As Your Testosterone Dips, Your Diabetes Risk Rises

As men age, their testosterone levels drop. Simultaneously, older men experience an increased risk of developing diabetes. Researchers now believe the two events may be related.

In lab studies, scientists at the University of Edinburgh have found evidence that low levels of testosterone in men could increase their risk of developing diabetes.

"We know that men with low testosterone levels are more likely to become obese and develop diabetes,” says researcher Dr. Kerry McInnes from the University of Edinburgh’s Endocrinology Unit. “This study shows that low testosterone is a risk factor for diabetes no matter how much a person weighs. As men age, their testosterone levels lower. This, along with increasing obesity, will increase the incidence of diabetes."

Dr. Iain Frame, Director of Research at Diabetes United Kingdom adds: "We already know that low testosterone levels are associated with increased obesity and therefore with increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, but this study provides evidence that there can be increased risk even when body mass is not affected. Yet while testosterone-impaired mice developed insulin resistance whatever diet they were given, the effect was considerably more pronounced on those fed on a high fat diet. This reinforces Diabetes UK advice that a healthy balanced diet is important for everyone and particularly for those already at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.”