Show Notes
Is testosterone therapy (TRT) the ultimate solution for low energy, low libido, and muscle loss?
In this podcast episode, functional medicine practitioner, Dr. Colin Renaud explains the root causes of low testosterone and when testosterone therapy is truly appropriate. You’ll learn about a personalized approach to hormone health, uncover hidden contributors to low T, and explore natural testosterone-boosting strategies that actually work.
Covering:
✅ Hormone optimization through diet, supplements, and lifestyle
✅ Signs of low T most men ignore
✅ Root causes: stress, sleep, toxins, and more
✅ How to test for hormone imbalances (the right way)
Whether you’re dealing with symptoms of low testosterone or just want to support male hormone balance, this episode blends evidence-based science with integrative health strategies for long-term vitality.
🧬 For more on functional medicine, natural hormone therapy, and biohacking, make sure to like and subscribe.
Visit our site today to book a discovery call and start using functional medicine to really regain control of your health!
Credit
Host: Cole Siefer
FAQ
1. Why do many men with low testosterone get told their levels are “normal” but still feel unwell?
Many men are told their testosterone is normal because conventional lab ranges are based on population averages rather than what supports optimal health. A level that falls within the reference range can still be too low to maintain energy, mood, libido, muscle mass, and metabolic health, which is why men often continue to feel fatigued, depressed, or run down despite being told nothing is wrong.
2. What are the most common symptoms of low testosterone in men?
Low testosterone commonly presents as chronic fatigue, reduced motivation, depressed mood, irritability, decreased libido, loss of muscle mass, increased abdominal fat, and difficulty maintaining strength or recovery, all of which can significantly impact daily functioning and long-term health.
3. Why are younger men in their 20s and 30s experiencing low testosterone more often today?
Younger men are increasingly affected by low testosterone due to chronic stress, poor sleep, insulin resistance, excess body fat, environmental toxin exposure, sedentary lifestyles, and nutritional deficiencies that disrupt hormone signaling and suppress natural testosterone production.
4. How does low testosterone contribute to weight gain and body fat changes?
Testosterone plays a major role in regulating muscle mass and metabolism, so when levels drop, the body loses lean muscle and becomes more efficient at storing fat, particularly visceral and abdominal fat, which further worsens insulin resistance and hormone imbalance.
5. What causes gynecomastia in men with low testosterone?
Gynecomastia develops when testosterone levels fall and estrogen becomes relatively dominant, leading to fat accumulation and tissue changes in the chest area, which is often a visible sign of underlying hormone imbalance and metabolic dysfunction.
6. Why does chronic stress lower testosterone levels?
Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which directly interferes with testosterone production and disrupts hormone communication at the cellular level, making long-term stress one of the most powerful suppressors of testosterone and overall hormonal balance.
7. Why doesn’t conventional medicine prioritize testosterone optimization?
Conventional healthcare focuses on disease treatment rather than longevity and optimization, so testosterone is often ignored unless levels are extremely low, leaving many men symptomatic despite being told their labs are acceptable.
8. How does a functional medicine approach to testosterone differ from standard TRT clinics?
Functional medicine evaluates testosterone in the context of lifestyle, sleep, stress, metabolic health, nutrition, and related hormones, rather than prescribing standardized doses without addressing the underlying factors that affect hormone function.
9. Why doesn’t testosterone therapy work well if lifestyle factors are ignored?
Testosterone cannot overcome poor sleep, chronic stress, inactivity, insulin resistance, or poor nutrition, and without addressing these factors, hormone therapy alone often leads to limited benefits or unwanted side effects.
10. What other lab markers should be evaluated alongside testosterone?
Markers such as estrogen balance, insulin resistance, vitamin D, thyroid function, stress hormones, and metabolic health are essential to understanding how testosterone is produced, utilized, and regulated in the body.
11. Can supplements like ashwagandha replace testosterone therapy?
Supplements such as ashwagandha may support stress management and mild hormone optimization, but they are rarely sufficient to correct clinically low testosterone, especially in men experiencing age-related decline.
12. Is estrogen always harmful for men on testosterone therapy?
Estrogen is necessary for mood, bone health, and sexual function in men, and lowering it unnecessarily can worsen symptoms, which is why estrogen levels should be monitored based on symptoms rather than suppressed automatically.
13. When does testosterone replacement become a long-term commitment?
In men with age-related testosterone decline, replacement therapy is typically ongoing because natural testosterone production continues to decrease over time despite lifestyle improvements.
14. Why are younger men often advised against starting testosterone replacement therapy?
Testosterone therapy can suppress natural production and affect fertility, so younger men who want children are often treated with alternative therapies that stimulate the body’s own testosterone production instead.
15. Who often needs testosterone therapy but does not qualify through insurance?
Middle-aged men with low-normal testosterone levels and significant symptoms are frequently denied coverage because their levels are not low enough by insurance standards, despite experiencing reduced quality of life and functional impairment.
