The evaluation of serum levels of testosterone in type 2 diabetic men and its relation with lipid profile.
OBJECTIVE
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the predominant form of diabetes worldwide and much is known about its patho-physiology. Yet, newer aspects related to it are being constantly explored. For ages, testosterone has been known to men as the male sex hormone but now it has been shown by certain studies that it might have a role in the development of metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes. This study was carried out to determine the relation of testosterone levels with type 2 diabetes mellitus and lipid profile in North East Indian men aged 31 to 73 years.


METHODS
This case control study comprised of 40 type 2 diabetic men and 40 age matched non diabetic healthy men. Testosterone, SHBG levels and lipid profile were evaluated in both the groups along with anthropometric measurements and were statistically analysed.


RESULTS
Serum total and free testosterone and Sex Hormone Binding Globulin were significantly lower in the test group than in the control group. Prevalence of type 2diabetes was five times higher in men having a total testosterone less than 8nmol/L and 5.57 times higher in those having a free testosterone of less than 0.225nmol/L. Fasting blood glucose showed a strong negative correlation with total and free testosterone. Glycated haemoglobin correlated negatively with SHBG but no such correlation was seen with total or free testosterone. Serum total and LDL cholesterol showed significant negative correlation with total testosterone and SHBG but no significant correlation was found with free testosterone. Serum VLDL, HDL and triglycerides did not show any significant correlation with total or free testosterone and SHBG levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Low testosterone might have a role in the development of type 2 DM and to the associated altered lipid profile. This study, though a small one is among the few of its kind in India and it thrives to assist other studies related to the matter.
Post-Graduate Trainee, Department of Biochemistry, Gauhati Medical College & Hospital , Guwahati, Assam, India .
Nirmali
N
Mattack
Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Gauhati Medical College & Hospital , Guwahati, Assam, India .
Runi
R
Devi
Post-Graduate Trainee, Department of Biochemistry, Gauhati Medical College & Hospital , Guwahati, Assam, India .
Tridip
T
Kutum
Demonstrator, Department of Biochemistry, Gauhati Medical College & Hospital , Guwahati, Assam, India .
Dibyaratna
D
Patgiri
Dyslipidemia; Serum free testosterone; Serum total testosterone; Sex hormone binding globulin; Type 2 diabetes