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Weight loss decreases follicle stimulating hormone in overweight postmenopausal women
Author(s) -
Kim Catherine,
Randolph John F.,
Golden Sherita H.,
Labrie Fernand,
Kong Shengchun,
Nan Bin,
BarrettConnor Elizabeth
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1002/oby.20917
Subject(s) - overweight , medicine , endocrinology , metformin , placebo , follicle stimulating hormone , weight loss , estrogen , hormone , obesity , diabetes mellitus , luteinizing hormone , alternative medicine , pathology
Objectives To examine the impact of a weight loss intervention upon follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in postmenopause. Methods Participants were postmenopausal, overweight, glucose‐intolerant women not using exogenous estrogen ( n = 382) in the Diabetes Prevention Program. Women were randomized to intensive lifestyle change (ILS) with the goals of weight reduction of at least 7% of initial weight and 150 min per week of moderate‐intensity exercise, metformin 850 mg twice a day, or placebo administered twice a day. Results Randomization to ILS led to small increases in FSH between baseline and 1‐year follow‐up vs. placebo (2.3 IU/l vs. −0.81 IU/l, P < 0.01). Increases in FSH were correlated with decreases in weight ( r = −0.165, P < 0.01) and estradiol (E2) ( r = −0.464, P < 0.0001) after adjustment for age, race/ethnicity, and randomization arm. Changes in FSH were still significantly associated with changes in weight even after adjustment for E2 levels. Metformin users had reductions in weight but non‐significant changes in FSH and E2 levels vs. placebo. Conclusions Weight loss leads to small increases in FSH among overweight, postmenopausal women, potentially through pathways mediated by endogenous estrogen as well as other pathways.