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Are you experiencing a lack of coordination, chills, clammy skin, and sweating? If you haven’t been screened for any other conditions, you may have low blood sugar levels.
Blood sugar, or glucose, is a key cellular energy source. When glucose levels fall below 70 mg/dL, patients may be diagnosed with hypoglycemia or low sugar presence in their blood—a common diabetic precursor.
That said, did you know that low testosterone also affects blood sugar levels?
Testosterone is a sex hormone that plays a vital role in a slew of processes in our body. This androgen plays a role in enhancing fertility, strengthening bone and muscle mass, and ramping up red blood cell production.
But how is testosterone, a sex hormone, related to blood sugar levels? Let’s read more to discover the low testosterone-blood sugar levels connection.
Note: Low blood sugar is a pressing medical concern. It’s urged that you contact a physician specializing in testosterone treatment to get the proper diagnosis and recommendation.
Why Can’t Men Have Low Blood Sugar Levels?
Glucose comes from the food we eat, particularly from carbohydrates. With the aid of the hormone insulin, glucose from food is absorbed into our bloodstream.
Excess glucose in our blood is transformed into fat and stored to be used later. But if there’s a lack of glucose in the blood, normal functioning in cells may be restricted.
Low blood sugar can occur without warning. Some of its symptoms include:
- Pale skin
- Fatigue and hunger
- Dizziness
- Increased heart rate
- Irritability, anxiety, and mood changes
- Trouble concentrating or thinking clearly
- Loss of consciousness
These conditions may aggravate your health, especially if low blood sugar is left untreated. It is better to speak to your doctor if you have the above symptoms.
Low blood sugar is most notably a side effect of a larger underlying health condition. But what does this have to do with low testosterone?
Let’s first understand what low testosterone entails.
Low Testosterone: What Is It?
Low testosterone is the condition when testosterone levels drop below 300 ng/dL. Low testosterone produces a variety of symptoms in men, including:
- Decreased sex drive
- Lower energy levels
- Depression and moodiness
- Weight gain
- Thinner bones
Consult a Low-T doctor if you exhibit these symptoms. AIDS, kidney disease, and alcoholism are some causes of low testosterone, but men may also naturally develop it due to age. As men cross 40 years old, their testosterone levels can drop as much as 1% yearly.
Low testosterone and low blood sugar might seem unrelated at first glance. But more profound studies show that testosterone does indeed play a role in low blood sugar levels.
Low Testosterone and Blood Sugar
Low testosterone can affect blood sugar levels in more ways than one. The main reason this happens is the way low T levels can cause an imbalance in your hormone production.
One hormone that has ties with testosterone and blood glucose is the sex hormone binding globulin. The SHBG controls the amount of testosterone the body can use, and if it’s too low, testosterone levels will subsequently drop. In addition, low SHBG is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
Another factor that influences blood sugar is impaired insulin production. Your body produces a hormone called insulin—a key hormone that regulate blood sugar levels. Insulin acts as a messenger to your cells and tells them when it’s time to take glucose from your blood.
Insulin resistance is the term used to describe a decreased insulin sensitivity. One study has shown that patients with testosterone deficiency have higher insulin resistance. Higher insulin resistance equates to a longer time needed to absorb glucose, which consequently leads to lower blood sugar in men.
Though the reason why low testosterone increases insulin resistance is unclear, there are a few published works that proposed some theories on this connection.
One such theory suggests that testosterone affects the signaling pathway responsible for glucose intake. Another study shows that testosterone levels influence how your body fats are deposited, which can consequently increase the risk of type-2 diabetes.
Diabetes and Low Testosterone
Research has suggested that men with type-2 diabetes are at higher risk of developing low testosterone than men with type-1 diabetes. However, another study found that 20.7% of men with type-1 diabetes had less free testosterone in their body.
Insulin medication taken by diabetic patients is a significant factor in low blood sugar. When there is a sudden excess of insulin in your blood, blood sugar drops quickly as cells absorb glucose.
Type-2 diabetes mellitus, or simply diabetes, is a metabolic disorder that results in high blood sugar. People with diabetes have high insulin resistance. In other words, they cannot produce sufficient insulin required for the body.
Low testosterone also has a hand in diabetes. Low testosterone increases insulin resistance, disabling the body from consuming the required amounts of glucose. This also leads to an increase in blood sugar.
Blood Sugar Affecting Testosterone: Is It Possible?
Just like erectile dysfunction, low testosterone can influence the hormones responsible for regulating blood sugar levels. But did you know that the opposite is also true?
When your body’s blood sugar levels are high, your pituitary gland won’t be able to synthesize the luteinizing hormone.
The luteinizing hormone plays an essential role in controlling and triggering testosterone production. Without the luteinizing hormone, the testicles cannot produce sufficient testosterone for the body. Testosterone treatment may be advised to restore normal testosterone levels in the body.
Maintaining Blood Sugar and Testosterone
Maintaining blood sugar is essential for your body’s functioning. Some of the ways to maintain blood sugar include:
- Monitoring blood sugar levels and blood pressure regularly.
- Maintaining a healthy body fat percentage and following a healthy diet
- Exercising a moderate amount to avoid cardiovascular risk
- If you have diabetes, insulin injections help compensate for insulin resistance or deficiency.
Besides this, regular exercise and healthy diets help increase blood sugar and testosterone levels naturally.Testosterone replacement therapy and injectable testosterone undecanoate can help raise testosterone levels in your body.
Cincinnati’s Top Male Health Clinic Can Help Men Combat Low Testosterone
Testosterone can lead to many adverse health problems, with low blood sugar being one prominent condition.
Fortunately, treatment is available in the form of testosterone supplementation and testosterone restoration therapy.
If you exhibit male health issues or symptoms of low testosterone and diabetes , contact a doctor immediately.
Working with experienced medical professionals like those at Cincinnati male clinic Proactive Men’s Medical Center for a proper clinical evaluation leads to better outcomes for men with ED, PE, Low-T, and other sexual concerns. Give our team a call today to schedule your appointment.
