Association of low total testosterone levels and impaired blood glucose levels in middle aged men - A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Recent studies have shown that men with impaired glucose levels (pre-diabetes)/diabetes have lower serum total testosterone (TT) levels as compared to normoglycemic men. India has a high incidence and prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM)/pre-diabetes in the middle aged population too. Most studies have researched about the serum TT levels in elderly pre-diabetic/diabetic men, but there is lack of information about such association in middle aged men. Aims and Objectives: These objectives of this study are to study the levels of serum TT in middle aged men with DM/pre-diabetes; to compare the serum TT levels in men with DM/ pre-diabetes with normoglycemic men; and to observe the correlation between fasting blood glucose (FBG) and serum TT, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC). Materials and Methods: It is a cross-sectional, observational study. The study subjects were 150 nonsmoking, nontobacco addict, and nonalcoholic men aged between 31 and 60 years. Anthropometric measurements, serum FBG levels, and serum TT were measured. Results: The pre-diabetic and diabetic men had significantly low levels of serum TT as compared to non-diabetic men. Furthermore, serum TT levels correlated negatively with WC, BMI and blood sugar levels, but significant correlation was found only in the case of WC. Conclusion: Low serum TT levels are associated with pre-diabetes as well as diabetes. Whether the association is casual or not requires prospective study.