If you are looking to find out if low testosterone can cause fatigue here is the answer…
Yes, it does! And this article is going to explain why it does and what you can do about it.
To better understand all the variables that govern the dynamics of testosterone and associated unwelcome symptoms, you need to have a basic knowledge of widely concurred upon facts about testosterone and its role in the body.
The Essentials In The Question of Low T and Fatigue
1. Testosterone and Sex Drive
Testosterone has always been linked to a healthy sex drive in men. It has a vital role in the processes that regulate libido, initiate erections, and produce the liquid that sperm swims in. A low T level directly correlates with a reduced quality of sex life for men.
2. Testosterone And Muscle Mass
A major role of this hormone is to give men, their manliness! Testosterone is produced and consumed in considerably higher amounts compared to females – and contributes directly to strength and muscle development in males.
3. Testosterone And Bone Mass
A lesser-known fact about testosterone is its role in strengthening bones. In fact, Joseph Ellen, from the Albany Medical Center in New York says that men with low testosterone have a much higher risk of osteoporosis.
4.Testosterone And Body Fat
Normal testosterone levels regulate the amount of body fat. Low T levels can cause belly fat and “man boobs”. However, increasing testosterone levels actually revs up the metabolism which helps to burn more calories.
Why is the above information relevant when it comes to low testosterone and fatigue?
Because it shows how closely tied testosterone levels are with an overall bigger picture of a man’s health – which in turn, even intuitively, guides us to appreciate how a lack of testosterone can be associated with fatigue.
Think about it, a lack of testosterone which is enough to destroy libido, kill erections, decrease muscle mass, reduce strength, make bones weaker, and make you fatter; doesn’t quite seem like a recipe for a non-fatigued, energetic individual, does it?
And that is the very reason it comes as no surprise that low T levels are associated with fatigue and a number of other ailments.
While the research is ongoing regarding how exactly testosterone levels are related to symptoms of depression, mood swings, irritability, fatigue, anxiety, and sexual health, one thing is more evident than ever: low T levels and these symptoms often occur together.
The gaps that scientists are trying to fill pertain to finding out when low T is a cause, and when it is a symptom of these ailments.
That said it is imperative we stay away from the intuition, common sense, and observational knowledge for a moment, and mention the research that HAS arrived at solid conclusions about testosterone and fatigue.
Studies That Backs Up Claims Of Low T Causing Fatigue
1. Depression, Fatigue, And Testosterone
The symptoms attributed to clinical depression, often have a lot in common with low T symptoms as well. Dr. Molly M Shores conducted a study in 2004 which concluded that men with low T levels were four times more likely to develop clinical depression, and clinical depression causes incapacitating fatigue.
Furthermore, a study in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, found that in treating symptoms of depression, testosterone was superior to tested popular alternatives when it came to dealing with fatigue.
2. Chronic Fatigue As A Direct Consequence Of Low T Levels
There is also mounting evidence being presented by veterans of testosterone research and hormone replacement therapy physicians which is strengthening the direct link between fatigue and low T levels.
Such as this article in which Dr. Abraham Morgentaler relates how his low T patients more than often report symptoms that are non-sexual in nature and mostly involve chronic fatigue.
3. Low Testosterone and Mortality Risk
A rather indirect link, but an honorable mention in this list, is the relationship established by research between an increased risk of death and low testosterone levels.
Here the intuition goes hand in hand with the science, if low T has such a direct influence on health, it is not a far cry to assume a lack of energy and drive being associated with it as well. While indirect, it is interesting food for thought.
Now that I have your attention regarding how bad things can be in terms of fatigue when your testosterone levels are whacked, let’s now get into what you can do with low testosterone levels.
First things first.
You should check if you have low T levels. Any decent lab would do this for you based on a simple blood test. You should especially get checked if you have been experiencing low libido, lethargy, fatigue, and a lack of motivation. To read an article about how to check if your testosterone levels are low click here.
