Testosterone and type 2 diabetes in men

Aging Male. 2014 Mar;17(1):18-24. doi: 10.3109/13685538.2013.879113. Epub 2014 Jan 29.

Abstract

Objective: To assess from observational data if low testosterone in men is an independent risk factor for high fasting glucose (FG) and for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: Multivariate analysis of data from 991 male US Air Force veterans who completed six medical examinations over 20 years.

Results: Low testosterone was moderately related to high FG, independent of age and obesity. Low testosterone is a very weak predictor of a diagnosis of T2D.

Conclusions: In men, low testosterone is an independent risk factor for high FG, comparable to aging and obesity. Low testosterone is a weak predictor of a diagnosis of T2D.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aging
  • Blood Glucose / analysis*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / blood*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Testosterone / blood*
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Veterans

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Testosterone