This article will use the terms "male," "female," or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Testosterone levels are at their highest during adolescence and early adulthood. Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Sign up for HEALTHBeat and receive trusted health information delivered right to your inbox. This can lead to improved testosterone levels, as sleep plays a vital role in hormone regulation. Incorporating foods rich in magnesium, zinc, and vitamin D can promote quality sleep, which in turn supports optimal testosterone production. Blue light emitted from electronic devices like smartphones and computers can disrupt the body's natural sleep-wake cycle, leading to lower testosterone levels. In female adults, high levels of testosterone may be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). High levels of testosterone in female infants may lead to enlargement of their clitoris that can look almost like a penis. Excess testosterone in male children can lead to precocious (early) puberty, which is when puberty begins before the age of nine. It’s unlikely — and difficult to tell — that a male adult has higher-than-normal levels of testosterone. Excess testosterone affects your body differently depending on your sex and age. Stress and high cortisol can also increase food intake, weight gain, and the storage of harmful body fat around your organs. Some research shows that a low-fat diet could decrease testosterone levels. Additionally, constant dieting or overeating may disrupt your testosterone levels. What you eat can affect levels of testosterone as well as other hormones. Resistance training, such as weightlifting, has been shown to boost testosterone levels in the short term. According to a 2020 literature review, the effects on testosterone levels can vary based on several factors, including the type of exercise and the training intensity. However, there’s no official consensus on healthy testosterone levels. Learn more about testosterone levels by age, as well as symptoms and management tips for abnormal testosterone levels. Men can often feel a big difference when they stop therapy because their body's testosterone production has not yet recovered. At Yunique Medical, our providers take a thorough approach, measuring testosterone levels, evaluating related hormones, and assessing your overall health picture before recommending any interventions. Following a nutritious diet and healthy lifestyle using some of the tips outlined above can help optimize testosterone levels and promote overall health.