Effect of Metformin on Testosterone Levels in Male Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Treated With Insulin

Abstract

Aim: To explore the chronic effects of metformin on testosterone levels in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a real-world study evaluating the efficacy and safety of premixed insulin treatment in patients with T2DM via 3-month intermittent flash glucose monitoring. Male patients aged 18-60 who were using metformin during the 3-month study period were included as the metformin group. The control group included males without metformin therapy by propensity score matching analysis with age as a covariate. Testosterone levels were measured at baseline and after 3-month treatment.

Results: After 3-month treatment, the control group had higher levels of total testosterone, free and bioavailable testosterone than those at baseline (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the change of total (-0.82 ± 0.59 vs. 0.99 ± 0.59 nmol/L) and bioavailable (-0.13 ± 0.16 vs. 0.36 ± 0.16 nmol/L) testosterone levels in the metformin group significantly decreased (P=0.036 and 0.029, respectively). In Glycated Albumin (GA) improved subgroup, the TT, FT, and Bio-T levels in the control subgroup were higher than their baseline levels (P < 0.05). Compared with the metformin subgroup, TT level in the control subgroup also increased significantly (P=0.044). In GA unimproved subgroup, the change of TT level in the metformin subgroup was significantly lower than that in the control subgroup (P=0.040).

Conclusion: In men with T2DM, 3-month metformin therapy can reduce testosterone levels, and counteract the testosterone elevation that accompanied with the improvement of blood glucose.

Clinical trial registration: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04847219?term=04847219&draw=2&rank=1.

Keywords: Glycated Albumin; blood glucose; metformin; testosterone levels; type 2 diabetic mellitus.