DIABETES
Testosterone Therapy Reduced A1c in Men with Low Testosterone and Type 2 Diabetes
Men with Type 2 Diabetes and hypogonadism who were treated with testosterone injections demonstrated reductions in A1c, according to data from a 12-year study presented at the 77th American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions in San Diego, California.
What is HYPOGONADISM?
In men, hypogonadism is a condition whereby your body does not produce enough testosterone, the hormone responsible for masculine development during puberty. Though hypogonadism/low testosterone can have many causes, it has become an increasingly common diagnosis, particularly among men as they age. Treatment for low testosterone production depends on the cause. For adult men with Low T, the typical solution is testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).
What is A1c?
A1c is a test that’s used to diagnose diabetes and to help those with diabetes maintain healthy blood sugar levels. The test shows the doctor your average blood sugar level over the past two to three months. Those with diabetes must have their A1c tested regularly to see whether their blood sugar levels have been staying within a target range.
The STUDY
In 2004, a study by Dr. Farid Saad, PhD was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new testosterone therapy preparation. The study included 321 men with hypogonadism. The mean patient age was 60 years.
Of this group, 94 subjects had Type 2 Diabetes with poorly controlled A1c. They were treated with testosterone injections for up to 12 years. Due to insurance reimbursement issues, roughly half of these patients experienced temporary interruptions in treatment. The subjects’ personal physicians treated their Diabetes.
The RESULTS
At nearly every visit, researchers examined metabolic factors along with the size, weight, and proportions of the subjects. At 12 years, researchers observed a statistically significant decrease in A1c. Results acquired during the final examination revealed that 90.4 percent of study subjects were within an A1c target of less than 7% and that 78.7 percent were within an A1c target of less than 6.5%. In addition, researchers observed a significant reduction in patients’ weight; waist circumference; fasting glucose; and body mass index.
“In our urological setting, we usually do not focus on weight loss in obese patients, and no detailed instructions for lifestyle modification had been provided to our patients,” said Dr. Saad. “Expectations had been that patients’ sexual function, mood, and energy would improve, which is what happened.”
As recommended by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and American College of Endocrinology guidelines for the management of obesity, “it is worthwhile measuring testosterone in men with Type 2 Diabetes, especially if they are obese,” researcher Dr. Saad said. “Correcting hypogonadism by testosterone therapy will result in major improvements of the diabetic state, provided that treatment is adequate and performed long enough.”
According to Dr. Saad, for men suffering from hypogonadism, obesity, and Type 2 Diabetes, testosterone therapy may be the most beneficial treatment possible. “The unique effect of testosterone is that it invariably increases lean body mass, which helps normalize metabolism. This cannot be achieved with any other drug.”