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Testosterone replacement therapy can be helpful to those suffering from the effects of aging, such as the loss of muscle mass and bone density, as well as depression and anxiety due to low Testosterone levels in men. However, it has also been shown to positively affect diabetes in men who suffer from low Testosterone levels in two ways: by helping them lose weight and by managing their blood sugar more effectively. The rest of this article will discuss each of these effects in detail.
What Is Testosterone?
Testosterone is a sex hormone that helps control sex drive, bone mass, fat distribution, muscle mass, and strength. Every cell in our bodies has receptors for testosterone, affecting nearly every system in our body.
According to new research from The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM), low Testosterone levels, which is detected by blood medical testing, can lead to diabetes complications. What’s more? Study participants with low T were up to 45% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those with normal Testosterone levels. Those patients had lower insulin sensitivity than those with higher T-levels who also took part in the study.
The Negative Effects of Low T on Men With Diabetes
Low Testosterone (low T) is a problem that’s becoming more common. According to recent research, as many as 15 million men in America have low T—commonly caused by obesity, aging, lifestyle choices, and anabolic steroid use. The problem with low T for men with diabetes is that it can lead to increased insulin resistance and make it more difficult to control blood sugar levels. Also, men will experience other symptoms such as erectile dysfunction, weight gain, and depression among others.
If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, talk to your doctor about whether or not you should be tested for low T. If you are found to have low T, they may recommend treatment so that you can start feeling better both physically and mentally!
Testosterone levels are critical to both sexual health and overall quality of life, making it even more important for men with diabetes to ensure that they keep their bodies as healthy as possible.
Benefits of TRT for Men with Type 2 diabetes
Testosterone and diabetes type 2 are a dangerous combination, since it causes increased insulin resistance, decreased glucose uptake by muscle tissue, and an increased risk of heart disease.
It’s widely known that optimal levels of Testosterone are correlated with insulin sensitivity in both men and women; therefore low Testosterone levels may contribute to metabolic problems in both sexes. The bottom line is that T supplementation is a great option for men with lower-than-normal T levels who are overweight or obese and who have Type 2 diabetes.
Other Benefits of TRT for Men with Type 2 diabetes include:
- Increased muscle mass
- Increased fat loss
- Increased libido
- Decreased body fat (visceral) percentage
- Decreased fasting blood glucose levels
- Improvements in blood lipid levels
- Improvement in HbA1c
- Improved overall cardiovascular health status.
Cost Of Hormone Replacement Treatment
The costs of hormone replacement treatment vary widely, depending on your age, how long you take Testosterone supplements, and whether or not you take other medications in addition to Testosterone.
Assessing and Managing Lifestyle Risk Factors
Remember, diabetes is a lifestyle disease. Anything that impacts your weight, activity level, diet, or stress levels can contribute to complications and worsening health over time. So it’s important to watch out for not only high blood sugar but also high blood pressure, high cholesterol, excess body fat around your waist (in women), or higher-than-normal levels of triglycerides—all are risk factors for diabetes. If you already have diabetes, ask your doctor about getting a complete evaluation of all your lifestyle risk factors on an annual basis.
It is important for diabetic men to have an active lifestyle. Make a point to get regular exercise, avoid smoking, maintain a healthy diet and normal weight, wear sunscreen when outdoors, monitor blood sugar levels regularly, drink alcohol in moderation, if at all. Speak with your doctor or visit us at Renew Vitality TRT clinic in Clovis if you are interested in testosterone replacement therapy or other treatment options.
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