09 OctThe relationship between Testosterone and obesity or smoking

Testosterone and obesity

Testosterone has been implicated in obesity and metabolic risk factors – declining levels of the hormone are typically accompanied by an increase in body mass index and waist circumference. Researchers have also found links between low testosterone, cardiovascular risk, and insulin resistance.

Testosterone has, therefore, been suggested as a treatment option for men who are obese. However, obesity itself can affect testosterone levels, meaning that separating out cause and effect is practically impossible; declining testosterone may be just a part of the complex downward cycle.

Researchers suggest that lifestyle and dietary modifications are more appropriate than testosterone supplementation for people who are obese and who want to reduce body weight. Such modifications, in addition to standard interventions for metabolic disorders, can normalize moderately reduced testosterone levels in men.

Testosterone and smoking

Cigarette smoking has been linked to elevated levels of estrone and estradiol, as well as elevated levels of testosterone in men – higher levels of testosterone in smokers does not appear to have beneficial effects on reproductive capacity as smokers also have compromised sperm production.

A study looking at young Danish military recruits (aged 18-28) found that those who regularly smoked marijuana (more than once a week) had higher levels of testosterone (similar to the elevated testosterone seen in cigarette smokers).

However, regular marijuana smokers also had 28 percent lower sperm concentrations, and 29 percent lower total sperm count, while those who regularly combined marijuana with other recreational drugs had a 52 percent lower sperm concentration and 55 percent lower total sperm count.