Sex hormones Higher diabetes risk with low testosterone levels

Men with low levels of testosterone have a higher risk of diabetes
It has long been known that sex hormones have an important influence on reproduction and pleasure. But they have much more impact on us. For example, too little testosterone in men can increase the risk of developing diabetes.

Causes of Diabetes
In addition to a genetic predisposition, severe overweight (obesity), physical inactivity and impaired insulin secretion are among the causes or triggers of diabetes. But male sex hormones also seem to have an effect on the risk of getting the metabolic disorder.

A German-Finnish study has shown that men with low levels of testosterone have a statistically higher risk of developing diabetes later on. (Image: Andrey Popov / fotolia.com)

Men with low levels of testosterone have higher risk
As the German Society of Cardiology (DGK) reports at the European Cardiology Congress (ESC) 2016 in Rome, men with low testosterone levels have a statistically higher risk of developing diabetes later. In women, according to the experts, no relationship between testosterone and diabetes.

These findings were obtained in a German-Finnish study, which was presented at the ESC. Participants in the study included the University Heart Center Hamburg and the National Institute for Health and Welfare in Helsinki.

No significant difference in women
According to the data, in the population study the testosterone levels were recorded in 3,810 men and 3,896 women. According to an average observation time of 13.8 years, 7.8 percent of all patients were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus.

On average, testosterone levels at baseline were 17.12 mmol / L in men, but were significantly lower at 15.61 nmol / L in the later diabetic patients. In women, there were no significant differences with 1.15 and 1.16 nmol / L, respectively.

Scientists are interested in the sex hormone
The male sex hormone is always the focus of scientific work. Testosterone has been studied in about 85,000 studies. For example, researchers have shown that low levels of testosterone in old age can lead to various symptoms such as erectile dysfunction, fatigue, depression and a decrease in bone density (osteoporosis).

In addition, some physicians believe that therapy with testosterone may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease such as heart attack or stroke. (Ad)