Study Finds Link Between Testosterone and Anemia
Low testosterone levels were associated with anemia in men with type 2 diabetes, according to the findings of a recent study.
The cross-sectional study included 45 men with diabetes between 52 and 74 years of age who were treated at an outpatient clinic. Researchers obtained sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, measured serum total testosterone levels and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) from serum creatinine. Low testosterone was classified as levels below 10.4 nmol/L, and the mean testosterone level was 14.8 ± 5.2 nmol/L.
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Overall, 24% of participants were identified with low serum testosterone levels. Participants with low levels of testosterone had significantly lower Hb concentrations compared with participants who had normal testosterone levels (11.7 g/dl vs 13.2 g/dl, respectively), indicating a significant positive association between testosterone and Hb concentrations.
Testosterone remained independently associated with Hb concentration after researchers adjusted for age and GFR.
“Testosterone induces erythropoesis by increasing production of hematopoietic factors and increasing erythroid stem cell proliferation. Low serum testosterone likely contributes to anemia that is found among men with type 2 diabetes mellitus,” the researchers wrote.
“The presence of features of hypogonadism should trigger evaluation for anemia in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus.”
—Melissa Weiss
Reference:
Awofisoye O, Esan A, Adeleye J, and Akande T. Low serum testosterone is associated with anaemia among men with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Presented at: 2017 American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists 26th Annual Scientific and Clinical Congress; May 3-7, 2017; Austin, TX. Abstract #232.