Testosterone therapy shows promise for treating type 2 diabetes in men

Research is not conclusive, but evidence suggests the hormone can improve blood sugar control.

By Victoria Stagg Elliott, AMNews staff. Nov. 13, 2006.

More than a decade ago, Edward M. Lichten, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist in Birmingham, Mich., was prescribed testosterone to address symptoms of his own declining hormone levels. His patients noticed a change for the better and asked him to help their husbands. Dr. Lichten did, and noticed a change among them, too, particularly those with type 2 diabetes -- their blood sugar control improved dramatically.

"I have had patients who could reduce the amount of insulin they took by 50% within the first 30 days," said Dr. Lichten, whose patient population is now primarily male. He also will be consulting on an upcoming study of this strategy at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Mich.

With more evidence showing that low testosterone levels in men correlate to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, some physicians are contemplating whether supplementation of this hormone could be a possible treatment. Research confirming its effectiveness is limited. Most recently, early findings from a British study reported in the June European Journal of Endocrinology suggested that testosterone therapy reduced insulin resistance and improved blood sugar control for hypogonadal men with type 2 diabetes. Body fat and cholesterol levels also went down.

This report of the ongoing study included 24 patients treated for three months; additional studies are also examining the approach from various angles.

A systematic review published in the March 15 Journal of the American Medical Association found that men with high testosterone levels had a lower risk of developing diabetes.