Testosterone and Fat Loss

[Igifuno]

A member recently reached out with a question asking if low testosterone levels could make it more difficult to shed fat. After doing some research on the subject, I thought it would be a good topic to share.

To answer the question, yes, it seems that low testosterone very well could constrain the body’s ability to shed stored fat, and here is why along with some background.

There are billions of fat cells throughout your body. In order to store fat, these cells expand to many times their original size, and then shrink when they discharge the stored fat. Fat cells respond to hormones such as testosterone in only one of two ways, conditional on the signal being either lipogenic or lipolytic.

‘Lipo’ means fat, and ‘lysis’ means to separate, or breakdown, in this case referring to the fat cell. So, a lipolytic hormone will increase the quantity of fat calories that are burned for energy. Oppositely, hormones that promote fat storage are identified as lipogenic, meaning lipogenic hormones stimulate fat storage.

With regard to fat loss, your testosterone levels can affect how easily you can lose fat. Imagine your fat cells like car, which has an accelerator and a brake. The ‘accelerator’ is the part of the fat cell that releases fat, and these are called beta-receptors. The parts of a fat cell that prohibit, or put the ‘brakes’ on fat loss is known as alpha-receptors.

The varying dispersal of the alpha and beta receptors on each of the billions of fat cells within you is why some parts of your body can shed fat faster and easier than others. Fat cells in women, particularly in certain areas of their body, have a higher ratio of alpha to beta-receptors, which is why they can have difficulty losing fat in that region.

So, if a fat cell has more beta-receptors, it will release stored fat faster than one with less beta-receptors.
This is where testosterone comes into play and appears to be advantageous. Testosterone has shown to increase the number of beta-receptors in the body, and when the number of beta-receptors is increased, it is naturally easier to shed stored fat.

Also, studies show that testosterone can also limit the storage of fat. When fat cells have been exposed to testosterone in a test tube, the activity of lipoprotein lipase, an enzyme that promotes fat storage, is dramatically reduced.

Here is a quick study I found supporting the notion that testosterone increases beta-receptors:

Endocrinology. 1991 Jan;128(1):379-82.
Testosterone increases lipolysis and the number of beta-adrenoceptors in male rat adipocytes.
Xu XF, De Pergola G, Björntorp P.

Source
Wallenberg Laboratory, Sahlgren's Hospital, University of Göteborg, Sweden.

Abstract
The influence of androgen status on the regulation of lipolysis and number of beta-adrenoceptors in isolated adipocytes was studied in male rats. Castration resulted in decreased catecholamine-induced as well as forskolin-induced lipolysis. beta-adrenoceptor number, examined by a whole cell cyanopindolol binding assay, was also diminished to a similar extent.

Testosterone treatment of castrated rats normalized lipolysis as well as beta-adrenoceptor number. These results demonstrate that testosterone stimulates catecholamine-induced lipolysis in vivo by increasing the number of beta-adrenoceptors as well as the activity of adenylate cyclase, confirming previous in vitro studies performed in adipose precursor cells.

Hopefully this sheds some light on this topic of how low T can, in fact, inhibit your ability to lose fat in a rapid manner.

[AD]

nice one. well done

[1tuffmudder]

Bad ass man. Appreciate the wealth of knowledge and work.

[M302_Imola]

Nicely put in layman's terms. Reminds me of a chick I just talked to in the gym that has been busting her ass trying to lose fat with no success. Her diet is on point and she works out super hard (1 hour fasted cardio in morns and lifts in the evenings). I told her to have some bloodwork done as I expected her hormones to be out of whack and low and behold her test levels were pretty much none existant (yes, women require testosterone as well guys). Just added this to support your write-up.

[Igifuno]

Thx AD and 1tuff

M302 I'd be interested to hear what her blood results consist of. It could be that she has an usually higher ratio of alpha to beta receptors, but it could most certainly be something more.

Please share the results if you can!

[RaginCajun]

I think I'm going to do my body a favor and try to make an appointment at the Low-t clinic here in Houston for Christmas.

As I have no idea what my current levels are

Thanks for the article iggi

[Igifuno]

Are you having a hard time shedding some fat RC?

[RaginCajun]

Are you having a hard time shedding some fat RC?

Yeah, and my whole body is just a wreck!

I am not disciplined enough so hormones are not the real answer! Haha!

