Does Low Testosterone Cause Weight Gain? (3 Things to Know)

Testosterone is crucial for muscle mass development. Low levels lead to muscle loss, as testosterone binds with receptors in muscles to maintain them. Without enough testosterone, muscle maintenance ceases, causing degradation, according to the Clinical Biochemist Reviews [3].

From my training sessions, I've noticed clients with low testosterone have a harder time building and maintaining muscle mass.

Interestingly, a 2015 review shows that though mass is affected, muscle function and strength may not diminish [4].

Bottom line: you need to increase testosterone to lose body fat and increase muscle mass.

Related Article: Can You Build Muscle with Low Testosterone?

Fat

Fat cells contain an enzyme called aromatase that converts testosterone to estradiol (estrogen).

This conversion and increase in estrogen levels signal the endocrine system to slow testosterone production, according to the study published in PubMed [5].

In my experience, clients with higher body fat often struggle with lower testosterone levels, impacting their overall health.

Hormone replacement therapy can effectively improve the body composition of hypogonadal men by increasing serum testosterone levels [6].

A connection exists between testosterone and weight loss. Low T equals more body fat, and obesity lowers testosterone production, so men can find themselves in a vicious cycle when it comes to losing weight and gaining lean body mass.

Bottom line: health concerns with increased body fat are aplenty, from heart disease, high blood pressure, carrying extra weight on your joints, inhibiting the body’s ability to maintain a normal testosterone level, and affecting other hormones like estrogen.

“Testosterone also plays common roles for both sexes. For example, the hormone stimulates the body to make new red blood cells. Testosterone can also affect a man’s bone density, fat distribution, and muscle strength.”

-Rachel Nall, MSN

According to the SageJournals, stress, particularly long-term stress, can increase cortisol levels and result in a reduction of T levels. Essentially creating an inverse relationship; as one rises, the other decreases [7].

Increased cortisol levels lower testosterone, which can lead to weight gain; it can also increase food intake and fat tissue, particularly belly fat [8].

I've seen many clients where chronic stress led to increased cortisol and decreased testosterone, affecting their weight and health.

Belly fat can increase because cortisol is released in response to stress, raising blood sugar levels, and this increase encourages fat storage, especially around the abdomen, according to the Cleveland Clinic [9].

Bottom line: high testosterone levels mean low cortisol levels, but higher than normal levels of cortisol can lead to stress-eating and low T, ultimately causing your body to store fat and promote weight gain.

Energy and Stamina

Low testosterone can significantly impact energy levels and stamina, and this is where many of my clients feel the biggest frustration and hurdle to their weight loss goals.

Researchers surveyed men who were taking prescription testosterone, and they reported an improvement in overall health [10].

They were taking it for:

Exercise can help T levels, and it’s probably the best testosterone treatment out there, along with natural testosterone boosters. Through regular exercise routines, I've helped numerous clients boost their testosterone levels naturally.

Like many of my clients, you may want to find natural ways to increase your testosterone without resorting to hormone replacement therapy, and exercise is a proven way to do that [11].

In my experience as a coach, testosterone-boosting workouts coupled with natural testosterone boosters consistently yields significant results for my clients.

Additional studies published in Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition show that exercise significantly increases testosterone levels in obese men more than simply losing weight [12].

A year-long study of men who did not previously exercise showed increased dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels of almost 15 percent when they began exercising [13].

In my research, I found countless studies supporting exercise and increased testosterone. Some studies support moderate exercise with testosterone therapy producing significant weight loss in men with lower testosterone levels [14].

Bottom line: exercise with or without hormone therapy can positively impact T levels. In addition, a targeted dietary approach, rich in specific nutrients, plays a crucial role in managing testosterone levels and weight, with certain foods having the potential to naturally boost testosterone and aid in effective weight management.