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Dealing with low testosterone can be a frustrating ordeal, but having to deal with both diabetes and low testosterone can be more than just a little bit debilitating.
For those unaware, testosterone plays a key role in various systemic body functions, playing key roles in regulating muscle mass, bone density, and sex drive.
Low testosterone is also associated heavily with diabetes, with up to 50% of men with type 2 diabetes also having low T.
Having low testosterone values and imbalanced blood sugar levels can impair bodily functions in more ways than one. That said, an effective way to manage both of these diseases is the oft medically prescribed testosterone treatment.
Let’s explore the connection between diabetes and testosterone, as well as dive into how TRT can be beneficial for a patient suffering from these seemingly dissimilar conditions.
What Is Low Testosterone?
Low testosterone is categorized as a state in which the testosterone levels in the body drop below 300 ng/dL.
Testosterone is a hormone produced by the testicles that are responsible for the development of male sex organs and characteristics, such as facial hair and a deep voice.
When testosterone levels decline past normal conditions, it can lead to a bevy of unwanted conditions, such as:
- Decreased muscle mass
- Increased body fat
- Decreased bone density
- Fatigue
- Low sex drive
- Difficulty maintaining an erection
Testosterone deficiency can disrupt your physical life as well as your sexual life. Fortunately, low T can be treated with testosterone replacement therapy.
According to one study, men have experienced the positive effects of testosterone following proper treatment such as a boost in energy levels and increased strength.
However, the same study has found adverse risks when taking testosterone therapy. It’s not meant to be prescribed to anyone.
Talk about the potential risks and benefits with a local testosterone specialist before starting this form of therapy.
Low Testosterone and Diabetes: The Signs & The Link
Diabetes is a medical condition caused by the body’s inability to effectively monitor blood sugar levels.
Some signs of type 2 diabetes mellitus include:
- Frequent urination
- Increased thirst
- Hunger
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Slow healing
- Dry and itchy skin
There are two distinct forms of diabetes: type 1 and type 2, each with its own specific set of symptoms.
In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar. In type 2 diabetes, the body has insulin, but it’s unable to use it effectively.
However, researchers found a link between low T and diabetes, particularly the type 2 variant. A recent study showed that 43% of type 2 diabetic men have reduced testosterone levels.
Testosterone in your body assists in aiding the tissues of your body to react more efficiently to insulin, resulting in increased uptake of blood glucose to normal levels.
For men struggling with low testosterone levels, this can be a difficult task because of their insulin resistance. As a result, their body produces a higher amount of insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels.
Fortunately, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can help reduce the strain of increased insulin production by facilitating the growth of free testosterone and total testosterone.
Talk about it with your health practitioner to know whether you’re eligible for this treatment option.
How Effective is TRT For Treating Low T and Diabetes?
Testosterone replacement therapy utilizes a combination of patches, gels, and testosterone supplementation to bring testosterone levels back to their normal range.
There are a multitude of studies proving that TRT therapy is helpful for men who are suffering from low T and diabetes.
One survey shows that TRT was able to reduce insulin resistance by 15.2% within 6 months of therapy and around 16.4% after a year.
Other health benefits that these men have observed from the study above included:
- Improved glycemic control
- Improved cholesterol levels
- Higher sexual function
Another recent study found that taking TRT improved both glycemic control and insulin resistance. Additionally, one-third of these men experienced a remission of their diabetes following TRT.
Natural Treatments to Combat Diabetes
While TRT can help you with diabetes and low T, it comes with risks that can lead to unwanted side effects.
Fortunately, TRT is not the only way to treat diabetes. Here are a few strategies you can try to regulate your diabetes and make you feel better and younger.
1. Eat a Healthy Diet
A healthy and well-rounded diet is an essential component of managing diabetes. This means eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins. This may include incorporating ginger into your diet, given the benefits of ginger for improving low testosterone.
It’s also important to limit your intake of sugary foods and beverages, as well as processed and high-fat foods.
2. Exercise Regularly
Regular physical activity can be a great way to combat the symptomatic effects of diabetes. It’s particularly good at improving your insulin sensitivity and mitigating excessive weight gain.
Aim for at least 30 to 60 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per day. Continuously exercising can also be a good way to supplement the natural rise of your body’s testosterone levels.
3. Stay Hydrated
And we don’t mean chugging those sugary drinks.
Hydrating regularly with water can help get rid of sugar in the urine. It also helps stabilize blood sugar levels in the body.
4. Get Enough Sleep
For those struggling with diabetes, getting enough sleep is crucial for ensuring overall health and wellness.
Suffering from a lack of sleep can adversely affect blood sugar control. As such, aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
In addition to minimizing the drastic effects of diabetes, low testosterone is also connected with improper sleep conditions. So, if you need any more reason to get some shut eye, there you go.
Managing diabetes takes effort and commitment, but the benefits are worth it.
Speak to a medical doctor for more tips on how to manage your diabetes and low T.
Tampa’s Leading Men’s Health Clinic Can Help Men Regain Sexual Vitality Long Term
Testosterone therapy has the potential to be an effective tool for treating low T and diabetes in men at the same time.
Although this treatment should not be the only source of treatment you should consider, it can be a useful aid in stabilizing your blood sugar levels, most notably if you have low testosterone as well.
That said, it’s important to stay cautious of the potential risks of the therapy.
Need further assistance? Contact Tampa male clinic Prestige Men’s Medical Center now to schedule an appointment to have a consultation with their experienced and specially trained medical staff. We are one of Florida’s leading men’s clinics providing ED therapy, PE therapy, Low Testosterone therapy, RestoreWave therapy, hormone therapy, and much more.
