Testosterone Deficiency Common in Men with Type 1 Diabetes

The findings suggest that there is a direct link between insulin resistance and reduced testosterone levels in men. "As testosterone deficiency may contribute to impaired performance, mood, and libido, as well as have adverse impact on cardiovascular risk, these findings demonstrate the presence of a significant and unrecognized problem among men with diabetes," said Dr. Mathis Grossmann of the University of Melbourne in Australia. "Our findings of insulin resistance as a potential determinant of reduced testosterone levels may represent an important avenue for intervention."

For this study, researchers conducted a survey of 580 men with type 2 diabetes and 69 men with type 1 diabetes. A subgroup of 262 men with type 2 diabetes was then reassessed after six months. Testosterone levels were measured from blood samples using the Access testosterone assay.

Previous population-studies found an association of reduced testosterone levels in men and type 2 diabetes, however this is the first study to demonstrate a similar prevalence in individuals with type 1 diabetes.

This study raises the question of whether testosterone replacement therapy can reduce insulin resistance or symptoms of hypogonadism in men with diabetes. Researchers, however stress that the balance of benefits and risks of such treatment is currently unknown and still to be defined by large and long-term clinical trials. Also, while insulin resistance is associated with testosterone deficiency, there is no evidence that insulin sensitizers are able to elevate testosterone levels in men with diabetes.

A rapid release version of this paper has been published on-line and will appear in the May 2008 issue of JCEM, a publication of The Endocrine Society.

===========================================

FACT:
Shorter Life Spans for Our Children: Rates of those with diabetes, fueled by obesity and sedentary lifestyles, have risen unchecked in the United States, with diabetes now affecting about 7 percent of the population. That’s an estimated 20.8 million adults and children. Federal projections estimate that by 2050, some 48 million Americans will have type 2 diabetes. And the disease will bring with it complications such as blindness, hearing loss, kidney disease, nervous system disorders and amputations of extremities.  Studies have suggested that for the first time in history, the generation of people born in 2000 is probably going to have shorter life expectancy than their parents.  The American Diabetes Association

===========================================

Advertisement
You’ve probably heard the term "low glycemic" bandied about in the media and in discussions about weight loss. You may have even come across some food products labeled as such.
It’s All About Sugar
"Glycemic" simply means "relating to sugar." The higher the glycemic impact of a food the greater and more rapid its effect on your blood sugar when you eat it. High blood sugar can sabotage your weight-management and better health efforts. Eating lower glycemic foods is definitely the way to go.
Atkins Advantage(r) nutrition bars and shakes are low-glycemic impact and substantiated by clinical testing. A controlled carbohydrate, low sugar way of eating provides you with a powerhouse of nutrients to support your health and stabilized blood-sugar levels. Click here for more information