Hormonal changes in elderly men with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and the hormonal relationships to abdominal adiposity.

To elucidate the hormonal changes in elderly men with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and the hormonal relationship to abdominal adiposity, we measured serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), T3, T4, TSH, testosterone, LH, and FSH levels, body mass index (BMI), skinfold thickness and waist-to-hip circumference ratio (W/H) in 40 elderly men (aged over 60 years), 20 elderly men with NIDDM (aged over 60 years) and 30 men aged 21-40 years (controls). The results showed that elderly men with and without NIDDM had lower serum T3, testosterone and IGF-1 levels and higher serum LH and FSH levels compared with controls. Elderly men with NIDDM had even lower serum testosterone levels compared with elderly men without NIDDM. Elderly men had a higher W/H ratio compared with controls. Elderly men with NIDDM had a higher W/H ratio, BMI and skinfold thickness than elderly men without NIDDM. Age was positively correlated with the W/H ratio. Serum LH and FSH levels were positively correlated with the W/H ratio, and serum IGF-1, T3 and testosterone levels were negatively correlated with W/H ratio. Age, serum IGF-1, T3, T4, TSH, LH and FSH levels were not related to BMI or skinfold thickness. Only serum testosterone levels were negatively correlated with BMI or skinfold thickness. In conclusion, elderly men with NIDDM were associated with a marked decrease in serum testosterone levels and an increase of the W/H ratio compared to other groups in addition to the age-associated decrease of serum T3, IGF-1 and testosterone levels and increase of the W/H ratio and serum LH and FSH levels.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)