Hormone Replacement

Men: Lose Weight & Gain Muscle with HRT

Many men find that as they pass 30 they gradually start to gain weight – even though they’re not eating more and their activity level hasn’t decreased. In fact, many men in their thirties and forties increase their amount of exercise and go on calorie-restrictive diets only to find that they still can’t lose weight!

For other men, their weight may stay constant but fat starts to be distributed differently as they age – typically with more stubborn fat around the middle in a so-called “beer belly”. Men can start to accumulate embarrassing fat in the breast area as they get older – developing “man boobs”.

If you are a man who finds that they are developing a doughy “dad bod” as you get older, it’s not your fault … your hormones are very likely to blame! As a man passes thirty his hormone levels gradually begin to decline. Lowered levels of testosterone – often simply called “Low T” – has received a lot of media attention lately because of its relationship to erectile dysfunction and male sexual performance issues.

But while most men are familiar with the sexual symptoms of “Low T”, they don’t realize that decreases in their testosterone levels are also the cause of muscle loss, stubborn weigh gain, belly fat and even “man boobs.”.

The good news is that hormone level testing can identify if a decline in testosterone or other hormones is a contributing cause of man’s weight gain. And, even better, 100% natural bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help safely bring a man’s hormone levels back into balance so he can lose those extra pounds, build more muscle, and shed unwanted belly fat and keep it off!

In this article Troy, MI area bioidentical hormone expert Dr. Ali explains how hormone imbalance can cause weight gain in men – and how HRT can help you lose weight, build muscle and get rid of unwanted belly fat.

Men’s Testosterone, HRT & Weight Loss

Many men don’t realize that all males experience a type of “male menopause” as they get older. Called “andropause”, the decline in a man’s testosterone production can begin any time after age thirty – but is typically much less dramatic or sudden than the hormone declines of female menopause.

When testosterone levels drop too far below normal levels, the condition is sometimes referred to as “Low T.” Many commercials and internet ads claim to help the sexual performance problems and loss of libido caused by Low T. But the ads don’t usually mention that low testosterone levels also make a man’s body less able to build muscle and less aggressive at burning energy (calories) – both of which result in weight gain.

Additionally, when a man’s estrogen and testosterone levels become out of balance and he develops an excess of female hormones, his body is may begin to store unwanted fat around the belly and in even in the breast area. As muscle mass is lost and soft fat tissue is gained, a man’s appearance becomes more “doughy” and less masculine.

Additionally, a man with Low Testosterone levels is also very likely to have less energy and be more fatigued, which makes it harder for them to be active or get exercise, which also contributes to weight gain.

Other Hormone Imbalance Stopping Men’s Weight Loss

Adding to the problem of male weight gain with age is the hormone leptin – which also declines in production gradually as a man gets older. Leptin is the hormone that tells the brain to feel “full” when a person is eating. So, when leptin levels decline, it actually does take more food to feel full. And because you feel hungrier, you may eat more than you did when you were younger.

Increases in levels of the “stress hormone” cortisol can also cause weight gain in men by putting the man’s body into a “survival mode” that causes a slow-down in metabolism. Cortisol is the hormone that regulates blood sugar and interacts with insulin. When cortisol levels increase, blood glucose also goes up, and the insulin drives blood sugar into the cells which causes fat deposits.  As a result, the man’s body packs on fat in a misguided attempt to store energy for later use. Additionally, cortisol also increases appetite which can also lead to weight gain.

Additionally, lowered levels of the growth hormone HGH occur with age, which can also cause a man’s metabolism to gradually slow down as he gets older.

And, a men age they are also more likely to experience hypothyroidism – decline in thyroid hormone production – although this is much more common in women. The thyroid hormones also help govern metabolism – how the body burns and how it stores energy in the form of weight gain or loss. So, when thyroid hormone levels decline (“hypothyroidism”) the body has trouble burning energy (calories), and weight gain accumulates.

HRT for Men’s Weight Loss

As you can see, hormone decline can cause men to start losing muscle, accumulating extra weight, and depositing fat around their middle or in their breasts as early as age 30 when hormone decline gradually starts in men.

Weight gain can certainly lower a man’s self-confidence. And increased belly fat and/or man boobs, coupled with muscle loss, can feel a man feeling less virile and confident. But weight gain is much more than a cosmetic issue! Increased levels of body fat – especially around a man’s mid-section – can dramatically increase a man’s risk for almost every serious chronic disease, including: cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, stroke, Type 2 Diabetes, and even cancer.

Of course, reducing calories and increasing exercise is a healthy component of any man’s weight loss regimen. But if diet and working-out are not enough to lose weight, replacing missing hormones with HRT can often provide the key to dropping unwanted pounds and inches, while rebuilding more muscle mass.

Dr. Ali is a biodentical hormone replacement therapy (HRT) expert at AMAE in the Troy, MI area.  He will identify your unique, individual hormone deficiencies and imbalances through comprehensive, specialized blood tests. Then he will customize an individualized hormone replacement therapy plan that is compounded in the exact doses formulated to restore your body’s hormone levels to perfect balance.

At AMAE in the Troy, MI area Dr. Ali uses only 100% natural, bioidentical hormone replacement pellets that are both safer and more effective than synthetic hormones, and also have far fewer side effects or risks than lab-created hormones.

In addition to being custom compounded for each man’s unique needs, BioTe hormone replacement (HRT) is administered in the form of miniscule, time-released pellets that can last up to 6 months in men. During a single 5-minute procedure he inserts the pellet under the skin in the hip or buttocks – and it goes to work helping weight loss and alleviating other  symptoms of Low T, including fatigue, lack of sex drive and more – while you forget about it! This is the most convenient form of hormone replacement therapy, in that there are no messy creams or gels to apply, no pills to remember every day, no patches to replace weekly, and no painful shots!

Additionally, these invisible, time-released hormone pellets continually deliver bioidentical hormones consistently and evenly under the skin – 24/7 – only as the body needs them! So, there is never the surging roller coaster doses that there are with hormone pills or shots.

Hormone Replacement (HRT) for Men’s Weight Loss | Troy, MI Area

If you are a man in the Troy, MI area who has been unable to lose weight or belly fat as you get older – no matter how much you diet or exercise  – your hormones may be the root of the problem. In many cases, bioidentical hormone replacement can help return your metabolism to what it was you were younger – enabling you to efficiently burn calories – so you can finally lose weight, build muscle, and get rid of unwanted body fat.

As an added bonus, HRT can also help stave of many serious diseases, while also increasing energy, and improving sexual performance and enjoyment.

If you live in the greater Troy, MI area schedule a bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (HRT) consultation at AMAE – and let Dr. Ali help you lose weight, build muscle, improve your sex life, feel better and live a healthier life.

Hormone Replacement (HRT) for Men’s Weight Loss| Troy, MI Area:  248.335.7200