Low Testosterone
Low testosterone is everywhere, but it's not really a testosterone problem. It's a signal from your body that something is breaking how your hormones get made. Just adding testosterone without finding what went wrong creates a need for more testosterone and doesn't fix the real issue.
Low testosterone in both men and women means more than just not having enough of one hormone. It shows that something is wrong upstream in your stress system, how your thyroid works, how insulin signals, your sleep, and chemicals you are around. Signal-Based Medicine finds out why testosterone is low instead of just giving you more of it. The goal is to build a plan that helps your body make its own testosterone again. Your body knows how to make testosterone. The question is what is stopping it.
Symptoms
Feeling tired all the time.
Losing muscle.
Gaining fat.
Not wanting sex.
Trouble getting or keeping an erection.
Feeling sad or moody.
Hard to think clearly.
Your body takes longer to feel better after exercise.
Waking up at night or sleeping poorly.
Not caring much about things.
Root Causes
Testosterone is made by a chain of signals. Your brain tells your pituitary gland to send a signal. Your pituitary tells your testes or ovaries to make testosterone. Chronic stress breaks this chain at the brain. Poor sleep stops testosterone from being made, because testosterone is mostly made during deep sleep. Insulin resistance and obesity push your body toward making more estrogen instead, so there is less testosterone left. Chemicals in the environment can block where testosterone attaches to your cells. If you add testosterone without fixing these upstream problems, you will need shots for the rest of your life.
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Testing
- Total and free testosterone
- LH and FSH (is the signal reaching the glands?)
- SHBG
- Estradiol (aromatase activity)
- DUTCH hormone panel
- Cortisol rhythm
- Insulin and glucose
- VITAL Index assessment
Treatment Approach
We find out why your testosterone is low. It might be stress, sleep, insulin, toxins, or how your pituitary gland sends signals. We fix the real problem upstream. When you need testosterone added back, we give you the right amount and watch it carefully. We also look at all your other hormones to make sure everything works together.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should I just start testosterone replacement? Not without understanding WHY it's low. If the cause is sleep deprivation, insulin resistance, or stress, testosterone replacement creates dependency without fixing the problem. We find and fix the cause first, then supplement only if needed.
Can women have low testosterone?
Yes. Women need testosterone for energy, wanting sex, muscle strength, strong bones, and thinking clearly. Low testosterone in women happens a lot. Doctors often miss it.
Does testosterone replacement cause heart problems?
Right now, the science shows that testosterone replacement done the right way does not make your heart sick. It might even help your body work better. The important thing is to check on it carefully. Doctors need to watch how your body turns testosterone into estrogen and count your blood cells.
About the author
Kenton Gray is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kure Health. He writes here as an operator, not a clinician.
