Testosterone low in young men with obesity

As well as being at increased risk for conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, overweight teenage boys may also be likely to have lower testosterone levels than other children their age, according to a new study published this week in the journal Clinical Endocrinology.

Research findings
Researchers studied 25 lean and 25 obese males between the ages of 14 and 20 to determine the basis of testosterone reduction, finding that testosterone levels were 50 percent lower for obese males, with mean free testosterone concentration at 46 percent. Testosterone concentrations were measured in the mornings to achieve accurate results, as levels change during the course of waking hours.

Previous research showed that type 2 diabetes and obesity in older men is associated with a 25 to 33 percent higher rate of hypogonadism, a condition that leads to reduced testosterone. The new study adds to these findings, discovering that men between 18 and 35 are at increased risk by 50 percent.

Researchers from the Clinical Endocrinology study noted that the next step in addressing the problem is a larger study to determine key brain functions that could link obesity and testosterone production. If, for instance, a certain chemical is low on production, or particularly high, it may provide insight into how testosterone levels could be artificially boosted for these individuals without negatively affecting their health.

Prevention and treatment
Individuals with obesity are at increased risk for heart disease and diabetes. Patients may buy Actos to address type 2 diabetes or buy Lipitor for heart health, but research shows that the best approach is often exercise in conjunction with other treatments. Diet has also been shown to have a large effect.

According to lead study author Paresh Dondona, M.D., chief of the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at the University of Buffalo, research shows that gastric bypass surgeries for overweight adults have proven to increase testosterone levels during recovery. For overweight youth, simple weight reduction strategies could produce significant improvements.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that more than 35.7 percent of American adults are obese, and according to the Huffington Post, nearly a quarter of Canadians share the same condition. In addition to heart disease and diabetes, obesity may lead to a greater risk of certain cancers.