Testosterone tablets in 2026: effects, prescription and alternatives

Testosterone tablets are available in the Netherlands by prescription only, under the brand name Andriol (active substance: testosterone undecanoate). A huisarts (GP) or endocrinologist prescribes it for a medically proven deficiency such as hypogonadism. The tablets are absorbed via the lymphatic system and are therefore milder on the liver than classic oral steroids. If you also want to support your testosterone level through nutrition and lifestyle, this article explains exactly how that works.

Medical disclaimer: the information in this article is general education and never replaces advice from a doctor or specialist. Always consult a doctor for complaints or questions about hormone therapy.

What is testosterone and why do men choose tablets?

The function of testosterone in the body

Testosterone is the main male sex hormone, produced in the testicles and in smaller amounts in the adrenal cortex. It drives a broad range of processes: building muscle mass and bone density, production of red blood cells, libido, fertility and even mood and concentration. Normal values for adult men generally fall between 10 and 35 nmol/litre of blood, though this varies by laboratory and age group.

From around age 30, testosterone production drops in most men by an average of one to two percent per year. That sounds modest, but a 50-year-old who feels noticeably tired, builds less muscle and notices a drop in libido feels this decline in daily life. The combination of ageing and a modern lifestyle with chronic stress, too little sleep and too little exercise speeds the process up considerably.

Why the tablet form is popular

Testosterone can be administered in several ways: injections, gels, patches and tablets are all available. Injections are effective but require an appointment with a healthcare provider or self-administration with needles, which many men prefer to avoid. Gels and patches stick to the skin and can transfer to partners or children through contact. Tablets simply fit into a daily routine: take with a meal, done. That convenience explains why so many men search for “testosterone tablets”. Effectiveness still depends on the right formulation, because not every oral variant is absorbed well through the gut.

Can you get testosterone in tablet form in the Netherlands?

Prescription tablets via GP or endocrinologist

In the Netherlands, testosterone is available by prescription only. You cannot buy it at a drugstore or order it from a random webshop. The route to a prescription runs via your huisarts, who orders a blood test if a deficiency is suspected. If the results point to a clinically relevant deficiency, the GP refers you to an endocrinologist or andrologist for a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan.

Buying testosterone through unreliable online channels without a prescription carries serious risks: dosing is uncontrolled, quality is doubtful and the legal consequences can be significant. On top of that, you miss the medical monitoring that is absolutely essential during hormone therapy.

Andriol and other brands in NL

The only oral testosterone preparation registered in the Netherlands is Andriol Testocaps — a capsule filled with testosterone undecanoate dissolved in oil. The active substance is absorbed via the lymphatic system, largely bypassing the liver. That is a meaningful advantage over older oral forms such as methyltestosterone, which are heavy on the liver and are no longer prescribed in the Netherlands.

Dosing is tailored to individual blood levels. Most men take two to three capsules a day with a fatty meal, spread across the day. Your doctor sets the starting dose and adjusts it after the first follow-up blood test.

When does a doctor prescribe testosterone tablets?

Signs of a testosterone deficiency

A doctor considers testosterone therapy only when symptoms combine with laboratory confirmation. Common complaints include persistent fatigue, loss of muscle mass despite regular training, reduced libido, erection problems, mood swings or depressive feelings, and increasing fat storage around the belly.

Medical indications include primary or secondary hypogonadism, where the testicles do not produce enough testosterone or the signal from the brain fails. Therapy can also be appropriate in cases of delayed puberty in boys and, in specific situations, for trans men as part of a broader hormonal treatment plan.

Which blood values matter

Blood is preferably drawn in the early morning, when testosterone is at its highest. At least two separate measurements are taken to exclude daily fluctuations. Alongside total testosterone, your doctor also looks at free testosterone, SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin), LH, FSH and sometimes prolactin. Together these values reveal the cause: is the problem in the testicles themselves or in the signalling from the pituitary?

A testosterone value below 8 to 10 nmol/litre combined with matching symptoms is considered the treatment threshold in most Dutch guidelines. Above 12 nmol/litre, medication-based hormone therapy is rarely indicated, even if someone experiences multiple symptoms.

Side effects and risks of testosterone tablets

Common side effects

Oral testosterone is usually well tolerated, but side effects do occur. The most reported are acne or oily skin, mild fluid retention, an increase in red blood cells (polycythaemia) and changes in the cholesterol profile, with LDL cholesterol potentially rising slightly and HDL cholesterol dropping. Some men experience mood swings, especially in the start-up phase when levels are not yet stable.

With Andriol Testocaps, liver damage is a smaller risk than with older oral preparations, because absorption runs via the lymphatic system and largely bypasses the liver. Even so, liver function is checked periodically through blood tests during long-term use.

Serious side effects and warning signs

Long-term testosterone use can reduce fertility, temporarily or permanently. The testicles’ own production declines when the body receives testosterone externally — a mechanism known as negative feedback suppression. This is a critical point for men with a current wish to have children.

Cardiovascular risks deserve serious attention. Testosterone can increase blood viscosity and, in people with existing heart problems, may raise the risk of thrombosis or a heart attack. Seek medical help immediately if you develop shortness of breath, chest pain, one-sided swelling in a leg or unexplained high blood pressure during use. Also review your full medication list with your doctor, because testosterone can interact with blood thinners and insulin preparations.

