Low testosterone can creep in quietly–leaving you tired, unmotivated, and not quite yourself. So when is it time to take action, and should you try testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)? We sat down with Dr. Pedro Gonzalez, men’s health and hormone specialist, to talk about what “balancing” testosterone really means, how lifestyle plays a role, and what you should know before starting TRT.
Meet Dr. Pedro Gonzalez
Dr. Gonzalez is a dual-trained physician on the Thrive Medical Advisory Board who bridges conventional rehabilitation medicine with cutting-edge functional and cellular medicine.
How do you define “balanced” testosterone—and what are the risks of overcorrecting or undercorrecting levels?
Balanced testosterone means you have enough of the hormone for your body to function well—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Not every man thrives at the same number, because we all have different sensitivity to testosterone at the receptor level. Undercorrecting testosterone means symptoms stick around: low energy, poor sleep, belly fat, weak motivation, erectile issues, and a lack of drive in life. Overcorrecting pushes levels too high and can lead to thick blood, mood swings, acne, fluid retention, and worsened sleep apnea. It can also hurt fertility and lead to unnecessary side effects.
Are there common habits that silently sabotage testosterone levels in patients?
Poor sleep, too much alcohol, low protein diets, high stress, and lack of resistance training all work against you. Even chronic cardio or under-eating can tank your levels. Fat tissue—especially around the belly—converts testosterone into estrogen. Therefore more fat, more conversion. Lifting weights is a great solution to this; it’s one of the best natural ways to boost testosterone.
Plastics, fragrances, and certain household chemicals can also disrupt hormone signaling. We don’t have to be perfect, but minimizing exposure to things like BPA, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances helps protect long-term hormonal health.
How does someone know when it’s time to get their testosterone levels checked?
If you’ve started wondering whether you should get your testosterone levels checked—then that’s already a sign that you probably should. Low testosterone doesn’t always show up like a headline symptom. It’s usually more subtle: tired even after sleep, workouts not giving results, mood feeling flat. What’s really happening is that your hormones could be drifting out of balance—and because the decline is gradual, it’s easy to miss. The earlier you identify a drop, the easier it is to turn things around—naturally or with medical support.”
Can testosterone levels be improved naturally before turning to medication, or do both need to work in tandem?
There’s no question that lifting weights, sleeping well, eating clean, reducing stress, and minimizing alcohol can all help your testosterone levels. But some men have underlying hypogonadism or chronic symptoms that lifestyle alone can’t fix.
With that being said, lifestyle still matters. A healthy foundation helps you respond better, keep your (TRT) dose lower, and stay stable long-term. Natural strategies and medical treatment are meant to support each other, rather than cancel each other out.
What’s the danger of waiting too long to address low testosterone?
When symptoms are severe—fatigue, low motivation, loss of drive, performance issues in the bedroom, or disconnection from your partner—waiting months for natural methods to maybe work isn’t always the right move. If a man’s quality of life, relationships, or ability to function is being impacted, we need to act.
How do you approach treatment when it’s time to start TRT?
The key is that testosterone therapy should never be cookie-cutter. One guy might feel amazing on a dose that leaves another feeling overstimulated or flat. That’s why we don’t treat numbers—we treat people. We monitor, adjust, and fine-tune your dose until your energy, focus, strength, and mood all line up. That’s something we can’t predict or control with natural methods alone.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.