The Link Between Low Testosterone and Diabetes
Research shows that low testosterone and diabetes are connected. Find out how and learn about treatment options.
connection might not seem obvious at first, but low testosterone and diabetes
often go hand in hand. In fact, men with type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to
have low testosterone as men who don't have diabetes.
the link between these two conditions does not mean that low testosterone
actually causes diabetes. It is possible that some of the lifestyle factors
that increase the risk of diabetes also increase the risk of low testosterone.
good news? In addition to sticking to a heart-healthy diet and exercise,
certain treatments may help both low testosterone and diabetes.
Testosterone and Diabetes: What’s the Link?
testosterone levels in men are associated with insulin resistance or reduced
insulin sensitivity, says Ahmer Farooq, DO, assistant professor of urology at
Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Ill.
you have insulin resistance, your body produces insulin but doesn't use it
properly. As a result, glucose builds up in your blood rather than being
absorbed by cells. Insulin resistance can
lead to type 2 diabetes and increase your risk for a number of health problems,
including heart disease.
study published in 2013 in the journal BioMed Research International found that low testosterone
levels may help predict if a man will develop insulin resistance or type 2
diabetes in the future. According to the researchers, in a group of more than 300
obese and non-obese men, 44 percent had both type 2 diabetes and low testosterone,
compared with 33 percent who had low testosterone but did not have diabetes. The
researchers also noted that 25 percent of those with type 2 diabetes and low testosterone
were not obese, concluding that low testosterone is linked to insulin
resistance regardless of body weight.
body weight can be a factor. A 2010 study published in the journal Diabetes Care found an inverse
relationship between body mass index (BMI) and testosterone levels in men with
type 2 diabetes. That means that as a man's BMI increases, his testosterone
level falls. Obesity may also be a reversible risk factor for low testosterone
also suggests that low testosterone could be a complication of type 2 diabetes
involving the pituitary gland. A 2004 study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology &
Metabolism found that one-third of 103 men with type 2 diabetes
had low levels of what’s called free testosterone, or testosterone circulating
in the blood that is not bound to a protein called sex hormone binding
globulin. Researchers also found that the pituitary glands of these men were
not producing enough luteinizing hormone, the hormone that triggers the
production of testosterone in the testes.
Diabetes and Low Testosterone
Low testosterone symptoms can
include decrease in sex drive, erectile dysfunction, loss of muscle mass,
depression, and a lack of energy, Dr. Farooq says. Low testosterone can also
cause a decline in bone mass and osteoporosis as well as an increase in belly
Farooq says a heart-healthy diet
and exercise should be part of the overall treatment for both low testosterone
and diabetes. In fact, a 2011 study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology &
Metabolism found that certain lifestyle changes, such as losing
weight and getting regular exercise, not only raise testosterone levels but
also result in a number of other health benefits for overweight men with low testosterone
and type 2 diabetes. Another study published in 2013 in the journal Hormone and Metabolic Research
showed that overweight men who ate fewer calories each day experienced
significant increases in their testosterone levels.
addition to lifestyle changes, your prescribed diabetes treatment plan may
include oral medications and/or insulin therapy. A 2014 study published in the European Journal of Endocrinology
showed that in people who had just been diagnosed with diabetes, insulin
treatment for diabetes also increased levels of sex hormone binding globulin, which translates to more testosterone in the
testosterone continues to be a problem for you, your doctor may prescribe testosterone
replacement therapy, Farooq says. It's important to follow up with your doctor
or a certified diabetes educator when you're on these treatments. In some
cases, testosterone replacement may increase
your insulin sensitivity, and your treatment strategy for type 2 diabetes may
need to be adjusted.
says that testosterone replacement therapy isn’t for everyone. Before being
prescribed medication for low testosterone, men must first be diagnosed through
a blood test. Men who may not be candidates for testosterone replacement
include those with prostate cancer or breast cancer. Although results are
mixed, some research has shown that testosterone replacement therapy may
stimulate the growth of prostate cancer and breast cancer. Other potential
risks of treatment include infertility and sleep apnea.
need to know that there’s hope for whatever they have and that they shouldn’t
feel ashamed,” Farooq says. “If they have any worries about their testosterone
levels or any sort of medical issue, they should get it checked out."
to work with your doctor, and you can effectively treat and manage both your
diabetes and symptoms of low testosterone.
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