Fat gain and the associated increase in chronic disease risk, such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, are strongly linked to decreases in testosterone, particularly in middle-aged and older men.[1][2][3] If you gain weight (as fat), your testosterone production drops. Fortunately, if you lose weight, your testosterone production can climb back up.
Effect of weight loss on testosterone levels
Reference: Grossmann and Matsumoto. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2017.[4]
A meta-analysis of 24 RCTs looked at weight loss caused by diet or bariatric surgery.[5] In the diet studies, the average 9.8% weight loss was linked to a testosterone increase of 2.9 nmol/L (84 ng/dL). In the bariatric-surgery studies, the average 32% weight loss was linked to a testosterone increase of 8.7 nmol/L (251 ng/dL). You need not lose huge amounts of weight to see a bump in testosterone levels, either: a 5% loss in weight may increase total testosterone by 2 nmol/L (58 ng/dL).[6]
References
- ^Grossmann MLow testosterone in men with type 2 diabetes: significance and treatmentJ Clin Endocrinol Metab.(2011 Aug)
- ^Tajar A, Forti G, O'Neill TW, Lee DM, Silman AJ, Finn JD, Bartfai G, Boonen S, Casanueva FF, Giwercman A, Han TS, Kula K, Labrie F, Lean ME, Pendleton N, Punab M, Vanderschueren D, Huhtaniemi IT, Wu FC, EMAS GroupCharacteristics of secondary, primary, and compensated hypogonadism in aging men: evidence from the European Male Ageing StudyJ Clin Endocrinol Metab.(2010 Apr)
- ^Hall SA, Esche GR, Araujo AB, Travison TG, Clark RV, Williams RE, McKinlay JBCorrelates of low testosterone and symptomatic androgen deficiency in a population-based sampleJ Clin Endocrinol Metab.(2008 Oct)
- ^Grossmann M, Matsumoto AMA Perspective on Middle-Aged and Older Men With Functional Hypogonadism: Focus on Holistic ManagementJ Clin Endocrinol Metab.(2017 Mar 1)
- ^Corona G, Rastrelli G, Monami M, Saad F, Luconi M, Lucchese M, Facchiano E, Sforza A, Forti G, Mannucci E, Maggi MBody weight loss reverts obesity-associated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: a systematic review and meta-analysisEur J Endocrinol.(2013 May 2)
- ^Camacho EM, Huhtaniemi IT, O'Neill TW, Finn JD, Pye SR, Lee DM, Tajar A, Bartfai G, Boonen S, Casanueva FF, Forti G, Giwercman A, Han TS, Kula K, Keevil B, Lean ME, Pendleton N, Punab M, Vanderschueren D, Wu FC, EMAS GroupAge-associated changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular function in middle-aged and older men are modified by weight change and lifestyle factors: longitudinal results from the European Male Ageing StudyEur J Endocrinol.(2013 Feb 20)