As both a medical weight loss clinic and a hormone therapy clinic, one question we often hear is “Can testosterone therapy help me lose weight?”
While the short answer is “yes”, there are some important nuances we need to cover. After all, the goal with testosterone replacement therapy is not just to help patients lose weight—the goal is to help patients feel more energetic, confident, and healthier overall.
Let’s dive into the science behind testosterone replacement therapy and weight loss.
Does testosterone make you burn more fat?
There are many common misconceptions when it comes to testosterone. One misconception is that testosterone burns fat. In reality, testosterone by itself does not “burn fat”. Testosterone is a hormone that plays a variety of roles in the body, including regulating body fat distribution and promoting muscle mass development.
While testosterone does not directly burn fat, some studies show that it can help stimulate the breakdown of stored fat and increase metabolic rate, leading to more efficient use of stored energy and potential fat loss.
Simply increasing to a person’s testosterone levels will not automatically burn fat—it does help patients feel more energetic and build muscle that can increase overall metabolism.
The relationship between testosterone and fat burning is complex and influenced by various factors such as diet, exercise, and overall health status.
To clarify, if you are undergoing testosterone therapy you will still need to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly to help with weight loss.
How much weight do you lose on testosterone?
Hormones are a very complex issue, and results can vary from person to person. In our patients, however, we’ve found that testosterone therapy enhances weight loss by around 10% for both men and women.
Testosterone replacement therapy helps our male patients lose 20-25% more weight when combined with our medical weight loss and nutrition program. On the other hand, women lose 10% more weight than their peers who do not undergo a hormone therapy/weight loss program combination.
How quickly do you lose weight on testosterone?
Once again, hormones are complex, as is their role in weight loss—not to mention, all patients are different and experience slightly different results.
That being said, many patients generally start feeling more energetic and become more active within a few weeks of receiving testosterone therapy.
Weight loss, however, is a gradual process and depends on diet and exercise regimen—even with the help of testosterone therapy.
Will testosterone help me lose weight as a woman?
Healthy testosterone levels are important for women, too, although women require less testosterone than men to maintain overall health. Testosterone is produces in the ovaries for women, and also helps to regulate various bodily functions including sex drive, bone density, and muscle mass.
As such, testosterone replacement therapy for women can provide the same benefits for women as it does for men when dosed correctly. However, when we talk about hormone replacement therapy for women, there are differences in the ratios and hormones involved in the therapy.
The main difference is that women typically use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to replenish estrogen levels that decline during menopause, while men use HRT to replace testosterone levels that decrease with age.
Women may also use progesterone in their HRT regimen, while men do not. Additionally, the dosage and type of hormone used in HRT for women and men may differ.
The best ways for women to achieve healthy, sustainable weight loss are through a balanced diet, regular exercise, and lifestyle modifications.
What is the best testosterone for weight loss?
For men, there are a wide variety of delivery methods for testosterone to aid with weight loss. Testosterone therapy can come in different forms, from pills and topical creams to injections and bioidentical hormone pellets.
At Blue Sky MD, we have found that hormone pellet therapy provides the best results due to its continual, gradual release of hormones directly into the bloodstream. These pellets are inserted under the skin and last for several months, making them much more convenient than injections, pills, or topical creams.
Every patient has different needs, however, and we’ll discuss all the options with you to provide the solution that works best for your biology, lifestyle, and goals.
How do I get started with testosterone therapy and weight loss?
If you’re experiencing symptoms that may be related to testosterone deficiency (sluggishness, unexplained weight gain, etc) you should get your hormone levels checked at a clinic that specialized in hormone therapy, such as Blue Sky MD.
The process involves drawing a small amount of blood to be sent to a lab for analysis. The lab results can detect a hormone imbalance which can then be treated with hormone prescriptions through the appropriate method.
If weight loss is your ultimate concern, you’ll also want to explore combining hormone therapy with our medical weight loss program. Our patients find lasting success with a combination of the two approaches to weight loss.
Contact us today to get started or complete our quick online health assessment to find out if you may be suffering from a hormone imbalance that’s affecting weight loss.
Dr. David LaMond, MD
Medical Director
Dr. David LaMond is the founder and Medical Director of Blue Sky MD. He has been a the forefront of hormone therapy and weight loss since 2008. Drawing from his foundation and board certification in Family Medicine, he has created the core medical principles behind the Blue Sky MD concept of total patient care. He is an active member of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians, American Society of Laser Medicine and Surgery and American Academy of Family Physicians.
North Carolina’s #1 TRT CLINIC
Since 2008, we’ve been at the forefront of TRT in North Carolina. Learn more about our life-changing testosterone therapy program for men.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Hormone pellets are a type of hormone replacement therapy that involves inserting small, rice-sized pellets under the skin.
These pellets are made from natural or synthetic hormones, such as testosterone or estrogen, and deliver a consistent, low dose of hormones into the body over a period of several months.
The pellets are typically inserted in the hip area through a small incision under local anesthesia.
While hormone pellets are generally considered safe and effective, they may not be suitable for everyone and should only be used under the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider.
Potential risks and side effects include infection, bleeding, skin irritation, and changes in hormone levels.
There is some evidence to suggest that testosterone may play a role in metabolism. Testosterone has been shown to increase muscle mass, and muscle tissue is more metabolically active than fat tissue. Therefore, it is possible that having high levels of testosterone may lead to a faster metabolism. However, the evidence on this topic is not definitive, and there are many other factors that can influence metabolism, such as genetics, diet, and exercise.
Testosterone is a hormone typically associated with building muscle mass, increasing strength, and maintaining bone density.
However, it is not typically associated with causing weight gain. In fact, low testosterone levels have been linked to increased body fat and weight gain, especially in men. This is because testosterone plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism and muscle mass, which helps keep the body lean and healthy.
Additionally, testosterone therapy has been shown to improve body composition and reduce fat mass in men with low testosterone levels.
So while testosterone may not directly cause weight gain, low levels of testosterone may contribute to weight gain and excess body fat.
While TRT has many benefits, there are also potential side effects that may occur. The most common side effects include acne, breast swelling or tenderness, increased red blood cell count, and sleep apnea.
Other potential side effects include fluctuations in mood, increased risk of blood clots, and infertility. It is important to note that the severity and frequency of side effects can vary from person to person and depend on factors such as age, dosage, and length of treatment.
Men undergoing TRT should be monitored regularly by a healthcare provider to ensure that any potential side effects are identified and addressed in a timely manner.