My body will just hang onto fat, genetics

[Igifuno]

Yeah, and my whole body is just a wreck! I am not disciplined enough so hormones are not the real answer! Haha! My body will just hang onto fat, genetics

Get it done! Let us know the results

[biggjd69]

A member recently reached out with a question asking if low testosterone levels could make it more difficult to shed fat. After doing some research on the subject, I thought it would be a good topic to share.

To answer the question, yes, it seems that low testosterone very well could constrain the body’s ability to shed stored fat, and here is why along with some background.

There are billions of fat cells throughout your body. In order to store fat, these cells expand to many times their original size, and then shrink when they discharge the stored fat. Fat cells respond to hormones such as testosterone in only one of two ways, conditional on the signal being either lipogenic or lipolytic.

‘Lipo’ means fat, and ‘lysis’ means to separate, or breakdown, in this case referring to the fat cell. So, a lipolytic hormone will increase the quantity of fat calories that are burned for energy. Oppositely, hormones that promote fat storage are identified as lipogenic, meaning lipogenic hormones stimulate fat storage.

With regard to fat loss, your testosterone levels can affect how easily you can lose fat. Imagine your fat cells like car, which has an accelerator and a brake. The ‘accelerator’ is the part of the fat cell that releases fat, and these are called beta-receptors. The parts of a fat cell that prohibit, or put the ‘brakes’ on fat loss is known as alpha-receptors.

The varying dispersal of the alpha and beta receptors on each of the billions of fat cells within you is why some parts of your body can shed fat faster and easier than others. Fat cells in women, particularly in certain areas of their body, have a higher ratio of alpha to beta-receptors, which is why they can have difficulty losing fat in that region.

So, if a fat cell has more beta-receptors, it will release stored fat faster than one with less beta-receptors.
This is where testosterone comes into play and appears to be advantageous. Testosterone has shown to increase the number of beta-receptors in the body, and when the number of beta-receptors is increased, it is naturally easier to shed stored fat.

Also, studies show that testosterone can also limit the storage of fat. When fat cells have been exposed to testosterone in a test tube, the activity of lipoprotein lipase, an enzyme that promotes fat storage, is dramatically reduced.

Here is a quick study I found supporting the notion that testosterone increases beta-receptors:

Endocrinology. 1991 Jan;128(1):379-82.
Testosterone increases lipolysis and the number of beta-adrenoceptors in male rat adipocytes.
Xu XF, De Pergola G, Björntorp P.

Source
Wallenberg Laboratory, Sahlgren's Hospital, University of Göteborg, Sweden.

Abstract
The influence of androgen status on the regulation of lipolysis and number of beta-adrenoceptors in isolated adipocytes was studied in male rats. Castration resulted in decreased catecholamine-induced as well as forskolin-induced lipolysis. beta-adrenoceptor number, examined by a whole cell cyanopindolol binding assay, was also diminished to a similar extent.

Testosterone treatment of castrated rats normalized lipolysis as well as beta-adrenoceptor number. These results demonstrate that testosterone stimulates catecholamine-induced lipolysis in vivo by increasing the number of beta-adrenoceptors as well as the activity of adenylate cyclase, confirming previous in vitro studies performed in adipose precursor cells.

Hopefully this sheds some light on this topic of how low T can, in fact, inhibit your ability to lose fat in a rapid manner.

I went from 253 down to 208 and 18% bodyfat. But can't move from there. Had bloodworm done and lo and behold low "T"

[Igifuno]

Makes sense. Sounds like you've hit a 'lipogenic wall'. Stabilized test levels should increase the number of beta receptors in the body and allow you shed fat easier.

[M302_Imola]

Thx AD and 1tuff

M302 I'd be interested to hear what her blood results consist of. It could be that she has an usually higher ratio of alpha to beta receptors, but it could most certainly be something more.

Please share the results if you can!

Yeah I'll ask her some more questions and see what I can get out of her. Maybe she'll let me look at her bloodwork. You're right she might have more alpha than beta receptors, but will a general hormone panel test that? Not sure I've ever seen that on bloodwork.

[Igifuno]

Yeah I'll ask her some more questions and see what I can get out of her. Maybe she'll let me look at her bloodwork. You're right she might have more alpha than beta receptors, but will a general hormone panel test that? Not sure I've ever seen that on bloodwork.

