
January 29, 2004
Complications
Question from Bombay, India:
Can borderline or impaired glucose tolerance lead to impotence?
Answer:
A small by consistent percentage of men who present with the new diagnosis of diabetes can have diabetic neuropathy. Erectile dysfunction may be part of the diabetic neuropathy picture. You need to make sure of your definition for diabetes. A blood glucose greater than 126 mg/dl on two occasions is diabetes. Similarly, a random blood sugar >200 mg/dl [11.1 mmol/L] on two occasions is diabetes. Other causes for erectile dysfunction also include blood pressure medications, smoking, psychological causes, and other neurological problems. You need to talk with your physician as a significant number of patients with diabetes and erectile dysfunction may respond to medications.
JTL