by Anju Mathur, MD
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.
Any man currently suffering from Type 2 Diabetes might also be at risk for sub-normal testosterone levels. In fact, the latest research indicates that roughly 40% of male Type 2 Diabetics also have lower than normal testosterone levels.
In fact, men that are older and are affected by obesity, diabetes, and/or high blood pressure could have two times the tendency to have lower than normal testosterone levels when compared with other men their age, as stated in a recent health study.
Also, it has been discovered that men experiencing chronic health conditions have a higher risk of lowered testosterone levels, as do roughly one-third of all men 45 years of age or more.
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!
It is a wise choice for any man over 35 to get his testosterone level checked and analyzed. Additionally, he should get his blood lipids, prostate antigen and glucose levels tested. Once he has this information he can determine what his current state of health is, and if testosterone replacement would be a beneficial treatment for him.
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.
Unfortunately, it is not often that doctors perform the necessary glucose tolerance test and measure one’s insulin levels. If a man does not show the optimal level of glucose in circulation, he might be at risk of having metabolic syndrome or pre-diabetes, and could even have a resistance to insulin. A higher blood sugar level indicates that hemoglobin is joined to one’s glucose molecules and this results in the formation of glycosylated hemoglobin, also termed glycated hemoglobin A1c (written as HbA1c). When these levels go over six percent, it is likely that one’s blood sugar will remain high for a long time, and this points to a riskier state of health regarding diabetes and its associated symptoms.
It has been proven that the utilization of testosterone to aid those who suffer from diabetes (adult-onset) can be very beneficial, especially if they are already actively improving their condition through proper diet and the use of medication. One can expect that through testosterone therapy a noticeable improvement of HbA1c levels can be achieved, which can lead to one no longer having to take oral hypoglycemic medication. Another benefit is the reduction in the need for insulin, by as much as one-half what was previously necessary. A man might find a renewed vigor for life, and notice a slimmer waistline and superior ability to exercise.
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.
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