Testosterone builds and maintains muscle mass, reduces belly fat and improves sexual desire and performance. But did you know that testosterone replacement in men with low testosterone can reverse, treat and prevent type 2 diabetes?
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a condition that causes an elevation in blood sugar. In many cases, the elevation in blood sugar develops as a result of an increase in belly fat and muscle loss leading to insulin resistance. Treatment options include diet and weight loss, exercise, oral medications and injectable medications including insulin. When treatment is not optimized, the disease can result in blindness, kidney failure, limb amputation, heart attack, stroke and death. Thankfully, new research clearly identifies that optimizing testosterone in men can reduce blood sugar and insulin resistance, and in some cases can completely reverse the disease.
Testosterone and Type 2 Diabetes.
In a 2016 study published in the Journal of Diabetes Care, 94 men with Type 2 diabetes participated in a research program designed to evaluate the effect of testosterone on the treatment of diabetes. Fifty of the 94 men had normal testosterone production while 44 had low testosterone levels. Those with low testosterone were randomly selected to receive either injectable testosterone every 2 weeks for 24 weeks or salt-water injections. The results of the study identified that those treated with testosterone had a reduction in body fat and an increase in lean muscle mass. What’s more, those who received testosterone had a documented reduction in their level of insulin resistance.
In 2018, a group of researchers reviewed a total of 12 studies designed to investigate the relationship between testosterone and Type 2 diabetes. Their findings, published in Endocrine Connections noted that low levels of testosterone can increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes in men.
The Journal of Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism in 2020 found that men with low testosterone and Type 2 diabetes who were treated with testosterone had a “significant progressive and sustained reduction in their blood sugar and HAIC. Of those treated with testosterone, 34.5% of men had a complete reversal of their type 2 diabetes and 46.6 % achieved normal blood sugar control. The average length of time required for men started on testosterone to no longer need diabetic medications was 8.6 years.
Finally, a 2021 study published in the medical journal Lancet identified that the use of testosterone in men was effective in reducing the incidence of type 2 diabetes. Further, using testosterone for 2 years reduced the proportion of participants with type 2 diabetes beyond the effects of lifestyle programs.
Could Testosterone Replacement Be Right for you?
So what does this mean for men who are at risk for or have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes? If you are thinking about starting testosterone replacement therapy, speak with a qualified bio-identical hormone replacement specialist today. If you have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, be sure to follow all treatment recommendations prescribed by your primary care provider while exploring the addition of testosterone replacement as an additional treatment option.
For More Information:
Need more information. Go to https://www.regenesisalberta.com/testosterone and take our 30-second quiz. This will assist you in determining if you are a good candidate for testosterone replacement therapy
To Book Your Appointment:
We would love to speak with you. To book your in-person or virtual appointment call or text 780.800.9931, email us at contact@regenesisalberta.com, or go to regenesisalberta.com