Student's Journal of Health Research Africa (Dec 2023)

CHANGES IN SERUM TESTOSTERONE LEVELS IN MALES WITH PREDIABETES UNDERGOING METFORMIN THERAPY: A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL STUDY.

  • Anand Kishor,
  • Anjali Kumari,
  • Sudhir Kumar,
  •  Chandan Kumar

DOI
https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v4i12.864
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4, no. 12

Abstract

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Introduction: Hypogonadism is a commonly encountered condition observed in individuals presenting with both diabetes and prediabetes. Metformin, a pharmacological agent classified as an insulin sensitizer, has received regulatory approval as a therapeutic intervention for individuals who have received a diagnosis of prediabetes. The objective of this investigation is to assess the potential influence of metformin on serum testosterone concentrations in males who have been diagnosed with prediabetes. Materials and Methods: The study comprised a cohort of 50 male individuals diagnosed with prediabetes. The participants were stratified into two distinct cohorts - Category A, comprising individuals with a baseline serum testosterone level exceeding 300 ng/dl, and Category B, consisting of individuals with a baseline serum testosterone level below 300 ng/dl. The patient's testosterone levels were reassessed following a 3-month course of metformin therapy. Result: Substantial improvement in serum testosterone levels was observed among prediabetic men in the hypogonadal group. Both cohorts of participants exhibited amelioration in the manifestation of erectile dysfunction. Conclusion: Metformin therapy in males with prediabetes has been shown to contribute to the enhancement of testosterone levels. Recommendation: According to this study, metformin therapy may be an option for prediabetic men with baseline blood testosterone levels < 300 ng/dl. The improvement in blood testosterone levels and erectile dysfunction symptoms imply that metformin may help prediabetics manage hypogonadism. When contemplating metformin therapy for prediabetes, doctors should examine the patient's risk factors, health, and treatment goals. Further research and clinical studies may reveal metformin's long-term efficacy and safety in treating hypogonadism in this population.

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