Study on Diabetes and Testosterone Levels in Kashmiri Males

J&K, India: Among males, diabetes causes low testosterone levels, and lower levels of testosterone can act as a marker for diabetes, according to a recent study in the Archives of Endocrinology and Metabolism. The findings indicate that with timely intervention, diabetes-associated mortality and co-morbidity can be prevented.

Mohammad Hayat Bhat, Department of Medicine, Government Medical College Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India, and colleagues aimed to study the association between testosterone and diabetes in Kashmiri males.

The study included a total of 300 males with Type 2 diabetes who visited an outpatient and inpatient clinic at Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital, Srinagar, J&K India. The researchers measured blood sugar and HbA1c, which are the markers of diabetes, and serum testosterone levels. The blood samples from both the cases and controls were collected.

Key Findings of the Study

• Out of 300 subjects, 42% had a testosterone deficiency.
• A relationship between type 2 diabetic males and healthy males was observed, and testosterone levels were determined to be significantly lower among diabetic males when compared to healthy males.
• On comparing diabetic markers among testosterone deficient and normal testosterone level groups; the mean fasting plasma glucose and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were significantly higher in the testosterone deficient group than in the control group.
• To elucidate the relationship between the serum total testosterone level and fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c values, Pearson's correlation test was performed. Fasting plasma glucose levels (r = −0.252) and HbA1c values (r = −0.697) showed a significant negative correlation with serum testosterone levels among diabetic males.

"This study shows that diabetes causes low testosterone levels among males, and lower testosterone levels can act as a marker for diabetes," wrote the authors. "Thus, with timely intervention, mortality and comorbidity associated with diabetes can be prevented."

Reference

The study titled, "Association between T2DM and the lowering of testosterone levels among Kashmiri males," is published in the Archives of Endocrinology and Metabolism.

DOI: https://www.scielo.br/j/aem/a/cgmMM5Gx479g8qMhWstVMJQ