Nutrition that naturally supports your testosterone level

Good nutrition supports hormonal balance from the inside. That does not mean a plate of spinach doubles your testosterone, but a chronic shortage of certain micronutrients demonstrably suppresses production. Three nutrients stand out: zinc, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids. Below you can see which Dutch grocery staples to put in your basket.

Zinc from beef, cheese and pumpkin seeds

Zinc is an essential mineral for testosterone production. Even a mild subclinical deficiency is linked to measurably lower levels. A handful of pumpkin seeds a day already contributes meaningfully to your daily zinc requirement.

Zinc is absorbed best from animal sources. Vegetarians and vegans are therefore at higher risk of a deficiency and do well to pay extra attention to plant-based zinc sources such as legumes, nuts and whole grains, ideally combined with vitamin C for better absorption.

Vitamin D and omega-3 in Dutch grocery baskets

Vitamin D acts as a hormone-like substance in the body and has receptors in the testicles that are involved in testosterone production. Vitamin D deficiency is widespread in the Netherlands, especially in autumn and winter. Oily fish scores best as a food source: herring, mackerel and salmon contain meaningful amounts. Eggs and fortified dairy contribute too, in more modest quantities.

Omega-3 fatty acids from the same oily fish support a healthy testosterone profile through anti-inflammatory effects and a positive contribution to steroidogenesis. The Dutch Health Council (Gezondheidsraad) recommends oily fish twice a week. That is simple, affordable and one of the best-supported nutritional adjustments for your hormonal balance. Voedingscentrum (official)

What to leave on the shelf: alcohol and sugars

Alcohol directly suppresses testosterone production. Two or three drinks a day can already noticeably lower levels, and chronic heavy use damages the Leydig cells in the testicles — the cells responsible for testosterone production. That effect is partly irreversible with long-term use.

Added sugars and heavily processed carbohydrates promote insulin resistance and chronically raise cortisol. Cortisol and testosterone are in a direct negative physiological relationship: more of one means less of the other. Choose whole-grain products, legumes and vegetables as your carb sources instead of soft drinks, sweets and white bread. Not spectacular, but the physiological reasoning is solid and consistent in the literature.

Supplements versus tablets: what really works?

Herbal and zinc supplements

The market for over-the-counter testosterone boosters is huge. Brands like Lucovitaal, Holland & Barrett and countless webshops sell products with ashwagandha, tribulus terrestris, maca, D-aspartic acid and zinc. The question is whether they actually work.

For ashwagandha there is reasonable scientific evidence that it lowers cortisol levels and thereby indirectly supports testosterone to some extent. The effects are modest but consistent across multiple randomised studies. Zinc as a supplement has a demonstrable effect in people with an existing deficiency, but if you already get enough zinc from your diet, extra supplementation barely helps. Tribulus terrestris and maca score disappointingly in well-designed clinical studies on direct testosterone elevation.

When a supplement makes sense, and when it doesn’t

A supplement adds value if you have a proven deficiency of a specific nutrient, your diet is structurally lacking, or your eating pattern is limited by an allergy or personal philosophy. In all other cases, extra supplementation rarely adds anything to already well-stocked stores.

If in doubt, have your zinc and vitamin D status measured via blood tests first. That way you invest precisely instead of supplementing broadly without evidence. And remember: over-the-counter supplements never replace medical testosterone tablets for a clinically confirmed deficiency.

Strength training and lifestyle: the Gymsearch perspective

Strength training versus cardio for testosterone

Gymsearch compared gyms in gyms Amsterdam, gyms in Rotterdam, Utrecht, gyms in The Hague and Eindhoven on strength training facilities and saw a clear pattern: gyms with a full free-weight offering — including squat racks, barbells and deadlift platforms — are more often rated as results-focused for strength and hormonal goals by men over 30.

That is no coincidence. Multiple studies show that heavy compound exercises like squats, deadlifts and bench press produce a larger acute testosterone response than steady-state cardio. That does not mean running is bad: moderate endurance training improves insulin sensitivity and thereby indirectly supports hormonal balance. But if you want to structurally stimulate testosterone, progressive overload with free weights is the most effective training intervention. Find a gym with the right facilities through our gym comparison.

Sleep, stress and recovery

Testosterone is largely produced during deep sleep stages. Anyone who structurally sleeps less than six hours per night has measurably lower testosterone levels than someone who sleeps seven to nine hours — an effect that appears after just one week of sleep deprivation. Sleep is therefore one of the cheapest and most effective hormonal interventions available to you.

Chronic stress raises cortisol, and cortisol and testosterone are in a direct negative relationship. Meditation, regular walks, a fixed sleep routine and consciously managing your schedule are not soft skills but concrete physiological interventions.

A healthy lifestyle of targeted strength training, enough sleep, stress management and thoughtful nutrition forms the strongest foundation for stable testosterone in the long term. Medical testosterone tablets have their indispensable place for a clinically confirmed deficiency, but the foundation is laid by you, every day.