Low testosterone levels may be common and associated with insulin resistance in men with diabetes. (2008)
From the article:
For this study, researchers conducted a survey of 580 men with type 2 diabetes and 69 men with type 1 diabetes. A subgroup of 262 men with type 2 diabetes was then reassessed after six months. Testosterone levels were measured from blood samples using the Access testosterone assay.
Previous population-studies found an association of reduced testosterone levels in men and type 2 diabetes, however this is the first study to demonstrate a similar prevalence in individuals with type 1 diabetes.
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This study raises the question of whether testosterone replacement therapy can reduce insulin resistance or symptoms of hypogonadism in men with diabetes. Researchers, however stress that the balance of benefits and risks of such treatment is currently unknown and still to be defined by large and long-term clinical trials. Also, while insulin resistance is associated with testosterone deficiency, there is no evidence that insulin sensitizers are able to elevate testosterone levels in men with diabetes.