Introduction
Testosterone – primarily a male hormone known for male health – is essential for muscle mass, bone density, and even your general energy levels. But low Testosterone and weight gain could be something that you haven’t come across.
As we gain an insight into the contributing role of lower testosterone levels in the increase in body fat, research in recent years has documented a fall in blood testosterone levels in men after they cross 30 years of age.
Is low testosterone the reason for weight gain, or is there another reason? In this post, we will look at how testosterone and weight are connected.
We will discuss if low testosterone can cause more body fat, what signs to watch for, and what treatments are available.
Table of Contents
What is Testosterone, and What Does it All Mean?
Before we jump into how Testosterone is related to gaining weight, it’s important to have a basic understanding of what Testosterone is and what it’s used for in the body.
Testosterone is a steroid hormone primarily produced by the testes (in men) and ovaries (in women) but also by the adrenal glands in small amounts.
It has long been known as the “male hormone” but is also found in women, where it helps regulate sex drive and has also been shown to influence muscle strength and bone density.
In males, testosterone levels reach their highest level in early adulthood and decrease over time, generally decreasing after around age 30. This decline in Testosterone, commonly known as andropause or low Testosterone (low T), is linked to some of the changes in a man’s physical and mental well-being.
Why Does Testosterone Affect Weight?
Testosterone is an important hormone controlling fat distribution, muscle mass and metabolism. More Testosterone helps your body maintain lean muscle mass, which helps you keep fat at bay and burn more calories. Reduced Testosterone can reduce muscle mass, increase body fat and have a corresponding effect on weight.
This is how low Testosterone can impact weight:
Loss of Muscle Mass
Testosterone is vital to muscle growth and strength. As testosterone levels decline, muscle mass is lost, and it’s more difficult for the body to maintain muscle tissue. Because muscle burns more calories at rest than fat, a loss of muscle mass can slow your metabolism, which can make it easier to gain weight.
Increase in Body Fat
Low T is commonly associated with higher body fat, especially around the belly. Fat is stored in the body in part by the influence of Testosterone, and when Testosterone declines, fat storage in the midsection increases.
Lower Energy Levels
Low levels of Testosterone are frequently associated with fatigue and a diminished sense of well-being. This may mean less exercise and a more sedentary life, putting you at risk for weight gain.
When you’re too exhausted to work out or participate in physical activity, you’re going to gain extra weight.
Alterations of insulin sensitivity
Some research indicates that low Testosterone can impact insulin sensitivity, which affects fat storage. It is in part because Testosterone regulates the body’s ability to use insulin, and when Testosterone drops, a man is likely to experience insulin resistance, and the body will store fat rather than burn it.
Symptoms of testosterone deficiency
Decreased Testosterone may cause a number of physical and emotional symptoms, many of which can be mistaken for normal effects of ageing or perceptions due to lifestyle.
Below are some of the most common symptoms that are linked to low Testosterone:
Fatigue:
Tiredness or feeling of low energy which is out of proportion to your activity level.
Weight Pile on: Like increased fat storage, especially in the abdominal region.
Muscle Wasting – Reduction in muscle size and strength – harder to keep or build muscle.
Low Sex Drive: Reduced interest in or responsiveness to sexual activity.
Severe mood swings, Irritability, depression, or anxiety.
Insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
Low Bone Mass: Fracture and osteoporosis risk for women and men.
So, if you’re dealing with any combination of these symptoms and suspect that low T could be the cause, you’re going to need to go see a healthcare professional to get tested.
What Causes Low Testosterone?
There are a few reasons why testosterone levels may be low. Ageing is arguably the most common cause; however, there are other factors that can cause testosterone production to decrease:
Ageing
So keep in mind it’s normal for testosterone levels to naturally decrease as you get older. This is a natural part of ageing for men, but some men may undergo a more pronounced reduction that results in the symptoms of low Testosterone.
Obesity
Obesity is also a major risk factor for low T. Too much fat — especially around your abdomen — disrupts the production of hormones like Testosterone, causing them to fall lower.
