Title: A prospective Study of Serum Testosterone Level in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients

Authors: Dr Dharmendra Tiwari, Dr Piyush Gosar, Dr O. P. Jatav, Dr Rahul Sharma

 DOI:  https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i8.105

Abstract

Background: Epidemiological studies have shown that low testosterone levels are an independent risk factor for type-2 diabetes (T2DM). The risk of both hypogonadism and T2DM increases with age.

Aims and Objectives: To evaluate and study the relationship of serum testosterone level with conventional risk factors for atherosclerosis, duration of diabetes and HbA1c in T2DM patients.

Materials and Methods: A total 120 subjects were studied after dividing them in to Cases (T2DM male patients, n=80) and Control (sex matched healthy male subjects, n=40) at Dept. of Medicine, G R Medical College & J.A. Group of Hospitals, Gwalior, between September 2011 and October 2012. Study cohort were studied based on the detailed history, anthropometric measurements, relevant blood investigations, HbA1C, ECG changes and estimation of serum total  (STT) and free testosterone (SFT).

Results: Majority of the cases belonged to age group of 41-50 years (40%). Mean serum total testosterone (STT) (300.72±33.14 vs383.81±57.63, p=0.551) and serum free testosterone (SFT) (7.65±2.04 vs. 11.17±2.30, p=0.002) levels were lower among Cases compared to Control. Among Cases and Control, 28.75% and 25% subjects had decreased STT (p=0.020) whereas 57.5% and 25% subjects had decreased SFT (p=0.029) respectively. Among Cases out of 26 obese patients, 76.9% had low level of SFT whereas in Control group, out of 10 obese subjects 40% had low level of SFT. All the patients [18 (22.5%)] among cases who had total cholesterol ≥200 mg/dl had low level of SFT whereas among Control group, 50% out of 6 subjects had low level of SFT (p=0.015) Out of 53 patients who had TG ≥150 mg/dl, 67.92% had low level of SFT whereas in control group, out of 10 subjects, 30% subjects had low level of SFT (p= 0.0019). Out of 55 patients in cases and 13 subjects in Control who had HDL-C <40 mg/dl, 32 patients (58.18%) and 4 subjects (30.76%) had low level of SFT respectively (p<0.001).Among the patient with T2DM for >5 years (n=28), 12 (42.85%) and 18 (64.28%) had low levels of STT and SFT respectively. In cases with 2 or lesser risk factors for CAD, 5.26% and 42.16% patients had low level of STT and SFT respectively. In cases with 3 or more risk factors for CAD, 50% and 71.42% patients had low level of STT and SFT respectively. 

Conclusion: Testosterone deficiency is common in T2DM patients who were in 4th and 5th decade of their life. Low serum free testosterone in T2DM patients was associated with reduced sexual desire, low HDL, increased BMI, high serum triglyceride, increase total cholesterol and LDL levels. Low serum free testosterone is also significantly associated with increased risk of CAD in T2DM patients.

Keywords: Testosterone deficiency, CAD, lipid profile, serum free testosterone

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Corresponding Author

Dr Piyush Gosar

Room no. 29, PG Hostel, JAH, GRMC, Gwalior, MP, India

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