New research has revealed that approximately one third of men aged 18-35 with type 2 diabetes have low testosterone levels.

Dr. Paresh Dandona and colleagues from the State University of New York at Buffalo measured circulating testosterone levels in 38 men with type 1 diabetes and 24 men with type 2 diabetes. Results showed that testosterone levels were significantly lower in participants with type 2 diabetes than they were in men with type 1 diabetes. 33% of participants with type 2 diabetes were found to have low testosterone levels, whilst 58% had testosterone levels that were below normal for their age. In comparison, just 8% type 1 diabetic patients had testosterone levels below the lower limit of normal.

The participants with low testosterone also had low levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), thus meaning that they met diagnostic criteria for hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism. If left untreated, hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism may lead to the development of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease, as well as loss of sex drive, impotence, and infertility.

The researchers conclude: “Young type 2 diabetic patients have significantly lower plasma concentrations of total and free testosterone and inappropriately low LH and FSH concentrations with a very high prevalence of hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism, when compared with type 1 diabetic patients of a comparable age. The potential implications for their sexual and reproductive function during prime reproductive years are profound.”

Chandel A, Dhindsa S, Topiwala S, Chaudhuri A, Dandona P.Testosterone Concentration in Young Patients With Diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2008;31:2013-2017.