DHEA, DHEAS and prolactin correlate with glucose control parameters in women of fertile age with type-1 diabetes mellitus.

Abstract

The aim of our work was to provide data from women of fertile age with type 1 diabetes mellitus about the endogenous androgens and on their relations to the parameters of diabetes control. Forty-two women were examined, they did not use contraceptives for at least three months prior to the examination. A multivariate regression analysis showed that the daily insulin dose, the fasting glycemia and the HbA1c values and patient's age correlated negatively with dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, dehydroepiandrosterone and prolactin levels. The testosterone/dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate ratio correlated positively with daily insulin dose and patient's age. In contrast to adrenal androgens the values of other hormones, including total and free testosterone, androstenedione, dihydrotestosterone, estradiol, LH, FSH, 17-OH-P, progesterone and cortisol revealed no significant correlation. To conclude, significant relations between the glucose control parameters and the adrenal androgens and prolactin were demonstrated. These relationships should be considered as an important factor influencing diabetes control so the additional cardiovascular risk in women with DM1.