GLP-1 medicine have remodeled the dialog round weight problems and diabetes. Medicines reminiscent of semaglutide and liraglutide are broadly identified for serving to individuals reduce weight, enhance blood sugar management and, in lots of circumstances, cut back the danger of metabolic issues. However researchers are actually taking a look at one other potential impact: what occurs to testosterone ranges in males taking these medicines? The query is especially related for males with weight problems, insulin resistance or sort 2 diabetes, circumstances that may themselves be linked to low testosterone. Rising analysis means that GLP-1 receptor agonists could also be related to enhancements in testosterone ranges in some males. Nonetheless, specialists warning towards calling these medicines “testosterone boosters”. Their potential hormonal advantages might as a substitute be a consequence of enhancing the metabolic issues that may suppress testosterone manufacturing. Dr Nishant Raizada, Head, Endocrinology, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, explains why the connection between weight problems, metabolism and testosterone is extra difficult than it might seem.
How Is Weight problems Linked To Low Testosterone?
Low testosterone in males with weight problems isn’t essentially attributable to an issue with the testicles themselves. Extra physique fats, notably visceral and belly fats, can intervene with the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, the hormonal signalling system that connects the mind and reproductive organs.
Insulin resistance, power low-grade irritation, modifications in leptin signalling and elevated conversion of testosterone into oestrogen in adipose tissue might all contribute to hormonal disruption.
Because of this when an obese or overweight man has low testosterone, merely taking a look at testosterone manufacturing in isolation might not present the entire image.
“I might not name GLP-1 medicines ‘testosterone-boosting medicine’. That will be scientifically incorrect. They could elevate a number of the metabolic brakes on regular testosterone manufacturing,” says Dr Raizada.
What Does The Analysis Say About GLP-1 Medication And Testosterone?
Analysis into the connection between GLP-1 receptor agonists and male hormones continues to be creating, however the findings thus far are attention-grabbing. A scientific evaluate and meta-analysis printed in 2025, which included seven research and 680 individuals, discovered that remedy with GLP-1 receptor agonists was related to a rise in whole testosterone. The remedy was additionally related to reductions in physique weight, BMI, waist circumference and HbA1c.
One other systematic review printed in 2026 checked out 10 research involving 639 males. It discovered that whole testosterone typically elevated throughout GLP-1 remedy, notably amongst males with weight problems, sort 2 diabetes or useful hypogonadism. Nonetheless, the outcomes have been much less constant when researchers checked out free testosterone. This distinction issues as a result of whole testosterone and free testosterone aren’t interchangeable. Most testosterone within the blood is sure to proteins, whereas solely a small proportion circulates in an unbound or “free” type. Free testosterone is biologically obtainable to tissues.
Subsequently, an enchancment in a single testosterone measurement doesn’t essentially imply that each side of androgen perform has modified in the identical manner.
Is The Testosterone Enhance Immediately Precipitated By GLP-1 Medication?
Not essentially. One of many greatest questions researchers are attempting to reply is whether or not GLP-1 medicines have a direct impact on the reproductive hormone system or whether or not enhancements in testosterone are primarily a results of weight reduction and higher metabolic well being. Weight problems can suppress regular reproductive hormone signalling. When physique weight, insulin resistance and metabolic well being enhance, a few of these hormonal disturbances may additionally enhance. This might clarify why testosterone rises in some males after beginning GLP-1 remedy.
In different phrases, the drugs might not be performing like testosterone substitute remedy. As a substitute, it might be serving to handle a number of the underlying metabolic elements related to low testosterone.
GLP-1 Medication Vs Testosterone Remedy: Why The Distinction Issues
One research evaluating liraglutide with testosterone substitute remedy in overweight males with useful hypogonadism offers an attention-grabbing perception. After 16 weeks, testosterone ranges elevated in each teams. Nonetheless, the lads receiving liraglutide skilled considerably better weight reduction, shedding a median of seven.9 kg in contrast with about 0.9 kg within the testosterone-treatment group.
Liraglutide was additionally related to will increase in luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), hormones concerned within the physique’s pure reproductive signalling. The excellence is clinically necessary.
