Iranian type 2 diabetics may not have serum testosterone level lower than healthy subjects; A case-control study

Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disease. Its association with low level of testosterone is controversial. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum total testosterone, free testosterone index (FTI), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in Iranian men with type 2 diabetic. A case-control study was conducted on 38 non-diabetic and 36 diabetic men aged 40-60 years old with Body Mass Index (BMI) 18-40 (kg/m2). Fasting serum total testosterone, SHBG, FBS (Fasting Blood Sugar), HbA1C, and other hormone tests were measured. Logistic regression adjusted models was used to asses the association of total testosterone, free testosterone and SHBG level with type 2 diabetes. The mean age of participants was 47.7±5.7 years. Serum total testosterone, FTI, and SHBG had no difference between case and control groups. There was no significant difference in total testosterone, FTI and SHBG between the patient with and without glycemic control. Logistic regression analysis showed an inverse relationship for total testosterone in the lower tertile concentration and type 2 diabetes, but adjustment of HbA1c eliminated the correlation between total testosterone and diabetes. According to logistic regression analysis, SHBG and FTI were not significantly associated with type 2 diabetes. Our findings suggest that serum testosterone level of the type 2 diabetics may not be lower than healthy subjects in Iranian men.