Low Testosterone Affects A Third Of Young Men With Type 2 Diabetes

One-Third of Type-Two Diabetics Suffer from Testosterone Deficiency

A new study shows that young male patients with Type-Two Diabetes have a significantly high risk of developing Testosterone Deficiency at an early age. This study shows that around one in three patients between 18 and 35 suffer from Clinically Low Levels of Testosterone.

Diabetes-Testosterone Study Information

The primary investigator in this study was Dr. Paresh Dandona. He and his associates performed their research at the New York State University of Buffalo. This study compared 62 diabetic patients. 24 of the men had been previously diagnosed with Type-Two Diabetes, and 28 of the participants were males with Type One Diabetes.

Blood testing revealed that patients with Type-Two Diabetes had much lower endogenous Testosterone Levels than the male patients with Type One Diabetes.

33% of the subjects with Type-Two Diabetes were found to have clinically low levels of Testosterone, and 58% of this group had Testosterone levels that were abnormally low compared to healthy patients.

Type-One Diabetes patients did not suffer from this clinical medical issue, however. Only 8% of Type-One Diabetics were found to have Testosterone levels that were at all abnormal.

Testosterone Deficiency Linked to FSH Deficiency and Luteinizing Hormone Deficiency

Patients in this study that were found to have low levels of Testosterone were also shown to have medically low levels of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone. As a result, these patients clinically suffered from a disorder known as Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism.

This disorder greatly enhances the risk of a number of medical disorders if left untreated, including cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Other symptoms of Hypogonadotrophic Hypogonadism include infertility, impotence, and lack of libido.

Type-Two Diabetics are High-Risk Patients for Low Testosterone

In the end, the researchers concluded that young patients suffering from Type-Two Diabetes are an incredibly at-risk subset of the population for suffering from Low-T, even in their twenties. Both Free Testosterone levels and Total Testosterone levels are significantly affected.

As a result of this deficiency, in combination with deficiencies in Luteinizing Hormone and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone, these patients are at a high risk of a number of cardiovascular and sexual medical conditions. They need to be treated with Testosterone Hormone Replacement Therapy to minimize health risks and help them live healthier and more fertile life.

Facts About Testosterone Deficiency

Testosterone Deficiency is a prevalent symptom of both diabetes and obesity. Around one-third of males with Type-Two Diabetes will also suffer from the symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency as a result. The clinical term for Low-T is known as Hypogonadism.

Symptoms of Low-T

There are a number of symptoms related to Low Testosterone. Among these symptoms are:

Decreased sex drive Low Testosterone reduces sexual desire in males, leading to bedroom dissatisfaction and contributing to rocky relationships

Depression Testosterone plays a significant role in male mood stabilization. Males who suffer from Hypogonadism are more likely to experience feelings of sadness and depression that they cannot shake.

Fatigue and exhaustion Testosterone is a vital component of male metabolism. Although Human Growth Hormone directly causes enhanced metabolism, Low Testosterone causes muscle strength and cardiovascular stamina problems.

Bone health deterioration Patients who suffer from Low-T are at an increased risk of bone disorders such as osteoporosis. Loss of Bone Mineral Density can even make you grow shorter over time!

Reduced strength Testosterone is directly responsible for the differences in muscle strength and muscle mass that separate males and females. Testosterone can amplify the effects of weight training and muscle building. Men who suffer from Low-Testosterone lose their ability to generate and sustain additional muscle.

Decreased erectile sensitivity Healthy Testosterone Levels are necessary for men to experience optimal pleasure in sexuality. Patients with Low-T often complain the sex just doesn't feel like it used to, which puts a damper on sex drive and libido.

Fertility Testosterone is an essential factor in the production of healthy sperm. Individuals with low levels of Testosterone have lower sperm counts than those who have healthy Testosterone levels. In addition, normal Testosterone levels are vital for healthy and fully functional sperm.

Smaller testicles One of the most apparent visible symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency is testicular shrinkage. Without sufficient levels of Testosterone, the Testicles are not as healthy or functional, and one of how this can be seen is through testicular size and shape.

Reduced sexual ability Men with Low Testosterone complain that their disorder prevents them from even engaging in satisfying sexual activity. Testosterone is a big part of what allows a man to get turned on. When Testosterone levels in the body are insufficient, the physiological process which produces a firm, hard erection is hindered.

Increased inflammation Low Testosterone is correlated with increased levels of cortisol, the human body's central agent of inflammation, which can cause pain and slow the body's natural healing processes.

Low-T Exacerbates Symptoms of Diabetes

Testosterone Deficiency has been shown to make the symptoms of diabetes worse. In addition, suffering from Low Testosterone while dealing with Diabetes can increase the risk of heart complications such as stroke, cardiovascular disease, and high cholesterol.

