Did you know that testosterone levels decline as the male body ages? This can start at roughly 30 years old in men, with the hormone diminishing by one percent every year. Though this seems like a minor change in the body, this hormone imbalance can strain overall wellness and relationships. 

At the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre (TFMC), testing male testosterone levels is common. Optimal amounts are needed for supporting male physical characteristics and body functions, including:

• • The production of sperm 
  • The growth of both body hair
  • Low vocals during puberty
  • Libido
  • Promoting red blood cell production
  • Muscle formation (strength and mass)
  • Bone strength and growth

The functional medicine model is applied by our clinicians, and it aims to identify the root cause of health issues. In some cases, low testosterone (low T) can surprisingly be the leading source of mood swings, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and other symptoms. 

The goal of this article is to educate you on: why this hormone reduces in the male body; the type of information functional tests can reveal; how herbs can aid hormones; and details about our Toronto-based functional clinic. 

Why do testosterone levels decline?

Everyone is born with testosterone. But in the male body, the hormone is naturally high for fostering masculine features, such as genitalia and muscle mass. 

Though testosterone amounts naturally drop in males due to aging, scientists are underlining an alarming trend: lately, countless low T diagnoses have not been paired with aging, but rather with unhealthy lifestyle factors, including sedentary living, high BMI, unbalanced diets, and chronic alcohol use. So aside from aging, this hormone can decline due to these reasons:

• • Certain health conditions (i.e. obesity, heart disease, sleep apnea, etc.)
  • Side effects from cancer treatments
  • Testicular injuries
  • Substance/smoking/alcohol overindulgence
  • Excessive exposures to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC)

If you’re struggling with unresolved health issues, consider getting your hormone balance checked by a TFMC functional medicine practitioner. This consultation may result in getting a comprehensive treatment plan drafted for your hormones. Symptoms of low T may include: 

• • Erectile dysfunction
  • Mood swings, depression, and poor focus
  • Bone and muscle loss
  • Increased amounts of body fat
  • Insomnia
  • Decline in sexual health
  • Fatigue
  • Weight gain
  • Facial/Body hair reduction

Adequate testosterone levels are needed to maximize daily function. So, if left untreated, low T can disrupt wellness in men by promoting the growth of breast tissue and changes to cognitive function; it can augment the risks for osteoporosis and heart conditions; and also reduce red blood cell count. An article from Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health also points out, “Declining levels across the lifespan may reflect, or even contribute to, chronic disease and mortality in men.” Thus, low T treatments should be contemplated for helping to prevent other health issues in the future. 

How we use functional lab tests for hormonal concerns

If we suspect that you have low T, we’d likely mention our lab services. As we adhere to integrative functional medicine principles, our tests are used as tools for individualizing the “next steps” to regulate your hormone balance.   

Some conventional tests identify disease conditions only, and may quantify limited types of biomarkers. This is not the case with functional medicine testing. Our lab services quantify numerous biomarkers to assess your risks for forming chronic conditions. Functional tests can reveal what needs to improve now in order to prevent a certain condition, such as cardiovascular disease. These lab results can prompt you to start treatments instantly before your condition worsens.

For scrutinizing low T, the TFMC offers a complete panel called the DUTCH test. This quantifies testosterone, DHEA, estrogen, cortisol, progesterone and other urine metabolites. This testing method is unique because it offers a comprehensive view of a patient’s hormone levels – which cannot be fully captured through blood or saliva testing alone.

The DUTCH dry urine test can be conducted at home. It consists of collecting dried urine samples throughout different times of the day. When it’s submitted for analysis, technicians assess your samples for sex and adrenal hormone metabolites, while taking a snapshot of cortisol patterns. Overall, DUTCH test results direct us in tailoring your treatment with different functional medicine therapies, such as nutraceuticals, hormone optimization programs, and herbal remedies. 

5 Key herbs for improving testosterone production

As an integrative clinic, we have extensive knowledge of herbal medicines. Herbs may be advised for fostering the natural increase in testosterone, along with supporting other health needs. For instance, some herbs can promote testosterone boost, as well as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects for detoxification. Some herbs may even help increase testosterone by decreasing cortisol amounts. “Since cortisol, the body’s major stress hormone, is inversely correlated with testosterone concentrations, reducing its production may elevate testosterone concentrations,” explains a review from Advances in Nutrition.

Below, we’ve listed some herbal medicine options for supporting low T:

• • Catuaba: In Brazil, this is a known aphrodisiac that indigenous tribes have used for centuries. It’s thought to boost blood flow to the genitals, helping to improve sex drive. It may work as a stimulant on the central nervous system, which may potentially reduce anxiety, weakness, and memory loss; it can support energy production without the jittery effects of caffeine. 
  • Chrysin: This is a type of bioflavonoid, which is a plant pigment with antioxidant effects. It may help increase testosterone by inhibiting the functioning of aromatase. Aromatase is an enzyme that helps convert testosterone into estrogen. “Several studies have found that bioavailability of chrysin could be boosted by the addition of an extract from black pepper, called piperine, which acts to increase flavonoid absorption in the intestine,” explains a research article from the Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Physiology. 
  • Clavo huasca (Tynanthus panurensis): This wood-like vine originated in South America and contains phenols, saponins, and flavonoids; it may also encourage anti-inflammatory effects. It’s sold in Peruvian markets to help address erectile dysfunction and impotence. It’s been suggested that clavo huasca interacts with certain neurotransmitters that help relax erectile tissue in the genitals. 
  • Nettle: Extracts from the nettle root are jam-packed with minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, amino acids, and healthy fats. It may increase free testosterone in the body. Free testosterone is an active form of the hormone found in the blood without proteins attached to it. It’s thought that nettle can block the effects of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG); when SHBG binds to testosterone, it can reduce libido in the male body. It’s been postulated that SHBG may bind to constituents from nettle rather than testosterone, which can optimize the body’s use of free testosterone.  
  • Muira puama: This is an herbal extract embraced by Amazonian tribes. “Rich in sterols … it activates the body’s receptors for hormones like testosterone to heighten libido and enhance performance,” explains a Translational Andrology and Urology article. Muira puama also contains camphor, which may be beneficial for recuperating sexual arousal.

