Male hypogonadism and obesity, the metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes

There is increasing evidence of a link between reduced serum testosterone levels and obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes in men. While these conditions predispose to hypoandrogenism, low testosterone levels are now being recognized as an independent risk factor for insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease. We aim to review the studies highlighting these complex relationships and to explore the pathophysiologic mechanisms which account for the development of hypogonadism.