Ways to increase testosterone levels

Testosterone is a sex hormone that is inextricably linked to men's health. Testosterone levels influence not only libido and potency, but also muscles, bones, and even a man's psyche.

There are many different ways to increase testosterone, but not every method is suitable for every man – and some methods are generally not recommended. In this text, you'll learn everything you need to know if you want to increase your testosterone and boost your male vitality:

• Injections, tablets or gel – we explain when substitution therapy is necessary and compare all testosterone preparations
• Side effects and long-term risks of testosterone
• Lifestyle and supplements – we explain how you can naturally increase your testosterone

Synthetic testosterone: benefits and risks of medical replacement therapy

If the human body doesn't produce enough testosterone, a doctor can prescribe a synthetic testosterone preparation as a substitute. Our introductory text explains what the normal testosterone level should be in men, when a testosterone deficiency requires treatment, and what symptoms may indicate such a deficiency.

Treatment with synthetic testosterone is called testosterone replacement therapy because it replaces or substitutes the body's missing hormone with a synthetic preparation . The doctor can choose between various dosage forms (injection, tablet, or gel) and testosterone derivatives.

However, undesirable side effects can occur when administering synthetic testosterone. Testosterone replacement therapy should therefore only be performed after clarifying possible contraindications and under regular medical supervision to minimize health risks. If there are concerning changes in prostate or blood values, the therapy must be adjusted accordingly. A dosage adjustment may also be necessary if unsightly side effects such as acne and gynecomastia (enlarged breasts) occur. ¹

Testosterone injections: effects and possible risks

Testosterone injections for intramuscular use have been in use since the 1950s. Because pure testosterone has a very short half-life, testosterone derivatives are used. However, older formulations such as testosterone cypionate (TC) or testosterone enanthate (TE) cause relatively large fluctuations in blood concentrations, which are most easily tolerated with weekly injections.

Otherwise, these preparations are increasingly being replaced by testosterone undecanoate (TU), which allows for longer injection cycles and can effectively increase testosterone. However, due to the larger injection volume, in addition to the general risks of replacement therapy mentioned above , pulmonary oil microembolism can occur in rare cases. Therefore, the injections may only be administered by trained personnel and require subsequent patient monitoring. ²

Testosterone tablets: Despite their ease of use, they should be used with caution

Testosterone tablets or capsules are significantly more convenient for patients than injections. However, oral administration of pure testosterone has not proven effective : While the hormone is readily absorbed in the intestines, it is then "intercepted" by the liver before reaching its intended target. Therefore, extremely high doses of testosterone tablets or capsules would be required to measurably affect blood levels. This would be uneconomical, and such high doses of testosterone could pose long-term risks.

The dosage problem can be circumvented with testosterone derivatives. However, common formulations such as methyltestosterone or fluoxymesterone can, in addition to the standard risks of testosterone replacement therapy, place a strain on the liver . Considering the side effects, oral testosterone currently appears to be the better option if an oral testosterone booster is desired. A possible negative effect on body composition (lean body mass vs. fat mass), lipid profile, and blood values ​​has not yet been conclusively clarified. ³

Testosterone gel: Practical, but not suitable for everyone

Testosterone gel has been available in various formulations since the early 2000s. These gels are easy to apply to the skin and cause less skin irritation than the previously common testosterone patches. Extensive blood tests show that daily application of the gel can effectively increase testosterone and achieve more stable serum levels than testosterone injections.

However, careful patient training and daily discipline are required: After applying the testosterone gel, hands must be washed thoroughly to avoid unwanted transfer of the hormone preparation to other people. This caution is especially important with children: The two-year-old (!) son of a bodybuilder achieved sad medical notoriety when he absorbed so much testosterone gel through skin-to-skin contact with his father and his training equipment that he developed age-inappropriate penis growth (precocious puberty).

An interesting alternative, available since 2014, is testosterone gel for nasal application . Absorption through the nasal mucosa is effective, but—in addition to the standard risks associated with synthetic testosterone—side effects can occur, particularly nosebleeds and scabbing, headaches, and respiratory infections. ⁴

Buy testosterone without a prescription: risks and legal aspects

Due to the health risks mentioned above, preparations containing testosterone are generally prescription- only in Germany and may only be taken under medical supervision.

Doctors who issue prescriptions without a testosterone deficiency requiring treatment—for example, for illegal doping in bodybuilding—may face criminal prosecution. ⁵

No pharmacy in Germany is allowed to sell testosterone without a prescription . ⁶ While there are online pharmacies that advertise this very thing—a quick "doctor's consultation" via chat and the desired medication arrives by mail ⁷ —caution is advised here:

• You should never underestimate the risks of testosterone, even if the supplier actually offers impeccable quality products. Without expert medical care, you risk recognizing dangerous side effects too late. It becomes significantly more dangerous if you receive contaminated, improperly dosed, or completely counterfeit medications, as the health consequences are difficult to predict .
• Mail from abroad undergoes regular customs inspections and is also checked for illegal medications or doping substances such as testosterone boosters. For larger quantities, not only the sale but also the possession is punishable – and as the recipient of such a shipment, you risk criminal proceedings. ⁸

In short: In the interest of your health, you should not take any testosterone supplements without medical diagnosis and supervision, especially if they come from dubious online retailers.

Home remedies to increase testosterone: These natural alternatives are available

If you want to increase your testosterone and thus your male vitality, it's worth focusing on your body's own testosterone production. Did you know that there are several ways to optimize your hormone balance naturally – without the risks of synthetic testosterone?

These tried and tested home remedies require some patience and discipline, but both are worth it: testosterone levels influence almost all aspects of men's health: libido and potency ⁹ , muscle strength ¹⁰ and also your general energy level ¹¹ .

Through a:

• optimized nutrient supply,
• sports training and
• sufficient recovery phases and effective stress management

You can optimally and, above all, naturally support your body in testosterone production . You can read more about this in our guide article.

Active Men - the natural alternative to support your testosterone levels

Speaking of nutrient intake: If you want to increase your testosterone, you should pay particular attention to an adequate supply of zinc and vitamin D:

• Zinc is important for maintaining normal testosterone levels in the blood.
• Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal muscle function. And if you want to increase your testosterone, regular muscle training is a good way to boost your body's hormone production (within your individual capabilities). ¹²

You can easily supplement your diet with supplements specially formulated for men: serotalin® ACTIVE MEN provides you with a healthy mix of vitamins and minerals for men, including 5 mg zinc and 25 μg vitamin D per daily dose (2 capsules) .

Our insider tip for men who want to support their testosterone naturally: serotalin® ACTIVE MEN contains valuable extracts of the natural superfoods shilajit, tribulus, and maca. Developed, manufactured, and laboratory-tested in Germany with premium quality.

The major advantage of natural approaches over synthetic testosterone: This natural supplement requires no medical supervision, as it has no unwanted side effects. The capsule form makes serotalin® ACTIVE MEN easy to dose and convenient to take.

With Active Men on the sustainable path to more testosterone

In summary, synthetic preparations such as testosterone injections, tablets, and gels can, of course, achieve a significant increase in testosterone levels. However, not all men need medical testosterone replacement therapy—and given the long-term health risks of testosterone, self-treatment without medical supervision is discouraged. This is all the more true given that the quality of products available without a regular prescription is not guaranteed.

If you're looking for a healthy and sustainable way to increase your testosterone, you should first boost your body's own hormone production: With exercise and an optimized diet, you can achieve good results in the medium term. ¹³ Supplements specially formulated for men's health, such as serotalin® ACTIVE MEN, support you with a sophisticated blend of vitamins, minerals, and plant-based superfoods.

Scientific sources