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Bariatric Surgery

Reflections on “Sex-differential testosterone response to long-term weight loss”: Illuminating findings and considered limitations

International Journal of Obesity volume 49, pages 536–537 (2025)Cite this article

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I have carefully read the article “Sex-differential testosterone response to long-term weight loss” by Brzozowska et al. [1] published in the International Journal of Obesity. The article meticulously examines the sex-differential response of testosterone levels to substantial, and long-term weight loss in people with obesity, both through dietary intervention and bariatric surgery. The 3-year prospective study reveals significant hormonal changes, particularly a decrease in total testosterone in females and an increase in males, with more pronounced effects post-bariatric surgery.

The study’s most striking findings are the sex-specific hormonal responses to weight loss, with females experiencing a significant reduction in androgens regardless of age or menopausal status, and males showing an increase in testosterone levels, which was positively correlated with the extent of weight loss. These results underscore the complex interplay between body weight, metabolism, and sex hormones, and highlight the potential long-term benefits of bariatric surgery on metabolic health beyond immediate weight loss. These findings provide valuable insights into the complex interplay between weight loss, sex hormones, and potential implications for health outcomes.

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  1. The First School of Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang Province, China

    Yi Wang

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Wang, Y. Reflections on “Sex-differential testosterone response to long-term weight loss”: Illuminating findings and considered limitations. Int J Obes 49, 536–537 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-024-01690-5

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