Endocrinologists at the University at Buffalo have found that young type-2 diabetic men have significantly low levels of testosterone.

Such findings followed research published earlier by the same research group reporting that one-third of middle-aged men with type 2 diabetes have low testosterone levels - thereby requiring treatment for erectile dysfunction.

Low levels of testosterone have great impact in the quality of life and their ability to father children.

According to Paresh Dandona, Ph.D., UB Distinguished Professor in the Department of Medicine and senior author on both studies:

"These new findings have several clinical implications besides the impairment of sexual function in these young men.

The lack of testosterone during these critical years may lead to diminished bone mass and the lack of development or lose of skeletal muscle. In addition, these patients may gain more weight (with an average body mass index of 38 they already were obese) and become more insulin resistant.

Also, patients with low testosterone and type 2 diabetes have been shown to have very high concentrations of C reactive protein, which increases their risk of developing atherosclerosis and heart disease above and beyond the risk associated with diabetes."

Study findings have been reported in the recent online edition of Diabetes Care.

Find more details from the University of Buffalo.