Testosterone replacement can improve testosterone circulating within the blood, however externally administered testosterone can suppress the physique’s personal LH and FSH manufacturing. This could cut back stimulation of the testes and should have an effect on sperm manufacturing and fertility. GLP-1 medicines work by a basically totally different pathway.
“Because of this the query shouldn’t merely be, ‘How can we elevate the testosterone?’ For some males, we additionally have to ask, ‘What’s holding it again within the first place?’” says Dr Raizada.
What About Fertility And Sperm High quality?
“The connection between GLP-1 remedy, testosterone and male fertility is one other space attracting consideration. A small randomised trial involving males with weight problems, sort 2 diabetes and useful hypogonadism in contrast semaglutide with testosterone remedy over 24 weeks. Researchers assessed hormonal outcomes in addition to semen-related parameters. These early findings are necessary as a result of testosterone ranges alone don’t decide male fertility. In actual fact, taking testosterone substitute with out medical supervision can negatively have an effect on sperm manufacturing,” says Dr Raizada.
Nonetheless, the obtainable proof on GLP-1 medicine and fertility stays restricted. Bigger and longer research are wanted earlier than these medicines could be thought of a remedy for male infertility or low testosterone.
Does Weight Loss Robotically Enhance Testosterone?
Not each man who loses weight will expertise the identical hormonal modifications. The extent of enchancment can rely upon the underlying reason behind low testosterone, the diploma of weight problems, insulin sensitivity, sleep high quality, age, medicines and different well being elements.
Sleep is especially related as a result of poor sleep and circumstances reminiscent of obstructive sleep apnoea can be related to lowered testosterone ranges.
Diet and extreme calorie restriction may additionally affect reproductive hormones. Subsequently, testosterone needs to be thought of as a part of a broader image of metabolic and general well being slightly than as an remoted laboratory quantity.
Are GLP-1 Medication A Therapy For Low Testosterone?
The present proof doesn’t help utilizing GLP-1 receptor agonists merely as testosterone-raising medicines. These medicine are primarily prescribed for circumstances reminiscent of weight problems and sort 2 diabetes, relying on the particular medication and indication. A person experiencing signs reminiscent of lowered libido, erectile difficulties, fatigue, lowered muscle mass or different signs related to low testosterone shouldn’t begin a GLP-1 drug or testosterone remedy with out medical analysis.
Low testosterone additionally must be correctly identified. Testosterone ranges can fluctuate, and a single check might not be sufficient to ascertain hypogonadism. Medical doctors might think about repeat morning testosterone measurements together with signs and, when applicable, different hormone exams to find out the underlying trigger.
The rising connection between GLP-1 medicine and testosterone is actually attention-grabbing, however it’s too early to explain these medicines as hormonal therapies. Analysis means that whole testosterone might improve in some males receiving GLP-1 receptor agonists, notably these with weight problems, sort 2 diabetes or useful hypogonadism. On the identical time, modifications in free testosterone and intercourse hormone-binding globulin have been much less constant.
“A meta-analysis in 2025 demonstrated important enchancment in bioavailable testosterone with GLP-1 receptor agonists, however modifications in free testosterone and intercourse hormone-binding globulin weren’t statistically important. Bigger, better-powered trials are nonetheless wanted,” says Dr Raizada. For now, the larger lesson could also be that testosterone can not all the time be separated from metabolic well being.
Weight problems, insulin resistance, poor sleep and different metabolic issues can affect the hormonal setting wherein testosterone is produced and controlled. Bettering these elements might, in some males, enable testosterone ranges to recuperate naturally.
So, slightly than viewing GLP-1 medicines as a shortcut to greater testosterone, specialists say the main target ought to stay on treating the underlying metabolic downside when that’s the driver of hormonal dysfunction.
The necessary query might not merely be, “How can we improve testosterone?” It might be: “Why is testosterone low within the first place?” And that shift in perspective may show extra necessary than the quantity on a testosterone report.
Disclaimer: This content material together with recommendation offers generic info solely. It’s by no means an alternative choice to a certified medical opinion. At all times seek the advice of a specialist or your personal physician for extra info. NDTV doesn’t declare accountability for this info.
