Testosterone is a sex hormone produced in the testes and in lesser quantities in the ovaries. It is largely responsible for the changes that occur in males as they reach puberty. The increased height and muscle mass, the deepening of the voice, the growth of facial hair and changes in genitalia all result from the body's response to the presence of testosterone. There may be a link between low testosterone levels in males and type 2 diabetes, but further research is needed. Type 2 diabetes occurs when, despite the presence of insulin manufactured by the pancreas, the body stops processing the glucose in the blood that should be used as its primary fuel source, causing elevated blood glucose levels.
Testosterone Production
Although males produce testosterone primarily in the testes, the command to begin production comes directly from the brain. The amount to be produced is determined by the hypothalamus. This information is relayed to the testes via the pituitary gland and the testes respond by releasing the required amount of hormone into the blood. Only 2 percent of the testosterone produced circulates freely in the blood; the rest is bound by either albumin or sex hormone-binding globulin proteins.
Hypogonadism
Male hypogonadism refers to the condition where enough testosterone is not being produced in the body. Normal testosterone level in adult males is between 300 and 1200 ng/dL, that is, nanograms per deciliter. Low testosterone levels can be the result of disease or damage affecting the hypothalamus, pituitary gland or the testes. However, testosterone's biggest enemy is age. With advancing age, the body makes less testosterone.
Symptoms of Hypogonadism
Hypogonadism can occur while the fetus is developing, during puberty or in adulthood. Adult male hypogonadism can be characterized by a decrease in bone or muscle mass, a lessening of body hair or beard, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, decrease in sex drive, problems concentrating and even hot flashes. These symptoms may indicate the need for a visit to your medical practitioner.
Testosterone and Diabetes
In a 2004 study by the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, State University of New York at Buffalo and Kaleida Health, Buffalo, New York, researchers reported an investigation of the prevalence of hypogonadism in type 2 diabetes patients. There were 103 patients involved in the study, which concluded that hypogonadism is common among type 2 diabetes patients. An Australian study published in the "Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism" in 2008, reported that low testosterone levels was a common state in men suffering from both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Considerations
The suggestion that the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes can be influenced by low testosterone level is a good reason for older males to get tested. As age increases and testosterone levels decrease, your risk of developing type 2 diabetes may also increase.
References
- National Institute of Health: Low Testosterone
- "The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism"; Low Testosterone Levels Are Common and Associated with Insulin Resistance in Men with Diabetes; Mathis Grossmann, et al; 2008
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Hypoglycemia
- Mayo Clinic: Male Hypogonadism
- "The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism"; Frequent Occurrence of Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism in Type 2 Diabetes; Sandeep Dhindsa, et al; 2004
