Table of Contents
As you age, your body becomes more susceptible to developing health conditions that can adversely impact your physical faculties.
Diabetes is one such condition that afflicts many men today. This health condition is primarily known for causing blood sugar levels to spike due to the body’s inability to process glucose.
While diabetes can be managed with the right treatment plans, it’s not possible to completely eliminate it from your body once you have it.
Furthermore, diabetes can also increase the risk of men developing a slew of other health issues—with low testosterone being one particularly notorious development.
In case you didn’t know, low testosterone, or hypogonadism, is a hormonal deficiency categorized by a substantially low amount of blood testosterone circulating the body.
If you want to know the connection between low testosterone and diabetes, and also how to treat low testosterone levels, read this article for some life-saving tips.
The Insidious Connection Between Diabetes and Low Testosterone
Before we link diabetes and low testosterone, let’s first establish the reality that there are two types of diabetes, namely:
- Type 1 diabetes: This form of diabetes is an autoimmune disease wherein the pancreas produces little to no insulin.
- Type 2 diabetes: This form of diabetes forms when the body faces insulin resistance, typically due to poor lifestyle changes and obesity.
Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are linked with an increased chance of testosterone disruption over time. There are two main reasons for this.
Firstly, men with low sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels in the body are more likely to experience type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance.
When there’s a lower amount of SHBG in the body, it can also disrupt the amount of circulating testosterone. This can lead to an increase in body mass and a decrease in bone density as the uptake of this male hormone is stunted.
Secondly, diabetes disrupts the normal release of insulin. Insulin is important as it allows hormones like testosterone to utilize blood glucose for energy.
If there’s not enough insulin, or if the body has reduced insulin sensitivity, then the pancreas won’t be able to make enough insulin to satisfy the demands of the floating testosterone, rendering the process inefficient.
To make matters worse, insulin-resistant individuals face the added struggle of being unable to break down sugar in the body. The sugar then passes through the blood vessels and the rest of the body, slowly chipping away the cellular walls and damaging nerves as they go.
This increased nerve damage can cause cardiovascular disease, which can lead to further health complications in both one’s sexual health and overall health.
When Does Low Testosterone Qualify as a Medical Condition?
Declining testosterone levels is an alarming health risk. The unfortunate news is that it’s not an uncommon phenomenon in today’s world.
According to past longitudinal studies, men naturally experience a decline in total testosterone levels with age. This decline is estimated to be about 1.6% each year for total testosterone levels, and 2%–3% for free, bioavailable testosterone levels.
The normal threshold of testosterone levels in the body falls anywhere between 300 ng/dL to 1,000 ng/dL.
If blood testosterone levels fall below the lower limit of 300 ng/dL, this can qualify as a testosterone deficiency and would need medical intervention.
Given the decline of testosterone levels with age, it’s not uncommon for senior-aged folks to have low levels of this male hormone.
If low testosterone symptoms cause your quality of life to dip, men should seek medical assistance to prescribe them adequate testosterone therapy.
What Are The Signs of Low Testosterone in The Male Body?
While it’s beneficial to grasp how low testosterone impacts the body, understanding its real-life implications is even more critical.
Many men with low testosterone levels face a myriad of symptoms that lower their quality of life. Some of the signs of low testosterone are as follows:
- Body and facial hair loss
- Hot flashes
- Erectile dysfunction
- Moodiness
- Reduced sexual desire
- Increase in body fat
- Reduction in muscle mass
In some cases, low testosterone can be asymptomatic. It can even be mistaken with other medical conditions since many of the symptoms overlap.
Furthermore, if you’re diagnosed with heart disease, obesity, or hypertension, keep a close eye on your testosterone levels too, as these conditions are often associated with low testosterone.
To truly know whether your testosterone levels are too low, it’s best to consult with a medical professional for advice and further testing.
How to Test for Low Testosterone?
Your medical practitioner may prescribe either of the following tests to determine your total and free testosterone count.
- Total testosterone blood tests
- Luteinizing hormone (LH) tests
- SHBG testing
Depending on the result, your doctor may prescribe further testing.
3 Natural Ways to Boost Testosterone
While having low testosterone is a harrowing ordeal, it’s not something that you’ll deal with for life. There are several ways to rise above the condition and live a normal life.
Here are some testosterone-boosting remedies that can be performed at home:
In many scenarios, the above remedies provide the best outcomes when considered in combination with medical therapy. A men’s medical provider may prescribe you testosterone replacement therapy, potentially in the form of injectable testosterone undecanoate.
They’ll also provide additional health tips for men to help you achieve normal testosterone levels.
Consult Orlando, Florida’s Leading Sexual Health and Testosterone Specialists
Living with uncontrolled diabetes and low testosterone can make anyone feel powerless. It can put a halt to anything sex-related, and it can spill over to various parts of your health as well.
If you’re facing this dilemma now, know that it’s not too late to seek help. The local men’s health professionals at Orlando’s Premier Men’s Medical Center are committed to helping you live the life you deserve, no matter your background or profile.
Besides low testosterone replacement treatment, we also offer erectile dysfunction treatment, adrenal fatigue treatment, weight loss treatment, and a host of other male health treatments to transform you into a livelier version of yourself.
Worried about the cost? No problem.
Talk with one of our expert doctors and let us determine your health status. Your initial consultation and first treatment are completely free.
