If you’re taking hormone replacement therapy, you’ll need regular follow-up visits with a healthcare provider. If you have symptoms of low testosterone, talk to a healthcare provider. If you have signs and symptoms of low testosterone, a healthcare provider will give you a physical exam. Primary hypogonadism happens when your testicles aren’t making normal levels of testosterone. Healthcare providers consider testosterone levels below 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) as low in adults. Removing the testicles is a simple operation. You may find the removal of your testicles upsetting. You're more likely to have injections or tablets to reduce the level of testosterone in your blood. Having an orchidectomy doesn't cure prostate cancer. An operation to remove your testicles is called an orchidectomy. This decline is concerning because strong research shows a link between low testosterone and obesity, increased disease risk, and premature death. A 2021 study from Egypt demonstrated that serum testosterone levels among people who smoke were significantly lower compared with people who don't smoke. There are conflicting studies concerning the effect of smoking on testosterone levels. But another study that analyzed findings from 41 peer-reviewed reports published from 2010 to April 2020 revealed that there were no significant effects on testosterone levels caused by soy and phytoestrogens (plant-derived estrogen-like compounds). But research into the effects soy has on testosterone levels are conflicting. Unfortunately, there’ve been longstanding rumors that consuming soy can lower your testosterone levels and increase estrogen levels. If your doctor can identify the source for declining levels—for instance, weight gain or a particular medication—he or she may first address that problem. It is possible to have low levels and not experience symptoms. Prostate cancer is another concern, as testosterone can fuel its growth. Therefore, simply having low-t levels does not always call for taking extra testosterone. For instance, being overweight, having diabetes or thyroid problems, and taking certain medications, such as glucocorticoids and other steroids, can affect levels. Lack of testosterone, often nicknamed, low-t, can cause unwanted symptoms. A 2019 study involving 2,295 teenage boys and men found that impaired sleep could be linked to lower levels of testosterone. Research often highlights the dangers of long-term stress, which can elevate levels of the hormone cortisol. Additionally, increasing your testosterone to optimal levels may increase muscle mass and strength. Testosterone is a steroid hormone that the body mainly produces in the testicles and ovaries.