Research shows that men are twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes due to a higher likelihood of having belly fat, which is associated with insulin resistance. Oftentimes type 2 diabetes affects men during the most productive years of their life, ages 35–54, and at lower body mass index (BMI) levels than women.
If left untreated, type 2 diabetes can lead to serious medical complications, such as erectile dysfunction, retrograde ejaculation, low sexual libido, heart disease, problems with nerves, eyes, and kidneys, and loss of muscle mass.
Frequent Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes in Men
Diabetes is a condition in which the body either produces too little insulin or none at all, or becomes resistant to insulin.
Insulin shuttles glucose from the blood to your vital tissues. If your body does not produce or use insulin properly, glucose does not reach your cells to be used for energy.
Chronically high blood sugar levels can damage nerves, blood vessels, and vital organs. Men and women experience many of the same symptoms, including:
Frequent urination Excessive thirst Fatigue Unexplained weight gain or weight loss Numbness and tingling of the hands and/or feet Irritability Blurred vision Slow wound healing Nausea Skin infections Darkening of skin in areas of body creases (acanthosis nigricans) Breath odor that is fruity, sweet, or an acetone odor
Testosterone levels and the propagation of type 2 diabetes go hand in hand.
Research has shown that there is a link between low testosterone and the development of type 2 diabetes in men, with lower testosterone levels leading to a greater risk.
There is a higher prevalence of low testosterone levels in men with type 2 diabetes than in men without it. Furthermore, while men tend to have significantly higher levels of testosterone than women, men tend to lose testosterone at a greater rate, putting them at higher risk for type 2 diabetes.
To make matters worse, nerve damage and damage to the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in general can lead to additional symptoms, such as:
Erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection Retrograde ejaculation, decreased semen in ejaculation with some of the semen even leaking into the bladder Low testosterone Decreased sex drive (decreased libido) and sexual dysfunction Urinary tract infections Overactive bladder Loss of muscle mass
Rare Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes in Men
One-third of U.S. men over the age of 65 have diabetes. This group is also more likely to have low testosterone levels, which puts them at greater risk of developing metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Not surprisingly, this group is more likely to experience rare symptoms of diabetes like:
Erectile dysfunctionLoss of muscle massGenital thrushOveractive bladder
Uncontrolled blood sugar in men has wide-ranging effects. In the early stages of diabetes, few, if any, symptoms are felt, but rare complications can develop over time.
If your blood sugar levels are consistently high, your body may break down muscle and fat for energy, leading to a noticeable loss in muscle mass. Excess blood sugar is eventually excreted in the urine, which increases your risk of developing genital thrush, a yeast infection.
Nerve damage and vascular damage from glucose breaking down nerve fibers can lead to erectile dysfunction or urological issues such as a loss of bladder control.
Complications
Complications of type 2 diabetes in men usually are due to uncontrolled regulation of blood sugar. This can happen as a result of poor diet, lack of exercise, or difficulty with medication compliance. In most cases, it is a combination of all three.
If you are having difficulty regulating your blood sugar levels, you may want to see a diabetes counselor, a primary care healthcare provider, or another healthcare professional who specializes in diabetes management.
Uncontrolled blood sugar can lead to:
Stroke and heart attack Urological issues Erectile dysfunction Recurring genital thrush Eye issues, such as diabetic retinopathy Foot problems, such as loss of sensation, infection, and even possible amputation Kidney issues, such as acute kidney injury or nephropathy Nerve damage, or neuropathy Gastroparesis or a slowing of digestion due to nerve damage in the gut Certain cancers Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may want to seek immediate medical attention, as early diagnosis and treatment are key to mitigating the impact of type 2 diabetes:
Increased thirst and hungerMore frequent urination, especially at nightSudden, unexplained weight loss Feeling more tired than usualBlurry visionNumbness and tingling of the hand or feetLosing feeling in the feetPoor wound healing
Once you are diagnosed and your symptoms are managed, your healthcare provider may refer you to an endocrinologist, who specializes in diabetes care and will help you learn more about type 2 diabetes and how to manage it.
Endocrinologists often work as a team with other diabetes specialists—nurse practitioners, dieticians, pharmacists, educators, and exercise physiologists—who help address every aspect of diabetes, which can be a very complicated problem to manage.
A Word From Verywell
Men are more likely to have visceral fat around the belly that increases insulin resistance and leads to diabetes. Fortunately, studies show that moderate weight loss can stave off diabetes. Shedding 10% of your total body weight through exercise and healthy eating, in fact, has been shown to decrease insulin resistance and improve glucose metabolism, underscoring the importance of lifestyle modifications.
The key response to the aging, overweight man with type 2 diabetes—especially in those over the age of 65 and with low testosterone levels—is the implementation of lifestyle measures such as weight loss and exercise that can raise testosterone levels and provides multiple health benefits.