Some of the herbs listed may or may not apply to your health condition. If you’re seeking complementary therapies for low T, consider modifying them to prevent medication interactions. A personalized approach to low T can target your unique biology – after all, we all have different genetics, medications, lifestyle practices, and such.

Now’s the time to expand your wellness horizons at the TFMC – discover natural ways to add zest into your sex life, vitality, muscle formation, promote healthy longevity through functional medicine in Toronto and more. Reach out to us today.  

Access our functional medicine therapies today

If you’ve been feeling “off” lately in the bedroom, gym, or with your general functioning, please refer to our men’s health and hormone services. Libido and stamina are vital for sustaining relationships, self-esteem, and physical exertion – we can help you recover with an integrative healthcare approach.

Our hormone optimization programs are customized with a meticulous approach to your biology. Our health team is proficient in herbal remedies, lifestyle modifications, testosterone replacement therapy for low T concerns. Due to our collaborative process, you can also take advantage of our other health services, including acupuncture, psychotherapy, conventional medicine, and more.

Adjunct IV drips are offered to patients in our IV Lounge for supporting optimal wellness. These may be prescribed for nurturing hydration, energy and nutrient levels, post exercise muscle health recovery, and more. IV therapy should not be considered as stand-alone treatments though. When combined with a regimen of healthy habits and formal health interventions, intravenous drips can contribute to overall well-being and vitality.

Let’s create a personalized hormone treatment plan for you! It’s time to reinvigorate your muscle mass, support weight loss, enhance your sex life, and more. Simply call us to reserve your session for functional medicine in our Toronto office. 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

 

References

175. Lim, P. H. (2017). Asian herbals and aphrodisiacs used for managing ED. Translational Andrology and Urology, 6(2), 167-175. https://doi.org/10.21037/tau.2017.04.04

Golan R, Scovell JM, Ramasamy R. Age-related testosterone decline is due to waning of both testicular and hypothalamic-pituitary function. Aging Male. 2015;18(3):201-4. doi: 10.3109/13685538.2015.1052392. Epub 2015 Jun 15. PMID: 26075536; PMCID: PMC4816459.

Gunnels TA, Bloomer RJ (2014) Increasing Circulating Testosterone: Impact of Herbal Dietary Supplements. J Plant Biochem Physiol 2:130. doi:10.4172/2329-9029.1000130

Jia H, Sullivan CT, McCoy SC, et al. Review of health risks of low testosterone and testosterone administration. World J Clin Cases. 2015;3(4):338-344. doi:10.12998/wjcc.v3.i4.338

Laughlin GA, Barrett-Connor E, Bergstrom J. Low serum testosterone and mortality in older men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008 Jan;93(1):68-75. doi: 10.1210/jc.2007-1792. Epub 2007 Oct 2. PMID: 17911176; PMCID: PMC2190742.

Morales L, Acero N, Galán A, Perez-García C, Alguacil LF, Muñoz-Mingarro D. Bioactive properties of Tynanthus panurensis (Bureau) Sanwith bark extract, the Amazonian “clavo huasca”. J Med Food. 2011 Sep;14(9):939-43. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2010.0171. Epub 2011 Apr 13. PMID: 21488753.

Muehlenbein, M. P., Gassen, J., Shattuck, E. C., & Sparks, C. S. (2023). Lower testosterone levels are associated with higher risk of death in men. Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health, 11(1), 30-41. https://doi.org/10.1093/emph/eoac044

Smith, S. J., Lopresti, A. L., M Teo, S. Y., & Fairchild, T. J. (2021). Examining the Effects of Herbs on Testosterone Concentrations in Men: A Systematic Review. Advances in Nutrition, 12(3), 744-765. https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmaa134

Srivatsav A, Balasubramanian A, Pathak UI, Rivera-Mirabal J, Thirumavalavan N, Hotaling JM, Lipshultz LI, Pastuszak AW. Efficacy and Safety of Common Ingredients in Aphrodisiacs Used for Erectile Dysfunction: A Review. Sex Med Rev. 2020 Jul;8(3):431-442. doi: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2020.01.001. Epub 2020 Mar 2. PMID: 32139335; PMCID: PMC7340557.

Travison TG, Araujo AB, Kupelian V, O’Donnell AB, McKinlay JB. The relative contributions of aging, health, and lifestyle factors to serum testosterone decline in men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007;92(2):549–55.

“Why Are Testosterone Levels Decreasing?” from the Cleveland Clinic, posted on September 19, 2022, viewed on May 29, 2024.