How Do You Know If You Have Low Testosterone?
Author: Dr. Kolin Durrant, Integrative Care Director, Doctor of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine
Low testosterone is one of the most overlooked concerns in men’s health. It affects energy, mood, physical performance, sexual function, and long-term wellbeing. Many men delay addressing symptoms because the changes occur gradually or are mistaken for fatigue, stress, or normal aging. While testosterone levels naturally decline over time, for many men the drop becomes significant enough to disrupt daily life, physical vitality, and emotional balance.
Understanding early signs allows men to take action sooner and explore holistic healthcare strategies that restore hormone health and support overall wellness. This is especially relevant in high-performance areas like San Diego where men are often managing demanding careers, athletic training, and chronic stressors that contribute to hormonal imbalance.
Low testosterone, also known as hypogonadism, occurs when the body no longer produces enough testosterone to support physiological function. This affects metabolism, cardiovascular health, sleep, libido, muscle tone, and mental sharpness. It can occur at any age. Holistic health practitioners frequently see men in their 20s, 30s, and 40s presenting with symptoms due to poor sleep, chronic stress, environmental toxicants, and nutritional deficiencies. Identifying these changes early creates the opportunity to restore balance using integrative therapies and sustainable lifestyle interventions.
Why Testosterone Matters for Men's Health
Testosterone regulates numerous aspects of male health, including strength, mood, cognitive function, and reproductive health. From a holistic standpoint, it is understood as a foundational hormone that impacts physical, metabolic, and emotional function. When levels begin to drop, energy declines, mood becomes less stable, and recovery after exertion becomes slower. Many men also report increased irritability, lack of motivation, and diminished physical drive.
In addition to performance and mood, testosterone plays a key role in cardiovascular function, red blood cell production, and bone density. Without adequate levels, long-term risks increase, including metabolic dysfunction, reduced bone integrity, and central weight gain. Holistic medicine focuses on identifying and addressing these risks early to preserve long-term vitality.
Science-Based Indicators of Low Testosterone
Persistent Fatigue: Even with sufficient sleep, men may feel depleted, mentally foggy, or unable to sustain focus. Testosterone influences energy production at the cellular level, so deficiency impacts stamina.
Loss of Muscle Mass and Strength: Men may notice slower recovery after workouts or decreased physical performance. Low testosterone reduces the body’s ability to build and maintain lean muscle tissue.
Increased Abdominal Fat: A common and visible sign, especially when lifestyle habits have not changed. Hormonal imbalance alters fat distribution and makes weight loss more difficult.
Lowered Libido or Sexual Performance: Many men experience decreased interest in intimacy or performance changes. These shifts are often linked to hormonal insufficiency, even when other causes are ruled out.
Irritability or Low Mood: Emotional shifts, such as increased frustration or sadness, are common. Testosterone affects serotonin and dopamine pathways that regulate mood.
Cognitive Fog: Men often describe slower thinking, memory issues, or lack of clarity. Testosterone supports brain function and focus.
Hair Thinning or Decreased Body Hair: As testosterone supports hair growth, subtle shifts in facial or body hair can indicate decline.
Poor Sleep: Because testosterone is produced during deep sleep, restless nights can disrupt hormone production and create a feedback loop that worsens imbalance.
Reduced Motivation or Ambition: Men may feel less driven or focused, both professionally and personally.
Decreased Fertility: Testosterone influences sperm production and quality. Men may struggle with fertility without realizing hormonal decline is a contributing factor.
Sources Supporting Low Testosterone Symptoms
Below are the three required scientific sources, hyperlinked and cited exactly as requested.
1. Symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency in Men
The New England Journal of Medicine documents strong associations between testosterone decline and reduced libido, energy, and strength (“Symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency in Men”).
2. Testosterone and Age-Related Changes in Body Composition
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism details the link between testosterone levels, muscle mass, fat distribution, and metabolism (“Testosterone and Age-Related Changes in Body Composition”).
3. Relationship Between Testosterone and Mood
Psychosomatic Medicine illustrates the connection between low testosterone and mood instability, fatigue, and cognitive symptoms (“Relationship Between Testosterone and Mood”).
These clinical sources confirm the wide-ranging impact of testosterone deficiency and support early evaluation as an important step toward restoring men’s health.
What Causes Testosterone to Decline?
Holistic practitioners go beyond age-based explanations and investigate multiple contributing factors:
Chronic Stress: Prolonged elevation of cortisol suppresses testosterone production
Disrupted Sleep: Insufficient or poor-quality sleep directly reduces hormone synthesis
Nutritional Deficiencies: Low levels of zinc, vitamin D, magnesium, and essential fats impair production
Excess Body Fat: Fat tissue converts testosterone into estrogen, reducing available hormone
Environmental Toxins: Pesticides, plastics, and industrial chemicals disrupt endocrine signaling
Medical Conditions: Diabetes, thyroid disorders, or medications may interfere with hormone function
Sedentary Habits: Inactivity reduces testosterone and contributes to poor physical health
Holistic Evaluation for Testosterone Imbalance
At Saffron & Sage, we assess testosterone levels using a whole-person approach. This includes:
Comprehensive hormone panels
Sleep evaluation and circadian rhythm review
Stress and nervous system analysis
Nutrient and inflammation testing
Movement and strength assessments
Emotional health review
This integrative model helps uncover the underlying patterns contributing to low testosterone, creating a foundation for sustainable treatment.
Natural Strategies for Supporting Testosterone
Strength Training: Resistance-based workouts are clinically proven to increase testosterone and improve metabolic function.
Targeted Nutrition: Adequate protein, healthy fats, minerals, and anti-inflammatory foods help support hormone production and blood sugar regulation.
Stress Reduction: Breathwork, acupuncture, somatic therapy, and mindfulness practices help regulate the nervous system and lower cortisol.
Improved Sleep: Addressing sleep hygiene and circadian timing supports nighttime hormone release.
Supplementation: Based on lab findings, a provider may recommend vitamin D, zinc, omega-3s, or adaptogenic herbs.
Detoxification and Lifestyle Optimization: Reducing exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals in plastics, food packaging, and personal care products helps restore balance.
Manual Therapy and Acupuncture: Bodywork supports circulation and hormone signaling while reducing inflammation and stress load.
When to Consider Testosterone Therapy
If hormone levels remain clinically low after lifestyle changes, medical intervention may be warranted. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), when guided and monitored by experienced practitioners, can help restore energy, libido, muscle mass, and emotional stability. Holistic providers work collaboratively with medical teams to ensure appropriate dosage, safety monitoring, and integration with lifestyle-based care.
Early Awareness Helps Protect Men's Long-Term Health
Low testosterone impacts more than sexual health. It influences sleep, cardiovascular function, cognitive clarity, emotional resilience, and metabolic strength. When identified early, imbalances can often be addressed through natural and sustainable methods. Holistic healthcare offers the tools and guidance necessary to restore vitality and protect long-term wellbeing.
Get Holistic Testosterone Support at Saffron & Sage
At Saffron & Sage, we provide comprehensive hormone evaluations, functional testing, lifestyle-based care, and natural therapies designed to support optimal testosterone levels. Whether you are experiencing fatigue, mood changes, or physical performance decline, our integrative team will guide you through a personalized plan for lasting results.
Call us at 619-933-2340 to schedule a consultation or learn more about our holistic healthcare services for men’s health.