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Posts in Category: hormone-therapyShow All Posts »

Testosterone Therapy Can Lead to Weight Loss

Posted on February 21, 2018

In testosterone-deficient men, major weight loss was an added benefit of testosterone replacement therapy for most of the patients who participated in a new study. The results were presented at The Endocrine Society's 94th Annual Meeting.

"The substantial weight loss found in our study-an average of 36 pounds-was a surprise," said the study's lead author, Farid Saad, PhD, of Berlin-headquartered Bayer Pharma.

Although prior studies using testosterone therapy in testosterone-deficient men consistently show changes in body composition, such as increased lean mass and decreased fat mass, Saad said the net effect on weight seemed unchanged in those studies. However, Saad said their study, which took place in Germany, had a longer follow-up by at least two years and used long-acting injections of testosterone.

The investigators restored testosterone to normal levels in 255 testosterone-deficient (hypogonadal) men, whose average age was nearly 61 (range, 38 to 83 years). Treatment lasted for up to five years, with injections given at day one, after six weeks and then every 12 weeks after that. Patients did not follow a controlled diet or standard exercise program but received advice to improve their lifestyle habits.

On average, the men weighed 236 pounds before beginning testosterone treatment and 200 pounds after treatment (106.2 versus 90 kilograms), the authors reported. Weight loss was reportedly continuous, with an average reduction in body weight ranging from about 4 percent after one year of treatment to more than 13 percent after five years.

In addition, men lost an average of nearly 3.5 inches (8.8 centimeters) around their waists.

"These results are encouraging because studies show that weight loss drugs and lifestyle interventions have been largely unsuccessful, especially long term," Saad said.

Testosterone deficiency becomes more common with age. Saad said many middle-aged men with testosterone deficiency are obese, explaining that there is "a vicious circle" in obesity and low testosterone.

"Obesity is associated with reduced testosterone, and low testosterone induces weight gain," Saad wrote in the study abstract.

Testosterone replacement is the standard treatment for most men with symptomatic testosterone deficiency, according to The Endocrine Society guidelines.

In the study by Saad and colleagues, treatment used a slow-release, injectable form of the male hormone (testosterone undecanoate) that is not yet available in the United States. It is marketed in Europe, Latin America, Australia and parts of Asia and Africa.

 

Hormone Therapy and Weight Loss

Posted on February 21, 2018

Weight loss becomes much more difficult as you get older. No matter how much you diet and exercise, the scale sometimes refuses to budge. This can be extremely frustrating, but it’s important to know that it’s not your fault. Your hormones may be to blame. More specifically, a hormone imbalance may be affecting the way that your body regulates your weight

Hormones control your body functions, but naturally decline with age. Research shows that growth hormone, estrogen, and testosterone in both men and women begin to decline in the late 30s and 40s. This is followed by a drop in progesterone, DHEA, parathyroid hormone, and calcitonin. Without the right balance of hormones, your body loses the ability to regulate the processes that lead to weight loss. This results in a slower metabolism, an increase in abdominal fat, and less energy for exercise.

Fortunately, through hormone replacement therapy, you can reverse your hormone imbalance and restore your ability to lose weight by simply replenishing your body with natural hormones.  But not all hormones are created equal, so medical experts recommend selecting a hormone replacement therapy that uses bioidentical hormones rather than synthetic ones. Bioidentical hormones are preferred because they’re tailored to have the same molecular structure and biological effect as the hormones produced by your body. Research shows that bioidentical hormones may be safer and rarely cause side effects.

Once you realize how various bioidentical hormones affect the way your body regulates your weight, you can understand why you need ample amounts of them. When added to a healthy diet and proper exercise, these hormones can help you take off the weight:

  • Testosterone is produced by both men and women inhibits fat storage, especially in the abdomen. In addition, it has been found to be very brain, bone, breast and muscle protective. Low levels can cause sugar cravings and may lead to insulin resistance.
  • Estrogen has multiple functions with positive effects of the bone, skin, and vagina. Low levels have been associated with weight gain.
  • Progesterone also has multiple functions including bone and breast health as well as facilitating the conversion of stored body fat to energy.
  • DHEA is an adrenal hormone that promotes weight loss by increasing the body’s metabolism, preventing fat storage and decreasing the appetite for dietary fats.
  • Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is needed to convert body fat into muscle mass. It also inhibits the production of body fat and decreases the visceral and subcutaneous fats.
  • Insulin in addition to regulating fat metabolism, causes glucose absorption in the liver, muscles and fat tissues.

By replenishing your ideal amounts of these hormones through bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, you can balance your hormones and reverse your weight gain.

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