Dr. Paresh Dandona and Dr. Sandeep Dhindsa have dedicated their careers to the study of Diabetes. They have found a number of critical links between Type-Two Diabetes and Testosterone Deficiency.

Type-Two Diabetes Hastens Declining Testosterone Levels

Testosterone levels naturally decline over time, beginning in the late twenties, and this decline continues throughout the lifespan. In otherwise healthy individuals, this decline occurs at a rate of between one or two percent each year, similar to the rate at which Human Growth Hormone levels decline. Several medical conditions increase the rate at which Testosterone Decline occurs, and other disorders significantly reduce Testosterone Levels very quickly.

Type-Two Diabetes significantly depresses natural Testosterone levels, leading to several life-changing and potentially dangerous side effects. Studies like the one we mentioned at the beginning of this article have led endocrine scientists to conclude that four out of every ten men who suffer from obesity will have clinically low levels of Testosterone compared to males of the same age who are not overweight.

The resulting difference is even more profound when diabetes is thrown into the mix. Low-Testosterone levels plague fifty percent of obese males clinically diagnosed with diabetes.

Type-Two Diabetics Suffer Primarily from Secondary Hypogonadism

One may conclude that the primary correlation here would be between weight and testosterone level, but this is not necessarily the case. Although obese and diabetic men are most at risk of Low Testosterone Levels, there is ample evidence that Type-Two Diabetes significantly reduces Testosterone Levels even in patients who do not suffer from weight issues. This suggests that Type-Two Diabetes seriously inhibits the human body's ability to produce testosterone directly.

Type-Two Diabetes Equivalent to Twenty Pounds of Fat

Dr. Dhindsa, one of the primary investigators of the study discussed at the beginning of this article, says that Diabetes has an effect on Testosterone Levels that can be correlated with weight gain. He says that those suffering from Type-Two Diabetes experience a decline in Testosterone levels, equivalent to gaining twenty pounds of body fat.

Another study produced by Dr. Dhindsa shows that endogenous Testosterone production declines at a rapid and non-linear rate dependent upon Body Mass Index. The more an individual weighs, the more likely they will suffer from an acute deficiency of Testosterone.

Most extensive Testosterone-Diabetes Study Ever Conducted.

Dr. Dandona and Dr. Dhindsa have been responsible for the most extensive study regarding Testosterone, Diabetes, and Obesity ever conducted. Before these two doctors began their study, most research regarding Testosterone Deficiency was only concerned with patients who suffered from obesity or patients who suffered from Diabetes. These two doctors focused on how the two diseases interact and amplify the symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency.

Their most extensive study utilized data from the 2003-2004 Hypogonadism in Males study. This clinical study involved over 1800 males from 95 medical clinics. The study was underwritten by the company Solvay Pharmaceuticals.

The scientists recommend that males with diabetes and obesity keep a close eye on their Testosterone Levels. Healthy Testosterone levels are an essential part of living a healthy life, and Low-Testosterone can increase the dangers of both diabetes and obesity while also preventing patients from being able to manage their disease successfully. Dr. Dhindsa's primary goal as a medical researcher is to improve treatment options for male patients who suffer from Hypogonadism and diabetes.

Dr. Dandona is primarily interested in the effects and causes of Low Testosterone in younger men who should be participating in the most reproductive period of their lives.

Questions about Testosterone Deficiency

What is Follicle-Stimulating Hormone?

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (often abbreviated as FSH) is a member of a group of hormones known as Gonadotrophins. Gonadotrophins are hormones responsible for stimulating the sexual organs, which are vital for healthy sexual function.

These hormones are derivatives of Testosterone and Estrogen, which promote the normal function of the testes and the ovaries. FSH is both manufactured and secreted by the pituitary.

In females, FSH increases the formation of egg follicles while also stimulating the ovulation process. In males, FSH primarily stimulates a group of cells known as Sertoli cells.

These cells are responsible for the healthy development of sperm cells. Low Levels of FSH in adults have no real negative consequences outside of fertility issues, but monitoring FSH levels helps doctors identify the exact source of Testosterone Deficiency.

In young boys and girls experiencing puberty, however, low levels of FSH can hinder the proper development of the testes and ovaries, significantly affecting the development of secondary sexual characteristics.

What is Luteinizing Hormone?

Although Follicle-Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone are both Gonadotrophins, a deficiency of Luteinizing Hormone is much more harmful to human physiology. The Luteinizing hormone is sometimes referred to as Lutropin. The pituitary gland produces this hormone by formations known as Gonadotroph Cells. These cells are located in the anterior portion of the pituitary.

