Increased lipid production may reduce the amount of SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin) protein in the blood. Approximately one out of four sexually active women in the United States uses some form of hormonal contraceptive method. Age-related changes in androgen levels commonly occur in women in their late 30s and 40s and post-menopausally. Additional symptoms may include muscle weakness, low mood, and changes in body composition. This holistic perspective considers lifestyle, nutrition, stress, gut health, and environmental factors to restore optimal testosterone levels naturally. From a functional medicine perspective, low testosterone levels or a testosterone deficiency diagnosis may be markers for the presence of an underlying physiological imbalance. In the following video, IFM educator Mark Holthouse, MD, FAAFP, IFMCP, discusses the functional medicine approach to optimizing testosterone levels naturally. Maintaining healthy testosterone levels becomes of greater concern as men age. A holistic functional/integrative medicine approach, guided by appropriate lab analysis and provided by a well-trained specialist, can help identify and address the root causes of hormonal imbalances. Moreover, EDCs, especially in pesticides, can affect the concentration of hormones by influencing their synthesis, transport, metabolism, and elimination. These chemicals may influence steroid hormone synthesis by interfering with natural hormone production. SHBG plays a crucial role in controlling the amount of testosterone and estrogen available throughout the body. Dr. Khan and his experienced team are at your service, ready to help you make life-changing strides toward your health and wellness goals. A holistic doctor provides guidance on natural testosterone balancing based on the patient’s unique needs and root causes uncovered. Blood samples are ideally drawn in the early morning when levels peak. Lab testing is needed to confirm imbalance. Testosterone plays many crucial roles in the bodies of both men and women. Taking a holistic approach allows for getting to the root causes and finding natural solutions when possible. Join our mailing list to receive important health tips, exclusive event invitations, and special offers from Serenity Health Care Center! Your hormone production depends heavily on proper nutrition. Each method has its own benefits based on your lifestyle and health goals. This personalized approach will give you exactly what your body needs—no more, no less. We develop custom-formulated testosterone preparations based on your specific hormonal profile. This similarity leads to fewer side effects and better results for men with low testosterone symptoms. Testosterone levels should be regularly monitored throughout the treatment process. Regular physical activity, particularly resistance training and high-intensity interval training, can stimulate natural testosterone production. Men over 40 may also experience more severe versions of these symptoms, along with sleep disturbances and memory issues. Common symptoms include reduced sexual function, increased body fat, decreased muscle mass, mood swings, chronic fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms respond well to integrative medicine approaches. Management of low female testosterone is complex and lends itself to a functional medicine approach. A 2021 study aimed to investigate the effect of zinc supplementation on testosterone levels and sexual function in postmenopausal women. If you don’t absorb fat well or eat enough healthy fat in your diet, making the proper amount of hormones may be challenging. SHBG is a protein primarily produced in the liver that binds to sex hormones testosterone and estrogen throughout the body and controls the amount in circulation. In a meta-analysis of 29 studies, statins in their cholesterol-lowering function were shown to influence testosterone levels in both men and women. When women undergo bilateral oophorectomy (removal of ovaries), their serum testosterone levels may decrease significantly.