Does Low Testosterone Influence Type 2 Diabetes?

By Anju Mathur, MD | May 13, 2009

Having lower than normal levels of testosterone may indeed affect the likelihood of developing Type 2 Diabetes in men, as recent studies have shown that those with normal testosterone levels seem to have a lower incidence of Type 2 Diabetes.

A report in the Journal of Diabetes Care, authored by scientific researchers, states that when men have low to normal testosterone levels they will have a higher tendency to develop diabetes than men with higher testosterone levels, regardless of their level of obesity. Dr. Elizabeth Selvin, a doctor from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, commented that research studies are increasingly showing lower testosterone levels could be an indicator of the future onset of diabetes; she also noted that men suffering from diabetes usually have low testosterone levels.

Hypogonadism is the medical term for low testosterone, and it is presumed to be an issue with roughly 13 million adult males in the US. As a man ages, he experiences certain health issues including less healthy function, lower libido, lower density of bodily and facial hair and weaker bone strength. The condition an also cause muscular wasting and above all, can lead to diabetes.

Over the course of a man’s adult life, his levels of testosterone, one of the most important male hormones also known as androgens, will be greatly diminished. Men experience something similar to a woman when going through menopause, and this is called Andropause. It is estimated that low testosterone levels can be found in as many as one-third of all men aged 45 and up.

Researchers have found that about one-third of all male Type 2 Diabetics are affected by low testosterone levels. Thus, any man suffering from Type 2 Diabetes has a higher chance of simultaneously having a lower than optimal testosterone level.

A more recent study has also indicated that there is double the risk for more mature men of suffering from testosterone depletion if they are obese, have high blood pressure, or diabetes.

When a man suffers from persistent health conditions, he also is more prone to having lower than desired testosterone levels. This is apparent especially in those over the age of 45, where over one-third of men have been found to have low testosterone, according to researchers.

Even the best doctors can be uninformed of the great benefits testosterone brings. As a man ages, testosterone can reduce the negative changes that occur, and using testosterone therapy is neither expensive nor unsafe. If testosterone therapy were to increase in popularity, one may find that the profits of drug companies will be reduced, as this therapy is so effective in treating maturing men!

In addition to testing the blood for lipid (fat) levels and glucose content, and measuring prostate antigens, every man over 35 would benefit from a testosterone test. Measuring one’s testosterone (along with these other tests) after a certain age can be used to determine one’s overall health condition and be an indicator for whether testosterone supplementation can be successfully utilized.

When analyzing an individual’s testosterone levels based on lab results, one must use the exact number assigned to one’s total testosterone which can range from 251 to 1000 ng/dL. Just as critical is the amount of bioavailable, or usable testosterone circulating in the body.

Physicians do have a shortfall when it comes to the proper medical analysis of a man concerned with his health. This is apparent in that they do not often think of measuring one’s glucose tolerance and insulin levels. Metabolic syndrome can be indicated when one’s glucose tolerance is not at an optimal level, and this can also point to insulin resistance or even pre-diabetes as well. High levels of blood sugar trigger glucose, in its molecular form, to connect to hemoglobin. This forms the glycated form of hemoglobin, known as glycosylated hemoglobin, present in one’s red blood cells; the scientific term is hemoglobin A1c written as HbA1c. When HbA1c levels go over six percent in an individual, there is a condition of higher blood sugar levels that continues for a longer duration. This points to a greater risk of diabetes and its associated difficulties.

As long as a man with adult-onset diabetes administers self-care with the aid of dietary restrictions and medications, he can gain positively from testosterone replacement therapy. Improving one’s HbA1c levels is definitely possible and those that are diabetic may once again live without the usual mandatory hypoglycemic medications. Some men must take insulin to control their blood sugar levels, but even this requirement can be reduced once testosterone therapy becomes effective, allowing one to cut their insulin intake by up to half as much. Other benefits include a better workout, less excessive weight around the waistline, and a more energized demeanor overall.

Regaining the level of testosterone present in one’s youth can have great positive effects on a man’s life. Not only can it reduce the risk of developing diabetes, but it can also aid those who are already diabetic by lowering their need for medications. With an optimal level of testosterone, a man can look forward to once again looking young and energetic. As a result of clinical studies, it is shown that he can also benefit with an improvement of his blood sugar levels, libido ability and function, and ability to recover from wounds.

Learn more about Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy and anti-aging medicine at Angel Longevity Medical Center

categories: men’s health,diabetes,testosterone,andropause,natural,hormone replacement therapy,health,healthy life style,alternative medicine

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