Low testosterone or low T is a condition where a man's body does not produce sufficient amounts of the hormone testosterone. The American Diabetes Association reports that men who have diabetes are twice as likely to have low T compared to men who do not have diabetes. While symptoms of low T can be tricky to identify and even more difficult to discuss, talking with your doctor can pave the way to effective treatment.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of low testosterone include depression, increased body fat and decreased muscle mass, fatigue, difficulty achieving or maintaining a penile erection, a decrease in or lack of libido (sex drive) and an overall reduction in the sense of well-being. These symptoms can be vague or difficult to describe, making low T challenging to recognize or diagnose. A diagnosis of low T can be confirmed with a blood test to measure total testosterone levels.
Complications
Abdulamaged Traish, MD and associates reported that low T is strongly associated with insulin resistance and an increase in obesity, leading to type 2 diabetes. Along with the development of type 2 diabetes are the related health problems of high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart disease. Decreased bone density can also result, increasing the risk for bone fracture.
Treatment
Testosterone replacement must be prescribed by your doctor and monitored carefully. Various forms of testosterone replacement therapy are available, so it's important to discuss your treatment options with your doctor. While testosterone replacement may relieve some of the symptoms of low T, therapy must be closely monitored. Donna Rice and associates report that testosterone replacement therapy may not completely resolve all the issues associated with low T, and age-related changes in sexual functioning and nerve and blood vessel damage resulting from diabetes may not be reversible.
Considerations
Testosterone replacement therapy is not recommended for men with a history of cancer of the breast or prostate. Your doctor may also recommend against testosterone replacement therapy if you have sleep apnea, a social or mood disorder, or fertility issues. Testosterone replacement therapy can also increase red blood cell production, so blood tests are necessary to monitor hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.
References
- "Journal of Andrology"; The Dark Side of Testosterone Deficiency; A.M. Traish et al.; January/February 2009
- American Association of Diabetes Educators; Men's Health Low Testosterone and Diabetes: Individualized Treatment and a Multidisciplinary Approach; D. Rice et al.; 2008
- Cleveland Clinic: Menopause in Men
