How Testosterone Therapy Can Help Men And Women Manage Type 2 Diabetes

• A recent study suggests that testosterone replacement therapy offers significant advantages for men dealing with type 2 diabetes.
  
  
• This therapy has the potential to effectively manage type 2 diabetes by enhancing both blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
  
  
• It's worth mentioning that testosterone therapy may also be advantageous for women who have type 2 diabetes.

A recent study presented at The European Association for the Study of Diabetes annual meeting suggests that testosterone therapy could offer benefits to individuals dealing with type 2 diabetes and obesity. It's important to note that these findings have not yet undergone peer-reviewed publication.

The study, based on an ongoing international audit of testosterone deficiency in men with type 2 diabetes, revealed that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) led to improved glycemic control in men over up to 2 years.

Data for this study were collected from 37 centres across various countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Malaysia, and Vietnam, all participating in the audit conducted by the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD).

The study included 428 subjects with an average age of 71.

How Testosterone May Be Linked To Type 2 Diabetes

The research team suggested that the decrease in HbA1c (a measure of average blood sugar levels over 2 to 3 months) in the study subjects over time may be attributed to the continuous impact of testosterone on reducing insulin resistance and body fat.

According to a statement released by the scientists, these results offer initial insights into the ongoing debate surrounding whether Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) could potentially have a positive impact on individuals dealing with diabetes and obesity.

The team also noted that approximately two decades ago, researchers established a connection between low testosterone levels in men and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes.

Furthermore, the statement highlighted that an estimated 40% of men with type 2 diabetes experience symptomatic testosterone deficiency, which is also associated with adverse effects on cardiovascular risk factors, osteoporosis, and psychological well-being. It is worth noting that it is also linked to a doubled risk of mortality in men with type 2 diabetes.

How Testosterone Therapy Can Help With Type 2 Diabetes

Officials from the ABCD have highlighted that several studies have indicated that Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) may be beneficial for men dealing with hypogonadism (testosterone deficiency) and coexisting conditions like type 2 diabetes, obesity, and other cardiometabolic disorders.

TRT has demonstrated its potential to reduce insulin resistance, lower HbA1c levels, improve cholesterol profiles, address obesity, reduce mortality rates, and enhance quality of life and sexual function.

Using testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in medical practice has been slow to catch on because of mixed findings about its effect on heart health. But there's good news! A recent extensive study that looked at TRT's impact on the heart found that there wasn't a big difference in heart problems between the group of people who got testosterone and the group who got a fake treatment (placebo).

Even with this strong evidence, not many hormone specialists (endocrinologists) use TRT much, and a lot of diabetes doctors (diabetologists) don't know about the connection between testosterone and diabetes.

The ABCD audit wants to collect real-world data from patients to determine who can benefit from TRT in terms of feeling better, getting rid of symptoms, and having better heart and metabolic health.

What The Testosterone Study Revealed

The ABCD audit collected anonymised data from both new and retrospective patients, including those undergoing Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) and those with testosterone deficiency who did not receive TRT. The audit assessed TRT's real-world effectiveness and safety concerning various health aspects.

The audit examined how TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy) affected symptoms, blood sugar control, weight, and heart-related factors like cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and waist size. They also wanted to see if TRT had any impact on heart problems and diabetes-related issues.

In the audit, people received testosterone through gels and injections into their muscles. And, as per the rules, those getting TRT should have check-ups at 3, 6, and 12 months after they start, and then once a year.

The research findings were what experts expected. They knew that testosterone could help build muscle, and not having enough muscle can make it easier to get type 2 diabetes. Usually, when people have insulin resistance (a big part of diabetes), they're advised to eat fewer carbs, take a medicine called metformin, and do strength training exercises.

Now, because of more extensive studies, there might be more interest in looking at testosterone levels in men with type 2 diabetes and low testosterone. But here's the tricky part: it's hard to tell if low testosterone caused the diabetes or the other way around. That's why doctors who specialise in hormones (endocrinologists) are being careful about using testosterone replacement therapy, especially when it comes to heart risks that were linked to it before.

Who Can Benefit From Testosterone Therapy?

Both men and women can benefit from optimising their testosterone levels, which tend to decline starting in their mid-30s. This decline can have significant effects on health.

Low testosterone can cause muscle loss, speed up ageing, and contribute to age-related conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer's disease. Both men and women should be concerned about declining testosterone levels.

Low testosterone in men (called male hypogonadism) is linked to metabolic syndrome, which includes insulin resistance, a common issue in the US. Testosterone helps reduce insulin resistance, which often leads to weight gain, increased estrogen production, and inflammation, raising the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Optimising testosterone levels can also improve energy, mood, libido, and sleep quality. Feeling better can encourage people to make healthier choices, like eating better, exercising, and improving relationships.

If you need consultations, Mobi Doctor is here to assist you with expert medical advice and guidance.