are here to provide you with quality care and help you improve your wellbeing.

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Disclaimer: This article is made available for general, entertainment and educational purposes only. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Low T Center. You should always seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.