There are many risk factors when it comes to developing diabetes, such as obesity, age, leading a sedentary lifestyle, and family history. These are just a few of the known causes that can bring on the disease. However, now a new study reports that low levels of testosterone in men may be another contributing factor to this epidemic condition.
Dr. Elizabeth Selvin, from John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, along with her colleagues, analyzed data from 1,413 men who participated in a nutrition health survey. Diabetes had been diagnosed in 101 of the men.
Dr. Selvin and colleagues factored in the influence of age, race, and obesity, and found that men with the lowest levels of testosterone were four times more likely to have diabetes than men with the highest levels.
The data shows, the researchers write, that male hormones directly influence sugar metabolism and the development of insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is usually seen just before diabetes occurs, independent of the effects of obesity.
What can cause low testosterone levels to occur?
Millions of women have been diagnosed with myriad symptoms that are associated with menopause. It has only been recently, however, that men have been diagnosed with symptoms relating to andropause. Andropause is a much slower process than menopause. In men, midlife hormone changes usually begin after the age of 40. Men may begin to experience a decrease in body mass and strength, and an increase in body fat, as well as changes in mood and emotions. About 20 to 50% of healthy men between the ages of 50 and 70 have low testosterone levels.
In addition to age-related low testosterone levels, certain medical conditions associated with the testicles, pituitary gland, and/or hypothalmus may be contributing factors.
If you are wondering if you’re testosterone levels might be low, you can take the Androgen Deficiency in Aging Males test (ADAM), as a beginning step.
If you are concerned about symptoms, you may be experiencing, talk to your doctor or health care provider. Testosterone levels can be checked with a simple blood test, though recent studies suggest that this test is not a reliable measure of how much testosterone is actually “free” and available to your cells.
Another test, called the sex hormone binding globulin test (SHBG), can be used in conjunction with the standard blood test to arrive at a more accurate reading of your levels. The normal range for total testosterone is 300 to 1000 ng/dl.
As men live longer, more is being understood about the aging process. This knowledge, in turn, will improve the amount and quality of treatments being offered to offset the symptoms of male hormonal imbalance. Speak to your doctor if you have any concerns about your diabetes risk. He/she can help you make the right lifestyle and diet changes to help prevent the onset of the disease.
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Tags: diabetics help, obesity
