Testosterone and Diabetes
Since about September (I started Byetta in October), I’ve been
functioning notably
worse than "normal"–pronounced fatigue, sleeping sometimes 16+
hours, mental
fuzziness, etc.
I recently had my doctor do blood tests to get at the likely cause,
and he found
that that problem wasn’t B-12, or thyroid, or other things we might
have sus-
pected. My testosterone level is below the normal range. He
thinks this could
account for my symptoms, and that with testosterone shots every
three weeks
(it may take 3-4 months to see results) I may very well see a
lessening of belly
fat, increased bone density and muscle mass–as well as relief from
my other
symptoms.
Researching testosterone and diabetes, I see that one third of men
with
Type II have low testosterone. It makes me wonder whether my
endocrinologist
shouldn’t have tested for testosterone levels at the start–they’er
supposed
to be the experts.
Testosterone is apparently very important in efficient insulin use
and other
processes that have a bearing on diabetes.
Has anyone had experience with this–that is, having tested low for
testosterone,
then found that supplementation made a dramatic difference in
overall function-
ing as well as, perhaps, in their diabetes. (Any answers from
females will, I’m
afraid, be suspect.)
Thanks,
Brian
January 21st, 2006 at 12:56 am
Brian…
It is strange that your endo didn’t test your testosterone. Women who are
insulin resistant often have RAISED testosterone levels. Insulin and
Testosterone are both hormones. They can both be out of whack and if so,
the symptoms of both are increased. Hopefully, these injections will be
just the ticket for you.
Demetria-Beth
Since about September (I started Byetta in October), I’ve been functioning
notably worse than "normal"–pronounced fatigue, sleeping sometimes 16+
hours, mental fuzziness, etc.
I recently had my doctor do blood tests to get at the likely cause, and he
found that that problem wasn’t B-12, or thyroid, or other things we might
have sus- pected. My testosterone level is below the normal range. He
thinks this could account for my symptoms, and that with testosterone shots
every three weeks (it may take 3-4 months to see results) I may very well
see a lessening of belly fat, increased bone density and muscle mass–as
well as relief from my other symptoms.
Researching testosterone and diabetes, I see that one third of men with Type
II have low testosterone. It makes me wonder whether my endocrinologist
shouldn’t have tested for testosterone levels at the start–they’er supposed
to be the experts.
Testosterone is apparently very important in efficient insulin use and other
processes that have a bearing on diabetes.
Has anyone had experience with this–that is, having tested low for
testosterone, then found that supplementation made a dramatic difference in
overall function- ing as well as, perhaps, in their diabetes. (Any answers
from females will, I’m afraid, be suspect.)
Thanks,
Brian