Low testosterone treatment options: from TRT to natural boosters

If you're struggling with symptoms like fatigue, low sex drive, or muscle loss, you may be dealing with low testosterone (Low-T). You are not alone. Low-T is common as men age, but there are several effective low testosterone treatment options that can restore your hormone levels and help you feel like yourself again.

Do you need treatment for Low-T?

Testosterone levels naturally decline with age (starting around age 30), but some men experience a more significant drop that impacts their quality of life.

A testosterone level below 300 ng/dL is generally considered low

However, not all men with low testosterone need treatment. Before recommending any treatment, your healthcare provider will consider your:

• blood test results

• symptoms 

• other health factors 

How is low testosterone treated?

There are several ways to treat low testosterone and improve symptoms. They include:

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)

TRT is the most common treatment for low testosterone. TRT gives your body the testosterone it’s no longer producing. Your healthcare provider will thoroughly evaluate if TRT is right for you. TRT is not recommended for men planning to have children or those with certain pre-existing conditions like prostate or breast cancer. 

TRT delivery options

• Injections – Testosterone is injected directly into a muscle every 1 to 2 weeks.

• Gels or Creams – Applied daily to shoulders, arms, or thighs. 

• Skin Patches – Worn on the skin and replaced every 24 hours.

• Pellets – Implanted under the skin every 3 to 6 months to slowly release testosterone

• Oral Tablets – Taken daily or attached to the gums for absorption

TRT Side Effects and Monitoring

Possible TRT side effects

• Acne or oily skin

• Tender or enlarged breast 

• Difficulty sleeping

• Swollen ankles

• Enlarged prostate (leading to urination problems)

• Smaller testicles

• Low sperm count or 

• Increased red blood cell count (thickened blood)

• Skin irritation (with gels/patches)

• Elevated PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels

Regular monitoring is key

If you begin TRT, your provider will schedule regular appointments to monitor your testosterone levels, check for any side effects, and adjust treatment as needed.

Alternatives to TRT

Some men may benefit from alternatives, especially if they want to have children.

Unlike TRT, these treatments help the body produce more testosterone on its own:

• Clomid (clomiphene citrate)

Clomid is a pill that increases luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which stimulate the testes to produce more testosterone and sperm.

• Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

hCG is a shot that helps the body make its own testosterone by increasing LH. It can be used as a standalone therapy or combined with TRT.

• Aromatase inhibitors (AIs)

Drugs like anastrozole or letrozole lower estrogen levels, which can encourage the body to make more testosterone naturally.

Low testosterone can significantly affect a man's energy, mood, sex drive, and overall health. Fortunately, there are effective low testosterone treatment options—including testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and natural hormone-boosting alternatives. The right approach depends on your testosterone levels, symptoms, and long-term goals. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment paths for Low-T is an essential step in maintaining optimal men’s hormonal health as you age.