Weight loss drugs can boost testosterone in men, study finds

[ad_1] Well-liked weight reduction drugs like Ozempic will help reverse low testosterone ranges in males with weight problems or Sort 2 diabetes, based on new analysis.

Constructing on earlier research that present weight reduction surgical procedure or life-style modifications can enhance testosterone ranges within the physique, researchers at SSM Well being St. Louis College Hospital analyzed the digital well being data of 110 males with weight problems or Sort 2 diabetes to watch modifications within the hormone whereas taking GLP-1 receptor agonists, reminiscent of semgalutide and tirzepatide.

They measured testosterone ranges earlier than taking the drugs and for 18 months after beginning the therapy. Roughly half of the boys had low to low-normal testosterone at the beginning of the research and most reached regular ranges after therapy.

“The will increase we noticed had been extra modest than what you'd usually see with testosterone substitute remedy,” mentioned lead writer Dr. Shellsea Portillo Canales, endocrinologist at SSM Well being St. Louis College Hospital, through e mail. “Nonetheless, they occurred naturally, with out testosterone substitute remedy (TRT), and sure mirror the physique recovering its regular hormone manufacturing as weight and insulin resistance improved.”

The research highlights the necessity for males already on testosterone therapies to intently monitor their ranges after beginning weight reduction drugs, Portillo mentioned.

In some instances, males might must have their testosterone complement doses lowered or discontinued, particularly if their testosterone normalizes whereas on weight reduction drugs.

There are limitations to the brand new research. The findings don’t show the rise in testosterone ranges was attributable to the medicine semaglutide or tirzepatide. It was a retrospective research, that means the researchers analyzed current medical data over time, reasonably than conducting a randomized medical trial. They usually didn’t verify testosterone ranges after the boys stopped the medicine.

“If weight is regained, testosterone ranges may doubtlessly drop once more,” Portillo mentioned.

The research findings had been introduced this Monday at ENDO 2025, the Endocrine Society’s annual assembly in San Francisco. The researchers are planning to submit it to a medical journal for peer evaluation.

Dr. Susan Spratt, professor of drugs at Duke College College of Drugs, mentioned many males are overtreated with testosterone remedy once they have ranges on the decrease regular aspect. “It could be higher to deal with weight problems or diabetes and naturally enhance testosterone than to prescribe testosterone — which has recognized dangers,” mentioned Spratt, who was not a part of the research.

Some dangers of testosterone remedy embody worsening sleep apnea, pimples, enlarging the prostate or breasts, rising development of prostate most cancers, lowering sperm counts, inflicting the testicles to shrink and rising the danger of clots, based on Mayo Clinic.

The research reveals the twin good thing about weight reduction drugs in males, mentioned Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, weight problems drugs doctor scientist at Massachusetts Basic Hospital and Harvard Medical College.

“The findings from this research spotlight an essential intersection between metabolic well being and hormonal stability,” Stanford mentioned. “This twin profit underscores the potential of those drugs to reinforce general well being outcomes, together with reproductive well being, on this inhabitants.”

Regular testosterone ranges are between 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter.

Testosterone tends to say no step by step with age, beginning across the late 30s to early 40s. By age 75, the typical male testosterone degree drops to about 65% of the typical degree seen in younger adults, Portillo mentioned.

“Bettering testosterone can improve high quality of life and probably cut back well being dangers related to low ranges,” Portillo mentioned.

Spratt mentioned it’s essential to tell apart between regular testosterone ranges that enhance however stay within the regular vary, versus low testosterone ranges that enhance to regular.

Testosterone ranges which are actually low are most regarding as a result of low testosterone can decrease bone density (which will increase the danger of fracture), cut back muscle mass, decrease hemoglobin (crimson blood cells) ranges and reduce libido, consultants say.

“Nonetheless, treating low regular testosterone and not using a recognized trigger is controversial and has elevated prior to now decade possible because of direct-to-consumer advertising,” Spratt mentioned.

The researchers solely included males within the research, as a result of they didn’t anticipate weight reduction medicine to lift testosterone ranges in ladies.

“Normally, we don’t routinely measure testosterone in ladies, until there are indicators of a hormonal imbalance, like extra facial hair (hirsutism), irregular durations, infertility or indicators of masculinization,” Portillo mentioned.

In these instances, testosterone testing will help diagnose circumstances like polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, adrenal problems or uncommon tumors.

Some research in ladies with PCOS, a situation which raises testosterone ranges, recommend GLP-1 therapies might assist barely decrease testosterone by enhancing metabolism and lowering insulin resistance.

Sure circumstances are well-known to lower testosterone in males, together with extra fats, particularly across the stomach, which interferes with hormone indicators from the mind to the testicle, consultants say.