Diabetics aged between 18 and 35 years suffer from low testosterone levels, which affects their sexual and reproductive function. Previous studies have showed that hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (absent or decreased function of the male testes) is common in middle-aged patients with type 2 diabetes. To investigate the association of testosterone concentrations and diabetes in young men, researchers from America studied 24 men with type 2 diabetes and 38 men with type 1 diabetes. The participants were aged between 18 and 35 years. The researchers measured the circulating levels of testosterone of all the participants. It was fond that testosterone levels were significantly lower in type 2 diabetics than in type 1 diabetics. Specifically, 33 percent of the type 2 diabetics had testosterone levels that were below normal and 58 percent had testosterone levels below normal for their age. The above findings add to the evidence that men with low testosterone levels also had low levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels, indicating that they met diagnostic criteria for a condition called hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, in which the testes are unable to function properly. The researchers noted that low testosterone levels might impair sexual function, reduce sex drive, and lead to erectile dysfunction. Further, young type 2 diabetics with low testosterone may have weak bones and may also be at an increased risk for heart and vascular disease.
Diabetes Care
October 2008