In women, Luteinizing Hormone is the base trigger mechanism for ovulation. In males, the hormone is responsible for stimulating the production of Testosterone by triggering the function of Leydig cells. In males, a deficiency of Luteinizing hormone can contribute to a number of adverse symptoms, including Testosterone Deficiency and the symptoms inherent with that Deficiency.

Luteinizing hormone deficiency during puberty can delay and limit natural changes. A Testosterone Deficiency combined with a deficiency of FSH and Luteinizing Hormone is known as Idiopathic Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism.

What is Hypogonadism?

Hypogonadism is the blanket term for any disorder which prevents the human body from optimally producing sex hormones such as Testosterone, Estrogen, and Progesterone. Adult-onset Testosterone Deficiency is a form of Hypogonadism that generally results from the testes' slow and steadily decreased hormone production.

Hypogonadism as a result of Obesity and Type-Two Diabetes is the result of the conversion of existing Testosterone into Estrogen and Cortisol and reduced input from the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.

What is Hypogonadotrophic Hypogonadism?

Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism is a form of gonadal deficiency resulting from an insufficiency of the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus. This range of disorders is also referred to as Secondary Hypogonadism.

Primary Hypogonadism is the result of a hormonal deficiency of the sex organs. Adult-onset, age-related Testosterone Deficiency is generally related to Primary Hypogonadism. Testosterone Deficiency resulting from Type-Two Diabetes is primarily the result of Secondary Hypogonadism, which is why the disorder is very powerful and not related to average testosterone decline due to aging.

There are a few essential steps to normal testicular function. The hypothalamus releases a hormone known as Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone, abbreviated GnRH. GnRH then flows from the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary gland. After stimulation, the pituitary gland secretes and releases the hormones FSH and Luteinizing Hormone.

These hormones then move through the bloodstream down to the male and female sex organs, where they stimulate the average production of sex hormones such as Testosterone and Estrogen, as well as other important hormones which control sexual function.

Suppose there is a hormonal imbalance between the hypothalamus and the sex organs. In that case, this can significantly alter average hormone production, which is detrimental to human health.

Although there are some forms of extreme or total Hypogonadotrophic Hypogonadism, Diabetes and obesity produce a moderate form of Hypogonadotrophic Hypogonadism, which causes a number of detrimental symptoms which are very similar to Age-Related Testosterone Deficiency as a result of Andropause.

Most individuals will not experience the adverse effects of Testosterone Deficiency until their thirties and forties, but patients who suffer from Hypogonadotrophic Hypogonadism often experience hormonal issues from birth. Many others, as is the case with those suffering from Type-Two Diabetes, begin to experience the symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency in their early twenties.

What is the importance of these Testosterone Deficiency Studies?

Dr. Dandona's research study sheds significant light on how Testosterone Deficiency, Obesity, and Diabetes interact. The pathology of Testosterone Deficiency in Type-Two Diabetes does not seem to be related to an insufficiency of the testes but to issues resulting from hormonal balance resulting from the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus.

This causes symptoms of hormonal deficiency, which generally do not begin to occur until patients are in their thirties and forties, to appear while patients are in their twenties.

Fatigue and exhaustion prevent patients from efficiently engaging in exercise, and changes in muscular metabolism prevent them from building muscle due to exercise. Low Testosterone also encourages higher levels of cortisol and estrogen, which are detrimental to male patients and significantly reduce cardiovascular health.

Obesity complicates issues with Low Testosterone and Type-Two Diabetes by increasing the rate at which Testosterone is converted into estrogen by the fat cells. Adipose fat tissue naturally can convert Testosterone into Estrogen and Estrogen-related hormones. The more fat tissue in the body, the less impact endogenous Testosterone produces on the human body.

Scientific evidence shows that Type-Two Diabetes and Obesity are intricately connected in a number of ways, although not all diabetics are obese, and not all obese individuals develop diabetes.

Diabetes reduces the effectiveness of insulin in processing blood sugar, making it harder to maintain a healthy body weight, and deteriorates physical health in numerous ways. Dr. Dandona's study shows that both obesity and Type-Two Diabetes impact Testosterone negatively via their own unique yet interconnected pathways.

Also, the study shows that Testosterone Hormone Replacement Therapy can be a highly beneficial treatment that alleviates some of the effects of Diabetes while also improving metabolism, boosting energy levels, and encouraging weight loss to help obese patients lose weight and improve their BMI.

If you suffer from Type-Two Diabetes, we encourage you to monitor your testosterone levels closely. Although you may be in control of your insulin levels, you may be allowing Low Testosterone to decrease the quality of your life significantly. To learn more about Testosterone Hormone Replacement Therapy, contact the Conscious Evolution Institute with any questions!

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