Understanding the Link Between Low Testosterone and Type 2 Diabetes
Posted: August 13, 2015
The medical community has been warning us about the dangers of obesity for several decades. Numerous studies have shown the adverse effects of extra body fat, especially around the belly, where it lies in proximity to internal organs.
The rise in obesity has in turn spurred an increase in several other chronic health conditions, notably asthma, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes.
With type 2 diabetes, the body makes the hormone insulin, but it doesn’t produce or utilize insulin in an effective manner due to dietary factors, sedentary behaviors, and excessive weight gain. Insulin is the hormone that regulates blood sugar, making sure the levels in our bloodstream are safe and nontoxic.
With the advent of processed and fast foods, the amount of sugars in the American diet exploded. Coupled with our sedentary lifestyles, and the rate of obesity in America has grown exponentially. A new study has also uncovered an additional factor for adult men that may be exacerbating the problem of excess weight and body fat.
A study funded by the medical journal Diabetes Care showed an association between type 2 diabetes and and the hormone testosterone. In a study of diabetic male adults, researchers found that 17 percent of the men in the study had definable low testosterone levels, and an additional 25 percent had borderline low levels of the male sex hormone — a whopping 42 percent combined. Obesity on its own was strongly associated with low testosterone levels in men, suggesting a link between testosterone, weight gain, and the development of diabetes.
As part of the study, the participants were given testosterone therapy to gauge the effects, and 60 percent showed improvement. In men with low testosterone and type 2 diabetes, testosterone replacement therapy made them more sensitive to insulin, improved their blood glucose control and cholesterol levels, and helped them lose weight.
If you are concerned about weight gain — whether you have been classified as diabetic or not — then you should have your testosterone level checked at a Low T Center near you. With a simple blood test on your first visit, we can determine if you are a candidate for treatment.
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Disclaimer: This article is made available for general, entertainment and educational purposes only. The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Low T Center. You should always seek the advice of a licensed healthcare professional.