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Dr. Gustav Lo’s Perspective on Testosterone & Longevity
Low Testosterone in Men: A Physician’s Perspective from Dr. Gustav Lo, MD
Since the FDA announced a couple months ago that black box warnings on estrogen replacement were being removed, there’s been a lot of focus on hormone replacement in women. It’s raised awareness dramatically. I have been doing public speaking events for years on HRT, and there’s more attendance now than ever before—and rightfully so.
Which, oddly enough, makes me think about the other half that’s still missing out: men. Unlike women, all of whom stop making crucial hormones at menopause, not all men develop testosterone deficiency. It’s only almost all.
I’m being a little un-serious to make a serious point: because men don’t have a universally acknowledged health event like menopause, we tend to ignore the very very high probability that they will eventually develop low testosterone. Since testosterone isn’t routinely monitored, it’s routinely ignored—to the detriment of men’s health and longevity.
What does low testosterone actually look like?
Low testosterone doesn’t show up as one dramatic symptom. It shows up as a slow erosion of how a man feels, functions, and performs—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Common symptoms include:
- Persistent fatigue or loss of stamina
- Loss of muscle mass and strength despite exercise
- Increased abdominal fat, slower metabolism
- Reduced libido and sexual performance
- Loss of motivation
- Poor concentration, brain fog, or memory changes
Many men chalk these changes up to stress or aging—and never realize they reflect a treatable hormone deficiency.
Benefits of restoring testosterone go beyond symptom relief
While improving energy, mood, and sexual health matters, testosterone’s role extends well beyond quality of life.
Research has consistently linked healthy testosterone levels with:
- Improved lean muscle mass and bone density
- Better insulin sensitivity and metabolism
- Better lean/fat ratio
- Lower rates of heart attacks, strokes and death from all causes in appropriately treated men
In other words, testosterone isn’t just for improving how men feel—it improves how well their bodies age.
What the Research Shows
Dr. Abraham Morgentaler, a Harvard longevity researcher, said, “If I told you of a known medication that can improve mood and performance, while reducing the risks for a host of chronic, apparently age-related conditions, and has the real potential for increasing longevity, you would jump at it. Well, there’s solid evidence for all of that with responsible TRT. Men who feel old, have decreased ‘get up and go,’ and diminished sex drive may not simply be getting old; they may be suffering from a treatable hormone deficiency.”
Morgentaler also predicted: “Within 5–10 years primary care physicians will be checking testosterone levels routinely… men will know their T levels just like they know their cholesterol.”
That interview was 18 years ago.
And yet, today, the vast majority of men still don’t know their testosterone level. Most don’t realize that after age 50, the odds strongly favor clinically low testosterone—or that low testosterone is associated not just with reduced enjoyment of life, but shortened lifespan as well.
So here’s the takeaway:
If you’re a man experiencing any of the symptoms above, don’t assume it’s “just aging.” And if you’re a woman who cares about a partner, spouse, or family member—this is a conversation worth starting. Testosterone deficiency is common, measurable, and treatable.
Ignoring it doesn’t make it benign. Addressing it can be life-changing.
At RegenCen, we approach testosterone optimization with careful evaluation, evidence-based protocols, and ongoing medical oversight — because hormone health is about more than symptoms; it’s about how well you age. Learn more about Testosterone Replacement Therapy at RegenCen.
