The connection between testosterone levels and overall well-being appears to be much weaker than is often assumed. While testosterone does have clear roles in the body, having higher levels does not automatically translate into better health or improved mood, according to research highlighted in a thesis from the University of Gothenburg.
In recent years, interest in testosterone has grown significantly. Many men seek medical help for symptoms such as fatigue, low mood, or reduced energy, often assuming these issues are caused by low testosterone levels. However, research suggests the relationship is more complex than this simple explanation.
To better understand how testosterone relates to health, researchers analysed large population studies from both the United States and Sweden. The focus was on muscle health, internal biological processes, and identifying which symptoms in men may actually be linked to testosterone levels.
According to physician and researcher Amar Osmancevic, the clearest associations between testosterone and health are found in sexual function. This includes sexual desire, erectile function, and performance. Some links were also observed with muscle and joint discomfort, although even these associations were weaker than expected in men with normal testosterone levels.
Testosterone, Muscle Health, and Inflammation
There is a clearer relationship between testosterone and muscle composition. Higher testosterone levels are associated with greater muscle mass and, importantly, lower levels of fat within the muscle tissue.
This effect is particularly noticeable in areas such as the abdomen, lower back, hips, and chest, where intramuscular fat tends to accumulate more easily.
Muscle health is not only about size or strength. It also reflects metabolic quality and long-term health. Maintaining balanced hormone levels may help prevent muscle loss and reduce fat infiltration in muscle tissue, which is important for both metabolism and healthy ageing.
Interestingly, the research also found links between muscle mass and estradiol, a form of oestrogen that is present in men in small amounts. In addition, higher intramuscular fat was associated with proteins that transport sex hormones in the blood.
Low testosterone levels were also linked with higher levels of chronic, low-grade inflammation. This is not the kind of inflammation seen with infections, but rather a long-term biological process that can affect overall health.
Maintaining good overall health and reducing inflammation may therefore be just as important for hormone balance as attempting to increase testosterone levels directly.
Fatigue, Mood, and Testosterone
One of the most important findings from the research is that symptoms such as fatigue and depression are not strongly linked to low testosterone levels in most men.
Instead, these symptoms are more likely influenced by other factors such as age, lifestyle, existing health conditions, and abdominal fat levels.
According to Osmancevic, focusing too narrowly on testosterone results can be misleading.
Symptoms like tiredness or low mood are often driven more by broader health and lifestyle factors than by baseline testosterone levels alone. In particular, abdominal fat and ageing appear to be stronger predictors of future symptoms.
Key Takeaways
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The link between testosterone and general well-being is weaker than commonly believed
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Strongest connections are seen in sexual function and, to a lesser extent, muscle health
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Testosterone is associated with muscle quality and inflammation, not just energy or mood
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Fatigue and depression are more strongly influenced by lifestyle, age, and overall health
Source
Thesis: Testosterone Levels in Men: Associations with Inflammation, Muscle Composition, and Hypogonadal Symptoms – Community-Based Studies
https://hdl.handle.net/2077/90233
