Testosterone is a male sex hormone found in men and women. This hormone plays an important role for health.
Doctors and nurses usually recommend a diet and exercise for diabetics. Most patients are given drugs such as metformin, to reduce the high sugar content and deal with the symptoms that arise. But there is now offering a radical new treatment, namely the male hormone testosterone.
Approximately 40 percent of men with type 2 diabetes have low testosterone levels, according to a study published last year by Professor Hugh Jones, an endocrinologist at Barnsley Hospital.
Not known exactly the link between testosterone with diabetes, but the fact that low testosterone may increase the amount of visceral fat spread of destructive and develop type 2 diabetes.
A study last year has been done on 48 people with diabetes and low testosterone levels, found that 80 percent of those who received hormone therapy and regular medication for diabetes, successfully controlling the blood sugar level, body resistance to insulin and weight loss healthy.
Charles Lawson is one of type 2 diabetics are overweight. He does not complain about erectile problems, but doctors will examine the level of testosterone, blood sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol. Testosterone is very low, so he must use the testosterone gel daily.
According to Lawson, his weight began to fall and his blood sugar control improved. And he also has the added benefit of increasing libido.
"Usually patients are given only testosterone if they complained about erectile dysfunction pills and did not respond to Viagra," said Dr. David Edwards, Oxford sexual medicine specialist, as reported from Dailymail, Tuesday (6/4/2010).
But according to Dr. Edwards, testosterone supplementation is not only a problem of sex drive, low testosterone should be avoided because it can cause many health risks.
Low testosterone levels in men are not only associated with diabetes. A recent study conducted on 800 men over the age of 50 years at the University of California San Diego, shows that low testosterone increases the risk of death from heart disease and death from various causes.
Although testosterone supplements have been available for more than 60 years, this hormone still has a bad reputation associated with a sex maniac, muscle builders and anger.
As a result, many doctors are reluctant to prescribe testosterone. Doctors usually prescribe testosterone only when patients with diabetes also suffer from erectile dysfunction.
