Low Testosterone and Diabetes

It has been shown in studies that low testosterone can make diabetes worse. Since testosterone plays a key role in reducing body fat in men, at the same time improving the way the body handles insulin; lack of it can bring adverse effects in diabetics.

Low testosterone affects diabetes. A testosterone is a testes-produced white hormone which role is to develop and maintain the male sex characteristics such as prostate, testis, and growth of bone, muscle and body hair. It is important for the person’s well-being and is also known to prevent osteoporosis.
It is found out that most group of those with low testosterone are diabetics. It is said that pituitary gland is not doing its job properly. The pituitary gland normally controls all the other body hormones. Most men are at risk of low muscle mass, high fat mass, low bone density, erectile dysfunction and depression.

Diabetes and testosterone

Glenn R. Cunningham, MD Baylor College of Medicine vice-chairman for research and a professor of cellular and molecular biology noted that diabetic men have the tendency to have low testosterone than those without diabetes.
The testosterone level of any man drops as he gets older. If that person is overweight or obese, his testosterone levels get much lower. Diabetes worsens these effects.. Studies found that men’s testes is not defective, but their pituitary glands. When the pituitary glands do not produce enough luteinizing hormone, the testosterone is affected since the luteinizing hormone is the one which commands the testes to produce testosterone.

Low testosterone has something to do with erectile dysfunction and abdominal or higher fat mass; which are dangerous for diabetics since it carries with it risk for heart disease. Low testosterone is also linked to low lean muscle mass, mood disorders, low bone density, depression and cognitive problems. Worst, low testosterone is associated with insulin resistance and that is diabetes.

Testosterone test for men

Men are advised to get testosterone tests if they have sexual dysfunction symptoms. Likewise, diabetic men should have the test as part of medical care since they may already have low testosterone even when the symptoms are not showing yet. It is sometimes a hidden epidemic.

Poor circulation and never damage make diabetic men more prone to erectile dysfunction. Many men do not open up to their doctors and suffer in silence since there are none or less medical solutions for the problem. However, there are already testosterone supplements available which the doctor can recommend after low testosterone level s are checked.