The largest study ever conducted showed that treatment with more testosterone prevented or reversed newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes in men. Which is called T4DM (testosterone for the prevention ofDiabetes mellitus) known research involved six specialist centers across Australia. This was a two-year randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
Adding more testosterone as a therapy for diabetes
The T4DM study included more than 1,000 men between the ages of 50 and 74 who were overweight or obese. All took part in the figure-conscious program, formerly known as Weight Watchers. You could join groups, use the website, app, or any combination thereof. Half of the men received more testosterone every three months as an active ingredient, while the other half received a placebo. After two years of treatment, 87 of 413 (21%) men in the placebo group had type 2 diabetes based on an oral glucose tolerance test. This was compared to 55 of 443 (12%) men in the testosterone group. Men in both groups lost an average of 3 to 4 kg of weight and glucose tolerance normalized in 43% and 52% of men in the testosterone and placebo groups, respectively. Additional findings after two years in men treated with testosterone compared to placebo included:
- low blood sugar
- greater decrease in body fat
- Increasing skeletal muscle mass and handgrip strength
- Improvements in sexual function
- no differences in well-being or quality of life.
The results of the study show that testosterone has some benefits in preventing newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, in addition to modest weight loss. Further research is needed to determine whether the beneficial effects of testosterone persist beyond two years. This should make longer-term treatment safe and show whether other forms of testosterone have similar benefits or risks. Writing a prescription may be quick and easy, but it does not replace the need for comprehensive evaluation and holistic management to improve men's health.This studycould reignite interest in preventing diabetes in at-risk men.
