Testosterone has a wide range of effects on the body, including increasing muscle mass and strength, maintaining bone density, regulating fat distribution, promoting facial and body hair growth, aiding in red blood cell production, boosting sex drive and fertility, impacting mood and quality of life, and potentially helping to maintain heart health.
Optimal testosterone levels in men offer a multitude of benefits that extend beyond the physical realm. Testosterone plays a crucial role in various aspects of a man’s well-being, impacting his body and mind. Here are some facts highlighting the benefits men can experience with optimal testosterone levels:
1. Muscle mass and strength: The presence of testosterone in the body boosts protein synthesis, leading to an increase in muscle mass and strength. This explains why individuals with higher testosterone levels typically exhibit greater muscle development.
2. Bone density: A key player in maintaining bone mineral density is testosterone. It assists in sustaining healthy bone density levels, thereby mitigating the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
3. Fat distribution: The role of testosterone extends to the regulation of fat distribution within the body. It contributes to metabolic rate maintenance and weight control.
4. Facial and body hair: Testosterone is responsible for developing facial and body hair in men. It also plays a role in balding patterns.
5. Red blood cell production: Red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body, are produced with the aid of testosterone.
6. Sex drive and fertility: Testosterone is critical to male libido (sex drive) erectile function and plays a vital role in sperm production.
7. Mood and quality of life: Testosterone levels can significantly impact emotional states and cognitive function, according to some research. Lower levels may be associated with symptoms such as depression, fatigue, and irritability.
8. Heart health: Current research is exploring the role of testosterone in heart health, with some studies suggesting its potential contribution to cardiovascular maintenance.
A Decade of Data: Unpacking the Long-Term Benefits of Testosterone Replacement Therapy
A real-world study conducted over 11 years highlights the long-term benefits of testosterone therapy. In this study, obese men with hypogonadism (low testosterone) were treated with testosterone injections, leading to weight loss and improved metabolic parameters. The study suggested that testosterone therapy could potentially be an effective alternative to bariatric (obesity) surgery.
The study collected data from a German registry of men diagnosed with functional hypogonadism, with 61% of these men being obese. Out of these, 276 men received testosterone therapy for up to 11 years, while the remaining 195 men served as controls. Throughout the study, there was 100% adherence to testosterone therapy, with no patients dropping out.
After adjusting for baseline age, waist circumference, weight, fasting glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, and quality of life scale, the study found that over the 11 years of data collection, the men in the testosterone therapy group lost an average of 23kg (from 114kg to 87 kg). In contrast, the control group’s average weight increased by 6kg. This equates to an average body weight loss of 20% in the testosterone therapy group, while the control group’s weight increased by 6%.
Furthermore, those receiving testosterone therapy saw a decrease in waist circumference by an average of 13cm, while the control group saw an increase of 7cm. Body mass index (BMI) fell by 7.6 points in the testosterone therapy group and increased by 2 points in the control group. Measurements of visceral fat, which is internal fat held centrally and surrounding organs and thought to cause increased health risks, were also lower in the testosterone therapy group.
The study also found a significant mortality difference between the two groups. In the testosterone therapy group, 21 patients (7.6%) died due to traffic and sports accidents and post-surgical infections, while in the control group, 63 patients (32.3%) died. In addition, over a quarter of men in the control group had a heart attack, and over a quarter had a stroke. In contrast, no major cardiovascular events were reported in the testosterone therapy group.
At the beginning of the study, 56.6% of the men in the testosterone therapy group and 63.6% of the controls had type 2 diabetes. However, by the end of the study, almost all (85%) of the control patients had type 2 diabetes, whereas no additional patients in the testosterone therapy group developed the condition.
Long-term testosterone therapy in hypogonadal men resulted in profound and sustained weight loss, which may have contributed to reductions in mortality and cardiovascular events. Untreated men with hypogonadism gained weight
Dr. Farid Saad, the study’s lead researcher
Key points
Long-term weight management: Over a period of 11 years, men with hypogonadism who received testosterone therapy experienced a significant reduction in weight and waist circumference, along with a decrease in body mass index (BMI) and visceral fat, compared to those who did not receive the therapy.
Reduced mortality and cardiovascular events: Testosterone therapy resulted in lower mortality rates and fewer major cardiovascular events compared to the control group. This highlights the potential long-term benefits of testosterone therapy in reducing risk factors for serious health complications.
Control of type 2 diabetes: The study also reported that while almost all control patients developed type 2 diabetes over the 11-year period, no additional patients in the testosterone therapy group developed the condition. This indicates the potential role of testosterone therapy in managing and preventing type 2 diabetes over the long term.
