The conversation around GLP-1 medications has grown fast over the past year (understatement!), and while much of the public dialogue has focused on women, men are very much part of it, too. Many are turning to these medications, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, with questions about metabolism, muscle, hormones and what their own experience might look like.
To help break things down, we spoke with Palm Harbor, FL bariatric physician and Ambari Nutrition founder Kevin Huffman, DO. Ahead, he shares what men can expect, plus the muscle, hormone and fat-loss patterns worth keeping in mind from the start.
Why Men Lose Weight Faster on GLP-1s
Many men notice changes early on in their GLP-1 journey, sometimes in how their clothes fit, sometimes in their energy—well before the scale shows anything dramatic. Dr. Huffman says that tracks with what he sees in practice. “Men shed pounds from the inside out, losing predominantly visceral fat first, then liver fat and only then subcutaneous abdominal fat,” he explains. “This might account for why some men experience early success, especially in energy levels.” He also sees glucose and blood pressure improve early, which helps keep patients motivated.
Do GLP-1s Affect Testosterone?
Testosterone is one of the first topics men bring up when starting GLP-1 therapy, and Dr. Huffman says the relationship is often misunderstood. “It’s not that the GLP-1s are lowering testosterone per se,” he explains. “But for men with obesity-related hypogonadism, testosterone will normalize as their visceral fat and aromatase activity both diminish.” In other words, many men feel better because their hormone levels are returning to a healthier baseline, not because the medication itself has a direct hormonal effect.
He adds that levels can shift temporarily in the opposite direction for men who lose weight very quickly or aren’t eating enough. “In guys who are losing weight very rapidly or eating very few calories per day, free tes
How to Protect Muscle While Using GLP-1s
As appetite tapers on GLP-1s, Dr. Huffman says it’s common for men to unintentionally fall short on the protein they need to maintain muscle. “For men, the main risk is loss of lean mass,” he explains. “Suppressing appetite can reduce protein intake to below what is required to maintain muscle mass.” To help offset that, he recommends two simple habits: spreading protein throughout the day and making strength training a regular part of the week. Both, he says, go a long way.
Who Makes a Good Candidate for GLP-1s?
Dr. Huffman says certain men tend to do especially well with GLP-1 therapy, particularly those dealing with central obesity, insulin resistance, fatty liver disease or obesity-related low testosterone. He also sees strong results in men whose eating habits are driven more by reward-seeking than true physical hunger.
Regardless of the reason for starting, he stresses that the medication is most effective when it’s paired with steady nutrition and regular strength training. Put simply: using GLP-1s as one part of an intentional routine—not the whole plan—leads to more sustainable results for men and for anyone taking them.