Some of this Testosterone can also be converted to estrogen by the body’s adipose (fat) tissue, which can decrease testosterone levels even more.
Chronic Illness
Testosterone levels may also decrease with the chronic (active longer than 6 months) use of opiates or antipsychotic medications.
Chronic illnesses, including poor function of the testes (primary hypogonadism), diseases of the pituitary or diseases of the hypothalamus, are also common causes of low Testosterone.
These health challenges may disrupt the body’s capacity to synthesize and regulate hormones.
Medications
Some drugs, such as corticosteroids, opioids and some chemo drugs, can suppress testosterone production, resulting in low testosterone levels.
Stress:
With chronic stress, cortisol, the major stress hormone in the body, is elevated. Cortisol in high quantities, however, can block the production of Testosterone and lead to low testosterone levels.
Low Testosterone and Weight Gain Explained
Although Testosterone is not the only thing that will affect weight, a reduction of the hormone will indeed lead to weight gain.
Here’s more about how low Testosterone can directly lead to weight gain:
Increased Fat Storage
Fat Metabolism and Storage Testosterone has a direct effect on both the metabolism of and accumulation of fat. The body is more likely to store fat, particularly around the belly, when testosterone levels are low.
This visceral fat (fat that accumulates around the abdomen) links to a higher risk of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Decreased Muscle Mass
Muscle mass decreases when testosterone levels do. Losing muscle also makes it at least somewhat easier to gain weight.
Muscular density also affects your metabolism, so as your body packs on fewer pounds of muscle, it also burns fewer calories at rest, increasing the likelihood of weight gain.
Lower Metabolic Rate
A reduction in Testosterone may cause your base metabolic rate (BMR — the number of calories that you burn at rest) to decline. When your BMR is lower, your body is more efficient at saving calories as fat, which can lead to weight gain over time.
Insulin Resistance
With low testosterone levels, your body cells are unable to monitor your blood sugar as easily. From: Insulin resistance is known to have an association with Insulin resistance, which often leads to weight gain, especially around the abdomen.
Is Low Testosterone Treatable?
Yes, low Testosterone can be treated. Low T treatment typically entails hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or lifestyle adjustments to mitigate the root causes of the condition. Here are some options:
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Impotence is one of the symptoms often seen in patients with this multi-factorial metabolic syndrome, and it can lead to severe psychological implications for the affected patients.
The most frequent treatment for low Testosterone is testosterone replacement therapy. TRT can be delivered in various ways, such as injections, patches, gels or pellets.
The goal is that TRT will put a man’s Testosterone back into the normal range, relieving him of those pesky symptoms, such as weight gain, fatigue, and loss of muscle mass.
Lifestyle Changes
Certain lifestyle changes can help boost testosterone levels naturally and alleviate the symptoms of low Testosterone. Here are some lifestyle tips:
Work out: Do strength training and cardio to build muscle and increase metabolism.
Gain excess fat, particularly in the abdominal area, and lose it: Gaining weight and becoming obese can lead to a drop in testosterone levels.
Eat a healthy diet: Eat a diet full of healthy fats, lean proteins, and lots of fruits and vegetables.
Keep Stress at Bay: To keep cortisol levels in check, indulge in some stress-relieving activities such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing.
Sleep well: Get 7-8 hours of quality sleep every night to prevent testosterone reduction by poor sleep.
And there you have it!
So, in the end, there is such a thing as low Testosterone causing weight gain, especially with men getting older.
Good view: Testosterone is very important for muscle building, fat metabolism and distribution.
As your testosterone levels drop, you may lose muscle mass, gain fat, and experience a slowed-down metabolism.
If you have symptoms of low Testosterone, including weight gain, it’s important to talk to a doctor.
Low Testosterone can be treated with hormone replacement therapy or during the process of lifestyle modification, and it helps you achieve a healthier life and effectively control your weight.
Call to Action:
Weight gain, other not-linear related with sweating, low T symptoms, anyone? If you have any insights or experiences that helped you adjust to a new country, let us know in the comments, or pass it on to someone else who might benefit from it!
