Prevalence of Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism in Type 2 Diabetes Male Patients

Background: Erectile dysfunction is common in patients with diabetes mellitus. In addition, reduced testosterone itself is considered as a risk factor for diabetes; therefore hypogonadism was studied in diabetes. Objective: This study was done to determine the prevalence of hypo- and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism in the type 2 diabetes male patients in Mashhad in north-east of Iran. Methods: This study was done on type 2 diabetic men aged 40 - 60 years in the endocrine clinic, Endocrinology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Fasting blood samples were collected at 8 am for measurement of fasting blood sugar (FBS), HbA1C, total serum testosterone, FSH, Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG), LH, prolactin, thyroxin-stimulating hormone (TSH), and immediately was sent to laboratory. Results: Out of total 96 type 2 diabetic males (mean age of 51.4 ± 11.26 years, range of 40 - 60 years), 11 (12.94%) patients were excluded because of inadequate samples, insufficient information and fulfillment of the exclusion criteria of the study. Hypogonadism based on Testosterone, Calculated free testosterone (CFT), and boiavailable testosterone (BT) were observed in 10 (11.8%), 31 (36.6%), and 30 (35.3%) of the patients, respectively. Libido was decreased in 55 (64.7%) of the patients. Based on the obtained SHBG values there were 7 (8.2%), 52 (61.2%), and 26 (30.6%) cases of low, normal and high values, respectively. According to TSH observed values there were 6 (7.1%) patients and 1 case of sub-clinical hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, respectively, and the rest 78 (91.8%) cases were euthyroid. Prolactin level was normal in all cases. Conclusion: Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism is common in type 2 diabetic men, and whether its treatment is useful for erectile dysfunction or not, needed additional investigation.