Testosterone levels do go down with age, but with the right lifestyle and some good choices, we can maintain our T levels as we age.
If you find you DO have low T levels, the following are your options:
1. Get Your 8 Hours Of Solid Sleep
Overall health matters a lot if you want to increase testosterone and sleep is pivotal. Have a routine. And do not compromise on your natural appetite for sleep. There are three important areas to pay attention to when it comes to boosting testosterone levels.
These three areas are sleep, exercise, and diet. Although each area is important, it’s when we sleep that the body starts to produce large amounts of testosterone and human growth hormone.
There have been numerous studies like this one that show that the better quality sleep you get, the more testosterone your body produces. A great way to get deep sleep is to use the herb ashwagandha which has been shown to improve sleep quality.
2. Get Your Diet Straightened Out
Go organic to lower your intake of endocrine-disruptors. Have a schedule for eating, which according to Dr. Shagufta Feroz of SLMP, is essential in training your liver and digestive tract to expect food at a certain time and be efficient in extracting nutrients from it.
Extracting more nutrients from the food we eat will help to boost testosterone levels in the body. Proper nutrition helps blood pH stay at normal levels, and regulates normal levels of testosterone as well as boosting health.
Also, make sure you are including some powerful T-boosting foods like oysters, eggs, garlic, nuts, fish, and spinach into your diet every day. These foods give the body the raw materials it needs to start manufacturing testosterone.
3. Go Stress-Less
Not easy, but it is very important to reduce stress if we want to keep testosterone levels high. If you have some problems that are causing you stress then try to find ways to change the situation or skillful ways to manage and reduce the stress.
High-stress levels result in high cortisol levels, which in turn wreak havoc on T levels. One of the best ways to keep cortisol levels low is to practice meditation.
To read my article explaining how meditation can increase testosterone click here
4. Boost Testosterone With Exercise
An active lifestyle is necessary if you want to have optimal testosterone levels. The best types of exercise for boosting testosterone are sprinting and lifting weights.
A good way to get going with a sprinting routine is to first warm up with some light jogging to get your muscles warmed up before you start.
Then..
Sprint all out for around 15 to 20 seconds and then recover for 1 to 2 minutes. Repeat this for 3 intervals and each week add an extra interval until you work up to a maximum of 8 intervals.
To boost testosterone by lifting weights you need to include compound exercises into your routine like bench press, squats, deadlifts, and dips. Just make sure you don’t overtrain and increase cortisol levels in the body.
5. Make Sure Your Adrenal Glands Work Optimally
These little guys on top of your kidneys may seem insignificant, but they are the masters of regulating hormones. Overtraining and excessive cardio are two of the reasons why your adrenal glands may be stressed – resulting in low T levels.
When the adrenal glands are working optimally your hormones will be in balance. And the best way to improve the health of the adrenal glands is to use an adaptogen herb like ashwagandha that can help lower cortisol levels.
The Dangers of Testosterone Therapy
There is one standout player when men want to boost T levels fast and that is Testosterone Therapy. What that basically means, is artificially raising your T levels.
There are a number of testosterone replacement therapies that aim to replenish T levels, but they do come with side effects. These side effects can be totally avoided by choosing to naturally boost testosterone instead.
One of the biggest reasons to avoid such therapies despite their positive results is the fact that over time your testicles begin to stop doing the work they should do because the testosterone therapy is doing the work for them.
This can lead to the testicles producing even less testosterone than they were already producing, and you may be dependent on the therapy forever.
There you have it, an important overview of exactly why low T levels are a thing to watch out for, especially if you are experiencing fatigue, and how you should go about fixing it.
There is clearly a link between low testosterone and fatigue. But the good news is that by naturally boosting testosterone you will experience the complete opposite of fatigue which is vitality and motivation.
Always remember that being healthy overall, in mind and body, is the best way to raise your energy and avoid fatigue.
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