CommunityDosing & Titration

Looking to increase your testosterone levels? GLP1s may be your brother-from-another-Mother

17 replies11 peopleMay 10, 2026☆ Follow
Summary

Can GLP-1 drugs like retatrutide raise testosterone by fixing insulin resistance and metabolic issues?

One user reports large metabolic gains on retatrutide plus higher total testosterone readings than in prior years. The thread links insulin resistance to lower SHBG and weaker Leydig-cell response, then discusses whether the drug itself or the resulting weight loss and better labs drive the hormone change. Several members share their own total and free testosterone shifts, note possible SHBG rises, and debate whether any gains require staying on the medication indefinitely.

What this discussion establishesWhere people disagree

Whether improvements will persist only while on the drug or can be maintained after stopping once lifestyle changes are in place.

Still open

Long-term durability of any testosterone gains and the net effect on free versus total testosterone once SHBG changes.

Nothing here is advice.

17 replies · 11 people
BrightLantern89archiveopening postMay 10

My own results from using retatrutide to fix metabolic health have been striking. After four months my A1C moved from the mid-7s and fasting glucose from the low 100s down to normal, and my lipids went from very high cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides to good numbers. Two recent total testosterone readings landed in the high 600s at different times of day. That prompted me to look into whether retatrutide or GLP-1 drugs in general could raise male hormones without any extra supplementation. Insulin resistance appears to lower testosterone in a few ways: it tells the liver to make less SHBG, which carries testosterone, and it weakens the response of Leydig cells. I pulled some studies on the second point but the link got cut off.

WrySignal84archiveMay 10

That's quite intriguing! Appreciate you posting this here.

IronThistle53archiveMay 10
↳ replying to @BrightLantern89 (opening post)

I appreciate the solid investigation. Planning to examine the details shared here a bit closer. Quite a bit of it exceeds my knowledge since it falls outside my usual expertise, yet artificial intelligence tools assist me in breaking it down and noting the advantages alongside the drawbacks. I aim to examine the extent of the effects and adjust things to fit my personal routine. Participating in this community along with my own path toward better health has shown me that making minor adjustments in various spots often yields substantial gains.

LevelSignal46archiveMay 10

Thanks for sharing

SharpSignal83archiveMay 10

At this point I can only voice my hope that what you mentioned is accurate.

BrightLantern89archiveMay 10
↳ replying to @SharpSignal83

I don't have much evidence backing up my outcomes since I'm relying on just three hormone checks across a dozen years with readings of 345 back in late 2014 then 630 in late February and 673 in late April. Physicians always mention how these levels can vary due to numerous influences such as the hour season extra pounds high blood pressure getting older and so on. What makes me optimistic about a possible link is that before starting this and for over a decade prior I fit into several of those categories like having high blood pressure carrying extra weight my age and having insulin issues or being prediabetic. I'll have more tests at the end of this month and likely again towards December to check on additional indicators using an easy and affordable service then I'll update everyone. In the meantime I'm sticking with my current path anticipating further fat reduction and better overall metabolic function. These are promising days.

CopperPebble12archiveMay 10

The link between that substance, body chemistry balance, and hormone levels checks out logically, above all because the A1C and lipid readings shifted together in such a clear pattern.

PatientBeacon15archiveMay 10

Appreciate the details shared. Have you tried that thorough men's test bundle? Could you secure it at a reduced rate? I tend to watch my spending closely.

PatientFenwick39archiveMay 10

What about the unbound testosterone reading? More of that binding globulin often cuts down on the active amount.

BrightLantern89archiveMay 10
↳ replying to @PatientFenwick39

Back in April I only managed to obtain the basic total testosterone reading after pushing my doctor hard. The results from February 2026 are included here. At the end of this month I'm scheduled for a comprehensive testosterone assessment together with IGF-1 and several other indicators.

SharpHarbour71archiveMay 10
↳ replying to @BrightLantern89 (opening post)

The benefits look solid but what concerns me most is needing to hold onto the amount that delivered those top readings since that might create issues down the road or possibly quit delivering results later on.

PatientFenwick39archiveMay 10
↳ replying to @BrightLantern89

Hi. I doubt the progress will reverse unless he slips back into previous behaviors. He noted before that his blood sugar sat near problematic ranges and his cholesterol readings looked poor. The medication simply triggered fixes in those spots. Keeping up better routines from here on should let him hold steady at the improved levels.

BrightLantern89archiveMay 10
↳ replying to @SharpHarbour71

I see any boost to my testosterone levels as just a side effect from these GLP1 compounds. Going forward I plan to stay on a small amount of Reta or maybe an oral version later as permanent upkeep since stopping them suddenly hasn't worked out. Those readings from February 2026 came after four weeks starting at one milligram each week then moving up to two before the end-of-month labs.

WarmSparrow60archiveMay 10
↳ replying to @PatientFenwick39

Ever since I began Tirz my overall levels have climbed from 229 up to 423 while the free amount fell from 7.3 down to 4.8. I'm now wondering whether to begin TRT too even though that would push my monthly spending higher once more. Might as well take the chance. Still can't decide.

PatientFenwick39archiveMay 10
↳ replying to @WarmSparrow60

Has your binding globulin level risen? My situation matches these figures better now. My overall testosterone reading sits near 850, yet the binding globulin climbed between 54 and 67 in those units, which made my unbound amount crash down to roughly 1.45.

WarmSparrow60archiveMay 10
↳ replying to @PatientFenwick39

That wasn't included in their checks. They examined just the overall and unbound testosterone. I guess I'll need to request this one along with my IGF-1.

SharpHarbour71archiveMay 10
↳ replying to @BrightLantern89

It's surprising how well it works even with minimal amounts. Yeah taking two milligrams every five or six days seems sustainable for the long haul. I hope those benefits keep going.

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