Evaluation of serum LH and its role in hypogonadism among men with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) frequently disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, leading to hypogonadism. Luteinizing hormone (LH) is crucial for testosterone production, and its suppression in T2DM contributes to reproductive and metabolic dysfunction. This study investigates the relationship between glycemic status and serum LH levels in men with T2DM to elucidate its role in diabetic hypogonadism. Objectives: To measure serum LH in men with T2DM, assess hypogonadism prevalence, and analyze the correlation between LH and testosterone levels. Materials and Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study conducted at the Department of Biochemistry, BIRDEM General Hospital, from July 2023 to June 2024, which enrolled 30-50-year-old men with T2DM (Group A) and healthy controls (Group B). Serum LH, testosterone, glycemic, and lipid profiles were analyzed. Statistical comparisons used independent t-tests and Pearson’s correlation in SPSS version 22.0. Ethical approval was obtained. Results: Men with T2DM exhibited significantly lower serum LH levels (3.77 ± 1.50 mIU/ml) compared to healthy controls (7.35 ± 1.85 mIU/ml; p<0.001). A strong positive correlation was found between LH and bioavailable testosterone (r=+0.599, p<0.001). LH levels also showed strong negative correlations with total cholesterol (r=-0.704), triglycerides (r=-0.617), and LDL-C (r=-0.631), but a positive correlation with HDL-C (r=+0.584) (all p<0.001). Conclusion: Men with type 2 diabetes have significantly suppressed LH levels, which are strongly correlated with adverse lipid profiles and reduced testosteronefor appropriately selected patients, supporting its integration into routine clinical practice.