Testosterone is a very important hormone in the male human body and has far more functions to perform than maintaining the sex drive. According to researchers, testosterone also affects the insulin sensitivity of human beings and reduces the metabolic rate as well.
Testosterone is the hormone that is responsible for muscle growth in the human body and also conversion of fat into muscle mass. It is important to maintain a healthy ratio of body weight and muscle mass and hence testosterone is required.
The research
Research shows that males suffering diabetes are low on testosterone. This research was done with patients of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes and type 2 diabetes patients were found to be low on the male hormone. Other diseases like prostate cancer, androgen deprivation therapy also reduce testosterone and decrease insulin sensitivity. Recent studies have indicated that not only testosterone but globulin is also found to have similar characteristics.
According to a PhD Scientist researching on the topic, the affect of testosterone levels on the sensitivity towards insulin is because of the way it is designed to work on the composition of our bodies. Since the hormone is responsible for building the body, it also affects the metabolism of the person. Artificial testosterone, if given to diabetes 2 patients can improve their metabolism. It is still a speculation and researchers have to go a long way before anything can be concluded. More trials on different types of subjects need to be done for a prolonged period of time before a final decision can be made.
According to an expert researcher, for men who already have low levels of testosterone, providing more testosterone artificially may not solve much of their problems. Testosterone is known to convert the fat reserves in the body into muscle and might improve the metabolism of men with low levels of the hormone. He adds however, men with extremely low testosterone levels have more chances of benefiting from external testosterone consumption, which can increase testosterone and improve their insulin sensitivity.
According to the research conducted so far and inferences made, hypogonadism treatments have not yet proven to be effective for patients with type 2 diabetes. The better idea is to do it naturally through exercise and weight loss. Some lifestyle changes can definitely help in improving metabolism rate and glucose levels.