Simply Health ME E73 - Testosterone

Simply Health ME

-----> Click here to support the podcast and keep it free! Support us via Patreon!Mini series on hormones.

Thanks to our new Patreon supporter “Drew from Liverpool, England!”.

Asked about dopamine and other hormones. We will get there!

Inverse correlation between measures of obesity and testosterone levels.

The larger the waist the lower your testosterone

Prevalence in men with type 2 diabetes is 40%

Low testosterone

Insulin resistance, increase fat mass, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, increase risk, diabetes, of heart attack

Independent risk factor for ALL cause mortality

Symptoms of low testosterone

Fatigue, depression, low libido, hair loss, low muscle mass etc.

Obesity causes low testosterone because testosterone is converted to estradiol (an estrogen) by aromatase enzymes in fat cells. More estrogen causes feminization of men. 'Moobs'. Decreased fertility

Then reduced testosterone increases adipocyte (fat cells) (vicious cycle) and decreases lean mass (worsening body composition)

Testosterone also works on something called the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis. This hormone “highway” connects your brain to your reproductive organs. Obesity acts on this highway to reduce testosterone

What to Do

Weight loss from diet, exercise, bariatric surgery sig increase testosterone levels Increase in testosterone is proportional to weight loss

Testosterone replacement (or increasing your own)

Increase lean body mass Strength Decrease fat mass and body fat Decreases waist circumference Increase lipolysis Decrease inflammatory markers Decreases triglycerides and increase HDL, decreases ApoB BUT some possible safety risk with exogenous replacement