So last time I had my bloodwork done, I asked my doctor to check my free testosterone count. She asked if I was having any issues in that area because she wanted to understand what was prompting the request. I told her that while I do not have as active a personal life as I did when I was younger and single, things are generally functioning well. There have been a few occasions where things did not perform as expected, but that happened even in my younger years. Then again, I never had my testosterone tested back then, so it is possible it has been on the lower end all along.

I explained that I am getting older and wanted to be proactive about keeping my testosterone at a healthy level. She ran the test, and it came back low. She told me my instincts were good and that my levels were slightly below where they should be for someone my age. She asked if I had any interest in testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). I declined because I would prefer to avoid the potential side effects, particularly the impact TRT can have on the body’s natural hormone production. Once you start, it tends to be a long term commitment, and I want to exhaust natural options first.

I have been working out consistently, and reducing belly fat has been a challenge. This is likely due to a combination of factors including body type, age, metabolism, the medications I take, and low testosterone. Progress has been gradual, but it is happening. I have started incorporating Brazil nuts and macadamia nuts into my diet, which are believed to support testosterone levels. I have also increased my intake of cruciferous vegetables, which may help manage excess estrogen. On top of that, I have ramped up my heavy strength training and HIIT workouts, both of which are known to support natural testosterone production.

I plan to return to my doctor soon for a follow up testosterone test to see if these changes have made a difference. I want to hold off on replacement therapy as long as possible due to the side effects and the fact that it can suppress the body’s own production over time. There are public figures who advocate for using TRT responsibly, maintaining levels within an optimal range rather than exceeding it. The challenge for most people is that doing it properly under medical supervision comes with a cost that is not always easy to manage. I am exploring my options and committed to doing as much as I can naturally first. Time will tell how things progress.