From the Guidelines
Lifestyle modifications, such as losing weight and increasing physical activity, have the potential to increase total testosterone levels and/or reduce signs and symptoms associated with testosterone deficiency. To boost testosterone naturally, focus on regular strength training, maintaining adequate sleep (7-9 hours nightly), reducing stress, achieving a healthy body weight, and following a balanced diet rich in zinc, vitamin D, and healthy fats 1. Specific foods that may help include eggs, fatty fish, oysters, and leafy greens. For those with clinically low testosterone, medical treatments include testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in forms such as injections, daily transdermal gels, or patches. These approaches work by either supporting the body's natural testosterone production pathways or directly supplementing the hormone.
Key Considerations
- Before pursuing any testosterone-boosting strategy, especially medical treatments, consult with a healthcare provider as TRT carries potential risks including cardiovascular issues, sleep apnea, and fertility reduction 1.
- Blood tests to establish baseline testosterone levels are essential before beginning any intervention.
- High body mass index coupled with low testosterone could put the patient at risk for a cardiovascular event, and patients who are overweight or obese should be counseled regarding weight loss programs concurrent with testosterone therapy 1.
Additional Factors
- Despite decades of research, there is no compelling evidence that testosterone has a causative role in prostate cancer 1.
- Proper monitoring with measurement of PSA and digital rectal examination should promote the early diagnosis, and thus potential cure, of most “unmasked” prostate cancers identified during testosterone treatment 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Testosterone has been tested by subcutaneous injection and implantation in mice and rats. The implant induced cervical-uterine tumors in mice, which metastasized in some cases. There is suggestive evidence that injection of testosterone into some strains of female mice increases their susceptibility to hepatoma. Testosterone is also known to increase the number of tumors and decrease the degree of differentiation of chemically-induced carcinomas of the liver in rats.
The factors that can increase testosterone levels are not directly stated in the provided drug labels. However, it can be inferred that exogenous testosterone administration, such as through intramuscular injections of testosterone enanthate or testosterone cypionate, can increase testosterone levels 2, 3.
- Key points:
- Testosterone replacement therapy can increase testosterone levels.
- Exogenous testosterone administration can have various effects on the body, including changes in serum cholesterol levels and potential increased risk of certain cancers. However, the provided drug labels do not explicitly state what can increase testosterone levels.
From the Research
Factors that Can Increase Testosterone Levels
- Lifestyle modifications such as increased physical activity and weight loss in patients with obesity can help increase testosterone levels 4, 5
- Adequate sleep is also imperative for testosterone production 4
- Certain nutraceuticals and functional nutrients, including:
- Increased physical activity has been shown to have a greater effect on increasing serum testosterone levels than reduced energy intake 5
- Selective estrogen receptor modulators, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and anastrozole inhibitors can be used to treat hypogonadal symptoms while increasing intratesticular testosterone 8
- Natesto intranasal testosterone gel has been shown to increase serum testosterone levels while maintaining semen parameters 8
- Vitamin D supplementation may increase testosterone levels, although further research is needed to confirm this hypothesis 6, 7