Testosterone Replacement Promotes Weight Loss

Testosterone replacement may promote weight loss in obese older men who have low levels of the male sex hormone, a new study shows.

Researchers followed a group of mostly older, overweight men receiving injections of the hormone for up to five years to treat erectile dysfunction and other symptoms associated with low testosterone.

Their findings were presented at the 19th European Congress on Obesity in Lyon, France.

The men who were treated the longest lost more than 30 pounds on average over the course of the study, and also showed improvements in blood pressure, blood glucose, and LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Researcher Farid Saad, DVM, says the dramatic weight loss came as a surprise.

“This study was not performed for the purpose of promoting weight loss,” he told WebMD. “This was an incidental finding that was entirely unexpected.”

Low Testosterone Common in Obese Men

The study included middle-aged and older overweight or obese men with low testosterone levels being treated with testosterone replacement at a single urology clinic.

A total of 214 men remained in the study for at least two years, and just over half of these men were followed for another three years or more.

All the study participants received a long-acting injected testosterone, with two injections given during the first six weeks of treatment followed by injections every three months as long as they remained in the study.

Men who were treated the longest lost the most weight and saw the most significant reductions in waist circumference and body mass index (BMI).

After five years of follow-up, the average weight loss was 35 pounds and the average waist circumference dropped from about 42 to 38 inches. Most men also saw improvements in triglyceride levels, blood pressure, blood sugar, and LDL cholesterol.

Saad is a researcher with Bayer Pharma AG, of Berlin, Germany. Bayer manufacturers the long-acting testosterone treatment method the men received, which has not been approved for use in the U.S.

However at Midwest Rejuvenation we have greater success with many readily available shorter acting forms go testosterone or with beta HCG to increase testosterone levels.

Mid West Rejuvenation Anti-Aging Center is your expert source for restored appearance and vitality. Our combination of state of the art anti-aging medical programs and medical weight loss will get you feeling your best and functioning at your optimal levels.