Arv Buttar, NP shares her expertise and knowledge about the connection between TRT and Cholesterol.

The purpose of this post is to review the current research linking testosterone therapy to reduced fat mass, increased lean body mass, positive changes to body composition and weight loss.

Testosterone can influence the amount and type of cholesterol your body produces.

Testosterone and Cholesterol

Understanding how testosterone and cholesterol relate to each other is an area of current research with potential implications for maintaining good health.

There are two main types of cholesterol:

LDL cholesterol is the type that builds up in your blood vessels, causing heart problems. It’s often called “bad” or “Lousy” cholesterol.

HDL cholesterol is known as “good” or “Happy” cholesterol because it carries LDL cholesterol back to your liver, where it’s broken down and removed from your body.

Researchers continue to work on better understanding the role of Testosterone on types of cholesterol and heart disease. Lower endogenous testosterone levels (ie naturally made by the body) are associated with a cholesterol profile that promotes the formation of fatty plaques in the arteries1.

On the flip side, there is a positive relationship between HDL (the good cholesterol) and higher endogenous testosterone levels, as seen in multiple studies: