More On Testosterone and Your Health

I have previously posted a couple of articles on, "The Link Between Low T and Early Death In Type 2 Diabetics", and the pros and Cons of Testosterone Boosters, and testosterone therapy whether by injections, patches, or gels and creams.

The more I read and look into this, the more I am inclined to lean towards more frequent testing for your testosterone level, along with more frequent PSA tests for men and a prostate exam. I reported on these pages previously that a couple of years ago when my testosterone was tested, it was 442. Healthy levels have been determined between 350 and 1000, so I WAS in the normal acceptable range. My most recent test indicated a level of 312 or a 132 point drop and put me now below the magic (350) number.

As you age, this is what you can expect if you are a man (especially if you are a type 2 diabetic)

• Testosterone drops 90% from age 25 to age 70
• Experience loss of sexual performance and ED
• Lack of energy and easily fatigued
• Loss of mental sharpness and memory
• Loss of muscle mass and strength
• Possible LOW bone density (danger of breaking bones in a fall)
• A weakened immune system
• Weight gain

As mentioned in prior posts, there are things you can do naturally to boost your testosterone levels with few if any side effects. I personally feel that eventually you will reach a point when testosterone therapy might be a good idea. This doesn't mean that you should then stop eating right, and exercising and taking supplements, however they may or may NOT be enough.

I have seen it in print that most insurance companies do not cover testosterone therapy such as the gels and creams such as Testim,  Androgel, Androderm and Android, or the patches or injections (which can be very EXPENSIVE..............AND GET MIXED REVIEWS ON EFFECTIVENESS. My understanding is the injections in addition to being the most expensive, also tend to get your testosterone to SOAR and then plummet causing somewhat of a yo, yo effect. I did find that my insurance company would cover the gels and after doing research on the co-pays and the effectiveness of each, decided to go with Androgel. I have also read articles in detail concerning SIDE EFFECTS of doing the testosterone therapy and it seems to me that most of the serious side effects are linked to the injections and the patches as opposed to the gel applications.

I will continue to work out with the weights, doing the push ups, abdominal exercises, and walking, however now I have personally found enough evidence to convince me that the testosterone therapy has merit. After 30 plus years of multi-tasking in my own insurance agency, I find myself now suffering from some short term memory loss, or being somewhere in a vehicle and for just a few seconds a little disoriented, etc.

Following are some links for you to look at on testosterone:

http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2006/11/13/hlsb1113.htm

HERE is another link and some excerpts:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Testosterone-Treatment-For-Men-With-Type-2-Diabetes&id=4282343

EXCERPT:

Dr. Hugh Jones of the University of Sheffield in England, reports that treating male type 2 diabetics who have low testosterone levels with replacement testosterone can greatly reduce insulin resistance. The boost to testosterone levels resulted in better control of blood sugar levels. About a third of men who have type 2 diabetes have low cholesterol levels. A common genetic problem among type 2 diabetic men whose ancestors came from Britain or Ireland is iron overload, which gradually shrinks testicular tissue so that their testosterone levels fall. Lower testosterone levels occurs at the same time as higher blood sugars levels. Dr. Jones found that testosterone replacement therapy was not a miracle cure for type 2 diabetes, but it usually lowered HbA1c levels by about 0.5%. Low-dose testosterone therapy also increases libido and sexual performance but it does not increase the risk of prostate problems, as long as the testosterone injections and gels are taken as directed. Dr. Hugh Jones also reported that many of his patients dropped out of the study because of allergic reactions to his particular formula. If insurance won't pay for testosterone replacement therapy, type 2 diabetic men who have testosterone levels in the 200's or lower, have a natural alternative. The herb extract chrysin will not increase testosterone production, but it will help a man's body to conserve testosterone. Like testosterone injections or gels, chrysin takes about six months to work, but it may lower blood sugar levels even as it bolsters manly characteristics.
Men with type 2 diabetes should not attempt to raise testosterone levels with androstenedione. This popular supplement is proven to raise testosterone levels... but in women. One study found that taking no more than 300 mg of this supplement a day, might raise testosterone levels in older men. Unfortunately a similar dose raises estrogen levels in younger men. This is a supplement that men with type 2 diabetes are probably better off leaving alone.
When carefully questioned, approximately 50 per cent of males with type 2 diabetes will admit to difficulty with their sexual function. This difficulty usually shows itself in the form of erectile dysfunction, which is the inability to have or sustain an erection that is sufficient for intercourse. Reasons besides insufficient production of the hormone testosterone include:

• overproduction of a hormone from your brain, called prolactin
• trauma to your penis
• medications to lower high blood pressure (anti hypertensives) and antidepressants
• poor blood supply to your penis due to blockage of the artery due to peripheral vascular disease

The failure of erection in type 2 diabetics is  also determined by the degree of control of your blood sugar levels, better control of blood sugar levels is associated with fewer problems.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4282343

For a detailed account of WHAT DO THE NUMBERS MEAN SEE THE link LISTED BELOW:

http://men.webmd.com/testosterone-15738?page=2

EXCERPTS:

Testosterone

A testosterone test checks the level of this male hormone (androgen) in the blood. Testosterone affects sexual features and development. In men, it is made in large amounts by the testicles. In both men and women, testosterone is made in small amounts by the adrenal glands; and, in women, by the ovaries.

The pituitary gland controls the level of testosterone in the body. When the testosterone level is low, the pituitary gland releases a hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH). This hormone tells the testicles to make more testosterone. See a picture of the pituitary gland .

Before puberty, the testosterone level in boys is normally low. Testosterone increases during puberty. This causes boys to develop a deeper voice, get bigger muscles, make sperm , and get facial and body hair. The level of testosterone is the highest around age 40, then gradually becomes less in older men.

Why It Is Done

A testosterone test is done to:

• See why a man is having problems in fathering a child (infertility). A low amount of testosterone can lead to low sperm counts.
• Check a man's sexual problems. A low level of testosterone may lower a man's sex drive or not allow him to have an erection (erectile dysfunction).
• See whether a high level of testosterone is causing a boy younger than age 10 to have early signs of puberty.
• Check a decreased sex drive in a woman. This may be due to the level of testosterone in her body.
• Find out why a woman is developing male features, such as excessive facial and body hair (hirsutism) and a deep voice.
• Find out why a woman is having irregular menstrual periods.
• See if testosterone-lowering medicines are working in a man with advanced prostate cancer.
• Find the cause of osteoporosis in a man.

PLEASE RED THE ENTIRE ARTICLE for further information.

I hope this helps in your search to reverse or get better control for your type 2 diabetes.

My recent numbers from visit to the Joslin clinic:

• 6.8 A1C
• Prostate exam normal
• PSA results .4 (very good)
• 110/70 my blood pressure - still drinking the celery based smoothies OFTEN
• Testosterone 312 (down from 442 two years ago, starting on androgel) - should be 350 or above and there is evidence of early death for type 2 diabetics who do NOT pay attention to this number.
• CBC blood count - also normal
• Bone density test - on order for my next visit in Feb of 2012

May God bless you and have a Merry Christmas

Dan

Matthew 6:33

King James Version (KJV)

³³But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.