Testosterone shots help liversick men build muscle and lose fat
Testosterone therapy increases muscle mass in men with cirrhosis and low testosterone: A randomised controlled trial.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Men with serious liver disease and low testosterone got monthly testosterone shots or dummy shots for a year. Those who got testosterone built more muscle, lost fat, had stronger bones, more blood, and better blood sugar.
Surprising Findings
Testosterone therapy significantly improved HbA1c and hemoglobin in patients with cirrhosis—conditions typically considered untreatable by hormonal means in this population.
It’s widely assumed that liver failure makes metabolic improvements nearly impossible; this shows testosterone can bypass that limitation.
Practical Takeaways
Men with chronic liver disease and symptoms of low testosterone (fatigue, muscle loss, low libido) should ask their doctor for a testosterone level test.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Men with serious liver disease and low testosterone got monthly testosterone shots or dummy shots for a year. Those who got testosterone built more muscle, lost fat, had stronger bones, more blood, and better blood sugar.
Surprising Findings
Testosterone therapy significantly improved HbA1c and hemoglobin in patients with cirrhosis—conditions typically considered untreatable by hormonal means in this population.
It’s widely assumed that liver failure makes metabolic improvements nearly impossible; this shows testosterone can bypass that limitation.
Practical Takeaways
Men with chronic liver disease and symptoms of low testosterone (fatigue, muscle loss, low libido) should ask their doctor for a testosterone level test.
Publication
Journal
Journal of hepatology
Year
2016
Authors
M. Sinclair, M. Grossmann, R. Hoermann, P. Angus, P. Gow
Related Content
Claims (6)
For men with liver disease and low testosterone, taking testosterone therapy for a year helps them gain muscle and lose fat, making their body composition healthier.
When men have low testosterone, their bodies often have trouble using sugar properly and lose muscle, which can make them more likely to develop heart disease or diabetes.
For men with liver disease and low testosterone, taking testosterone therapy for a year can help them gain about 1.7 kg more muscle in their arms and legs compared to not taking it.
For men with liver disease and low testosterone, giving them testosterone shots or pills can raise their blood’s hemoglobin levels by about 10 points over a year, which might help fix their anemia.
For men with liver disease and low testosterone, giving them testosterone shots or pills for a year can slightly lower their blood sugar levels, as shown by a small drop in a common blood test called HbA1c.