No I don't think so, but test and estradiol levels would be interesting to see. It seems as though this would be true for both men and women, and women with low test levels would have less beta receptors and, as a result, would have a difficult time shedding fat.

[Megalodon6]

Great post bud!

[M302_Imola]

No I don't think so, but test and estradiol levels would be interesting to see. It seems as though this would be true for both men and women, and women with low test levels would have less beta receptors and, as a result, would have a difficult time shedding fat.

An interesting side note is Clen targets beta receptors. So seems to me that clen would burn more fat (target more beta receptors) if one had adequate or high test levels.

[gbrice75]

Nice post Ig, well done.

[Igifuno]

An interesting side note is Clen targets beta receptors. So seems to me that clen would burn more fat (target more beta receptors) if one had adequate or high test levels.

Very interesting side note.

Low T = more alpha receptors and difficulty in losing fat

Stable T = more beta receptors and easier fat loss

High T = additional beta receptors and even more fat loss (???)

Administering clen with increased test levels/beta receptors = more beta receptors targeted for fat loss. What’s debatable though, is clen’s anti-catabolic characteristics, although the largest consensus is that there are anti-catabolic properties in clen.

Here is a study:

Clenbuterol , a beta-adrenoceptor agonist, increases relative muscle strength in orthopaedic
patients.

Maltin CA, Delday MI, Watson JS, Heys SD, Nevison IM, Ritchie IK, Gibson PH
Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, U.K.

1. The sympathomimetic agent clenbuterol has a muscle-specific anabolic effect in normal and wasted muscles from animals. This trial was designed to examine the effect of the drug on the recovery of muscle strength and area after open medial meniscectomy. 2. A double-blind, completely randomized, placebo-controlled study was carried out on 20 healthy male patients. Muscle strength and cross-sectional area were determined before and after surgery. Patients were treated with drug or placebo for 4 weeks postoperatively and there was a 2 week washout period. 3. The results suggest that, in the operated leg, clenbuterol treatment is associated with a more rapid rehabilitation of strength in knee extensor muscles; in the unoperated leg, knee extensor strength increased above the initial values after 6 weeks (P = 0.01). However, in terms of absolute strength the differences were not significant between the two groups. 4. It is concluded that the data lend support to the proposition that clenbuterol has therapeutic potential in the treatment of muscle-wasting conditions.

I’m interested to hear some thoughts on the potential benefits of running clen during a bulk cycle, perhaps at a lower dose, in an effort to keep a low bf%. I understand that clen can preserve muscle as it lowers the level of cortisol, which is a hormone that eats muscle.

Clen can also suppress the appetite in some, but looking beyond that, and considering the notion that with an increase in beta receptors, additional fat loss could occur with clen and higher testosterone levels , would it make sense to run clen during a bulk cycle in an effort to stay as lean as possible?

[kronik420]

nice post Igi

love me some clen

[Juced_porkchop]

Great posts! Iv known this for some time, but it seems many don't. i also find higher estrogen tends to make it harder to lose fat. for me a nice cuttign cycle is just test + an AI :-)
MAYBE soem var from time to time. but diet is 90% of it still.

[kelkel]

Testosterone as potential effective therap... [Curr Diabetes Rev. 2012] - PubMed - NCBI

Testosterone as Potential Effective Therapy in Treatment of Obesity in Men with Testosterone Deficiency: A Review

[Cuz]

Great Post IG, im going to get to try that clen out next year

[Igifuno]

kel thank you for those links. Took me a while to read that, and I'll definitely be going over it again.

It's interesting that the article identifies that accumulation of fat deposits can be caused by lower-than-normal testosterone levels , and that testosterone treatment reverses fat accumulation and improves LBM, but I was surprised there was no mention of the role of alpha or beta receptors.

[Igifuno]

Great Post IG, im going to get to try that clen out next year

Trying it on a cut or bulk?

It's typically used during cutting, obviously, but I'd really like some thoughts from some of the vets on the notion that, since it has muscle sparing qualities and attacks beta receptors, which increase with elevated test levels, how effective it may be actually using it on a bulk cycle in an effort to stay lean while bulking.

Again, it may supress the appetite in some, but my appetite is much more surpressed on ECA, for example.

Pretty interesting thought.. I just want to make sure we get some more info to identify any possible adverse effects, other than the obvious dangers that come along with clen as well as possibly not being able to reach your potential from inhibited weight gain.

