Testosterone therapy for prevention and reversal of type 2 diabetes in men with low testosterone

Abstract

Men with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes (T2D) have a high prevalence of testosterone deficiency (TD). Similarly, men with TD have an increased risk of developing obesity and/or T2D, and further body fat accumulation and deterioration of glycemic control create a vicious cycle. The landmark testosterone for diabetes mellitus trial, the largest randomized controlled trial of testosterone therapy (TTh) to date, confirms the beneficial effects of TTh on fat loss and gain in muscle mass, and that TTh for 2 years significantly reduces the risk of incident T2D, and may also reverse T2D. The testosterone for diabetes mellitus trial suggests that TTh reduces the risk of T2D and results in greater improvement in sexual function and wellbeing, beyond lifestyle intervention alone.