Low testosterone affects a third of young men with type 2 diabetes
New research has revealed that approximately one third of men aged 18-35 with type 2 diabetes have low testosterone levels.
Dr.
Paresh Dandona and colleagues from the State University of New York at
Buffalo measured circulating testosterone levels in 38 men with type 1 diabetes and 24 men with type 2 diabetes. Results showed that testosterone levels were significantly lower in participants with type 2 diabetes than they were in men with type 1 diabetes. 33% of participants with type 2 diabetes were
found to have low testosterone levels, whilst 58% had testosterone
levels that were below normal for their age. In comparison, just 8%
type 1 diabetic patients had testosterone levels below the lower limit
of normal.
The participants with low testosterone also had low
levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone
(FSH), thus meaning that they met diagnostic criteria for
hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism. If left untreated, hypogonadotrophic
hypogonadism may lead to the development of osteoporosis and
cardiovascular disease, as well as loss of sex drive, impotence, and
infertility.
The researchers conclude: “Young type 2 diabetic
patients have significantly lower plasma concentrations of total and
free testosterone and inappropriately low LH and FSH concentrations
with a very high prevalence of hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, when
compared with type 1 diabetic patients of a comparable age. The
potential implications for their sexual and reproductive function
during prime reproductive years are profound.”
Chandel A, Dhindsa S, Topiwala S, Chaudhuri A, Dandona P.Testosterone Concentration in Young Patients With Diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2008;31:2013-2017.
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