[Times Roman]

for many, going on TRT alone will resculpt the body, improving lean body mass, reducing the potato gut. I gave a 63 year old buddy one 10 ml vial of test c @ 200mg/ml and instructed him to dose at 100mg/week. within about three months, his potato gut was about half, and he was noticeably in better shape.

test is some good chit man!

[Cuz]

Trying it on a cut or bulk?

It's typically used during cutting, obviously, but I'd really like some thoughts from some of the vets on the notion that, since it has muscle sparing qualities and attacks beta receptors, which increase with elevated test levels, how effective it may be actually using it on a bulk cycle in an effort to stay lean while bulking.

Again, it may supress the appetite in some, but my appetite is much more surpressed on ECA, for example.

Pretty interesting thought.. I just want to make sure we get some more info to identify any possible adverse effects, other than the obvious dangers that come along with clen as well as possibly not being able to reach your potential from inhibited weight gain.

I will be using it to cut my friend alongside T3 with aas of course. I don't have any intentions to use it while bulking, plus I don't want to use it no more than I absolutely have to use clen .

[629]

Question: If you have naturally low T, does taking AAS increase the risk of having a tough recovery to those normally low T levels? Could it have a good effect in possibly raising them after the cycle if the correct PCT protocol is taken?

[ac guy]

If you have low t, you wouldn't pct after a cycle, you would use a trt dose of test in between cycles to maintain a normal test level.

[Beethoven]

Great read and info! Thanks for sharing.

[cj111]

Testosterone has shown to increase the number of beta-receptors in the body, and when the number of beta-receptors is increased, it is naturally easier to shed stored fat.

Im having a hard time believing this one, you got a link to somewhere with any info on this ?

[Igifuno]

Im having a hard time believing this one, you got a link to somewhere with any info on this ?

I'll try to find something and post it for you. I don't recall seeing anything except studies on rats that indicated as such, but did read in a couple places that this was the case. I am really trying to find more about this myself, and am extremely curious how a low dose of Clen for instance may be beneficial even in a bulking cycle if beta receptors are indeed increased and knowing that Clen targets beta receptors.

Thx for the comment and keeping the thread going, will definitely try to find out more!

[Igifuno]

Im having a hard time believing this one, you got a link to somewhere with any info on this ?

Also, if you could, clarify which part you're having a hard time believing: is it that test increases the number of beta receptors, or by having increased beta receptors it's easier to shed fat?

[Igifuno]

Endocrinology. 1991 Jan;128(1):379-82.
Testosterone increases lipolysis and the number of beta-adrenoceptors in male rat adipocytes.

Xu XF, De Pergola G, Björntorp P.
Author information Wallenberg Laboratory, Sahlgren's Hospital, University of Göteborg, Sweden.

Abstract
The influence of androgen status on the regulation of lipolysis and number of beta-adrenoceptors in isolated adipocytes was studied in male rats. Castration resulted in decreased catecholamine-induced as well as forskolin-induced lipolysis. beta-adrenoceptor number, examined by a whole cell cyanopindolol binding assay, was also diminished to a similar extent. Testosterone treatment of castrated rats normalized lipolysis as well as beta-adrenoceptor number. These results demonstrate that testosterone stimulates catecholamine-induced lipolysis in vivo by increasing the number of beta-adrenoceptors as well as the activity of adenylate cyclase, confirming previous in vitro studies performed in adipose precursor cells.

PMID:1846106[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[Igifuno]

Pharmacological Doses of Testosterone Upregulated Androgen Receptor and 3-Beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase/Delta-5-Delta-4 Isomerase and Impaired Leydig Cells Steroidogenesis in Adult Rats

Tatjana S. Kostic2, Natasa J. Stojkov, Maja M. Bjelic, Aleksandar I. Mihajlovic, Marija M. Janjic and Silvana A. Andric1,2
+ Author Affiliations
Reproductive Endocrinology and Signaling Group, Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
1↵To whom correspondence should be addressed at Reproductive Endocrinology and Signaling Group, Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Dositeja Obradovica Square 2, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia. Fax: +(381) 21-450-620. E-mail: [email protected].
2These authors contributed equally to this work.

Received January 11, 2011.
Accepted March 4, 2011.

