Endogenous sex hormones, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes in men and women

Curr Cardiol Rep. 2014 Apr;16(4):467. doi: 10.1007/s11886-014-0467-6.

Abstract

Endogenous sex hormones predict impairments of glucose regulation. Cross-sectional studies suggest that lower levels of testosterone in men and higher levels in women increase risk of metabolic syndrome and diabetes, whereas lower levels of sex hormone binding globulin in both men and women increase risk of metabolic syndrome and diabetes. In a systematic review, we summarize existing longitudinal studies, which suggest similar patterns. However, these studies are often limited to a single sex steroid measure. Whether these associations are primarily a marker of adiposity, and whether these associations differ between younger eugonadal vs older hypogonadal adults is also uncertain. The impact of exogenous sex steroid therapy may not reflect relationships between sex hormones and impaired glucose regulation that occur without supplementation. Therefore, examination of endogenous sex steroid trajectories and obesity trajectories within individuals might aid our understanding of how sex steroids contribute to glucose regulation.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Androgens / metabolism*
  • Androgens / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Blood Glucose
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone / metabolism*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / etiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / metabolism*
  • Estrogens / metabolism*
  • Estrogens / therapeutic use
  • Fasting
  • Female
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Homeostasis
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy / methods
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Metabolic Syndrome / etiology
  • Metabolic Syndrome / metabolism*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / metabolism*
  • Testosterone / metabolism*
  • Testosterone / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Androgens
  • Biomarkers
  • Blood Glucose
  • Estrogens
  • Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin
  • Testosterone
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone