How Low Testosterone Affects Blood Sugar Levels

Low T, also known as testosterone deficiency, is when the testicles produce little or no testosterone, a crucial hormone for the body.

Testosterone deficiency can cause various effects like fatigue, low sex drive, hot flashes, and loss of muscle and bone density. Researchers have also found that it might lead to high blood sugar levels. However, scientists are still exploring how low T and blood sugar levels are connected.

Let's find out what experts say about the link between low T and blood sugar levels.

Testosterone And Blood Sugar Levels

Testosterone is a male sex hormone that helps control the development of secondary sexual characteristics, body fat distribution, bone density, and other functions. Testosterone levels change throughout a man's life and start to decline naturally after age 30.

Low testosterone (Low T) can cause many changes in the body, such as:

• Erectile dysfunction
  
  
• Low sperm count
  
  
• Low sex drive
  
  
• Increased body fat
  
  
• Loss of bone density
  
  
• Loss of muscle mass
  
  
• Mood swings
  
  
• Hot flashes

These symptoms can negatively impact your social and work life, making you less confident and productive.

Low testosterone levels might also raise your blood sugar levels and increase the risk of diabetes. The exact reason is unclear, but scientists are still studying it.

Some researchers think that low testosterone may make your body insulin-resistant. This means your cells can’t respond well to insulin, the hormone that moves extra blood sugar to fat tissue and the liver. Your body will try to produce more insulin to keep up, but it won't be enough, causing your blood sugar levels to rise.

If high blood sugar levels aren't controlled, they can harm your body, causing kidney and nerve damage, nausea, and blurred vision. It also increases the risk of diabetes. If you already have diabetes, low testosterone can make it harder to manage your blood sugar levels effectively.

Effect Of TRT On Blood Sugar Levels

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a common treatment for men with low testosterone. It involves giving extra testosterone to raise levels back to normal (between 300 and 1,000 nanograms per deciliter). TRT helps manage low testosterone symptoms and improves overall health.

Men often report these benefits after starting TRT:

• Improved sex drive
  
  
• Increased bone density and muscle mass
  
  
• Better overall well-being
  
  
• Improved mood and more energy

Scientific Studies

In addition to these benefits, TRT may also help manage blood sugar levels in men with low testosterone. Several studies support this, but more research is needed to understand it better.

In a 2016 study, 94 men with type 2 diabetes were divided into two groups. One group received intramuscular testosterone (250 mg) every 2 weeks for 6 months, while the other group received a placebo (1 mL saline) for the same duration.

By the end of the study, researchers found that TRT led to the following changes in the first group:

• Improved insulin sensitivity
  
  
• Reduced subcutaneous fat mass
  
  
• Increased lean mass
  
  
• Reduced free fatty acids
  
  
• Lower levels of tumour necrosis factor-α

Scientists haven't figured out exactly why TRT affects blood sugar levels, but some think it’s because TRT reduces fat and increases muscle, both of which improve insulin sensitivity.

In another study, researchers looked at the effect of TRT on A1C levels, which measure blood sugar levels. A1C is a protein that attaches to sugar in the blood. Higher A1C levels indicate higher blood sugar.

Normal A1C levels are below 5.7%, while above 6.5% indicate diabetes. Levels between 5.7% and 6.4% indicate prediabetes.

Researchers studied A1C levels in diabetic men on TRT for 8 years. They found that TRT reduced their A1C levels from 7.87% to 5.99%, a significant drop that diabetes medications usually can't achieve.

Many other studies show similar results, likely because TRT improves body composition. Low testosterone negatively affects body composition, but TRT can reverse these changes.

How Is Low T Diagnosed?

Testosterone levels decrease in men as they age, and some young men may also have low testosterone due to medical conditions. If your testosterone levels are below the healthy range, you might experience the symptoms of low T mentioned earlier.

If you think you have low T, visit a healthcare provider and explain how you feel. Share your symptoms and medical history with them.

They will perform a physical examination to check for changes caused by low testosterone and send a blood sample to a lab to test your testosterone levels. Levels below 300 nanograms per deciliter indicate low testosterone.

If you are diagnosed with low T, the doctor will find the cause and try to address it. If the cause is obesity, medications, or an unhealthy lifestyle, they might suggest lifestyle changes. Otherwise, they may prescribe Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT).

How Does TRT Work?

In TRT, you get a testosterone dose based on how low your levels are. There are different ways to take testosterone, like gels, injections, pellets, patches, and capsules. Learn the pros and cons of each form to choose the one that best fits your lifestyle, health, and budget.

How Is Testosterone Dose Optimised?

Your doctor will prescribe a testosterone dose based on your levels before starting treatment. They will ask you to monitor your symptoms and any side effects from TRT during the treatment.

Are your symptoms getting better? Are you having any side effects? Keep track of these questions and write down your answers to share with your doctor at your next visit.

The doctor may adjust your dose based on how it affects you. For example, if your testosterone levels haven't increased after 6 months, they might increase your dose. If you have minor side effects like acne, ankle swelling, or breast tenderness, they might lower your dose to ensure the treatment works best for you.

Your doctor will ask you to visit the clinic every 6 months to check your symptoms and side effects.

If you have serious side effects, contact your doctor immediately.

Who Should Have TRT?

TRT works well for many men, but it's not for everyone. If you have heart disease, a high risk of prostate cancer, or breast cancer, TRT might not be safe for you. It could make these conditions worse.

Men without these serious conditions are usually good candidates for TRT. Talk to a hormone specialist to see if TRT is right for you.

Conclusion

Low T can cause many effects on the body, including high blood sugar levels in some men. Several studies show that testosterone replacement therapy can reduce low T symptoms and even normalise blood sugar levels. This might be because TRT reduces body fat and increases muscle mass.