Abstract
Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are testosterone derivatives originally designed to enhance muscular mass and used for the treatment of many clinical conditions as well as in contraception. Despite popular interest and abuse, we still lack a broad understanding of effects of AAS on synthesis of steroid hormones on the molecular level. This study was designed to systematically analyze the effects of pharmacological/high doses of testosterone on steroidogenic machinery in Leydig cells. Two different experimental approaches were used: (1) In vivo experiment on groups of adult male rats treated with testosterone for 1 day, 2 weeks, and 2 months; (2) Direct in vitro testosterone treatment of Leydig cells isolated from intact rats. Result showed that prolonged in vivo treatment with testosterone decreased the expression of Scarb1 (scavenger receptor class B type 1), Tspo (translocator protein), Star (steroidogenic acute regulatory protein), Cyp11a1 (cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme), and Cyp17a1 (17α-hydroxylase/17, 20 lyase) in Leydig cells. Oppositely, the expression of Hsd3b (3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta-5-delta-4 isomerase), Ar (androgen receptor), and Pde4a/b (cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent phosphodiesterases) was increased. Androgenization for 2 weeks inhibited Cyp19 (aromatase) transcription, whereas 2-month exposure caused the opposite effect. Direct in vitro testosterone treatment also decreased the expression of Cyp11a1, Cyp17a1, and Cyp19a1, whereas Hsd3b was upregulated. The results of expression analysis were supported by declined steroidogenic capacity and activity of Leydig cells, although conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone was stimulated. The upregulation of AR and 3βHSD in testosterone-impaired Leydig cells steroidogenesis could be the possible mechanism that maintain and prevent loss of steroidogenic function.

[Igifuno]

I hope I'm interpreting that correctly, but it looks to me that in rats, anyhow, that beta receptors are increased with the administration of testosterone . Unfortunately I cannot find any studies on humans.

Would love more input on this.

[Java Man]

along the lines of your original post, specifically in humans though:
Effect of testosterone on lipolysis in - PubMed Mobile

RESULTS: Testosterone caused a specific, time- and concentration-dependent 50% reduction of catecholamine-stimulated lipolysis in the subcutaneous depot. Half of the maximum effect occurred at 10 nmol/l. The inhibitory effect was due to the inability of beta-adrenoceptors and cyclic AMP to stimulate the protein kinase A, hormone-sensitive lipase complex. Testosterone caused a depot-specific 50% reduction of the protein expression of hormone-sensitive lipase and beta(2)-adrenoceptors in differentiated subcutaneous pre-adipocytes, but no change in beta(1)-adrenoceptors, protein kinase A subunits or perilipin expression. In contrast, testosterone had no effect on lipolysis or protein expression in the visceral depot. However, testosterone receptors were present in both depots, and the hormone inhibited adipocyte leptin secretion. Similar effects on lipolysis were observed with dihydrotestosterone.

[Java Man]

This one aims to explain the effect of testosterone on lipolysis in humans with an explanation of why we observe different results depending on the subjected species:
Effects of testosterone on fat cell lip - PubMed Mobile

I'm still looking for some that specifically show increase in beta-2 receptors in human white fat.

[Igifuno]

This one aims to explain the effect of testosterone on lipolysis in humans with an explanation of why we observe different results depending on the subjected species: Effects of testosterone on fat cell lip - PubMed Mobile I'm still looking for some that specifically show increase in beta-2 receptors in human white fat.

Thanks for these java. Will definitely read both in detail. Had no luck in finding any studies on that as well (in humans). You can, however, find it in other write ups on the subject, but they do not include studies.

[cj111]

Receptors are built into tissues, I just don't get how you can create more receptors.

[Java Man]

Receptors are built into tissues, I just don't get how you can create more receptors.

The language used is 'increased / decreased expression' of certain receptor pathways via specific proteins acting as activators/deactivators. I understand that as stating not that the number of physical receptors is changed but that the number of active receptors is what changes. Some are dormant while others are active. Alpha gets deactivated and beta gets activated in greater numbers than would otherwise be the case.

[Java Man]

Thanks for these java. Will definitely read both in detail. Had no luck in finding any studies on that as well (in humans). You can, however, find it in other write ups on the subject, but they do not include studies.

I'm convinced. I've known for a long time that testosterone increases the rate at which my body burns fat. I can see it every time I run test. Lol. I mean I want to know why, of course, but as far as needing proof I'm well past that point.