TRT and Insulin Sensitivity in Men With Type 2 Diabetes

Last reviewed 2026-10-04 by Jack Mayeux, APRN, FNP. This page is clinical content and is reviewed on a regular schedule.

Medically reviewed by Jack Mayeux, FNP

In diabetic men with low T, 24 weeks of testosterone improved insulin sensitivity by about a third and lowered inflammation markers.

This article walks through the Diabetes Care (2016) (https://doi.org/10.2337/dc15-1518) paper in plain English: what was studied, what changed, what the limits are, and what it does not prove. Full citation and DOI link (https://doi.org/10.2337/dc15-1518) are at the end, with a PubMed record (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26622051/).

What the study found

Researchers recruited 94 men with type 2 diabetes. The 44 with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism were randomized to testosterone injections (250 mg every two weeks) or placebo for 24 weeks, and insulin sensitivity was measured with a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp.

In this small trial, insulin sensitivity measures improved with testosterone compared with placebo. It was a small trial, visceral fat didn't change, and the larger TRAVERSE substudy found no glycemic benefit from TRT.

Key finding (from the study record): Insulin sensitivity (clamp GIR) improved at 24 weeks on T vs no change placebo (P=.03); CRP, IL-1b, TNF-a fell.

How the study was done

• Design: Randomized placebo-controlled trial • Who was studied: 44 men with T2D and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (of 94 screened) • Journal / year: Diabetes Care (2016) • First author: Dhindsa S et al.

From the abstract: OBJECTIVE: One-third of men with type 2 diabetes have hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH). We conducted a randomized placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the effect of testosterone replacement on insulin resistance in men with type 2 diabetes and HH. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 94 men with type 2 diabetes were recruited into the study; 50 men were eugonadal, while 44 men had HH.

What it means — and what it does not

Useful takeaway: In diabetic men with low T, 24 weeks of testosterone improved insulin sensitivity by about a third and lowered inflammation markers.

Limits and caveats: Small (44 randomized). Visceral and liver fat unchanged. Not a diabetes treatment.

This evidence can inform a conversation with a licensed provider. It is not a guarantee of similar results for you, and it is not a recommendation to start, stop, or change any medication on your own.

Related research we cite

• Testosterone treatment to prevent or revert type 2 diabetes in men enrolled in a lifestyle programme (T4DM): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-year, phase 3b trial (https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(20)30367-3) — Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol (2021); also on PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33338415/). Takeaway: Added to a lifestyle program, testosterone cut the share of men with type 2 diabetes at 2 years by about 41% vs placebo.

How this connects to care

A2Z serves men in Utah with telehealth evaluation, labs, and provider-guided plans when appropriate. The TRT program is $149/month and includes initial labs only. Tadalafil and enclomiphene, sermorelin, and tirzepatide (compounded, not FDA-approved) are separate products.

Relevant pages on this site:

• Tirzepatide (https://a2ztrt.com/tirzepatide) (branded trial drugs are not the same as compounded products, which are not FDA-approved) • Tirzepatide vs. semaglutide (https://a2ztrt.com/tirzepatide-vs-semaglutide) (branded trial drugs are not the same as compounded products, which are not FDA-approved) • TRT program (https://a2ztrt.com/trt)

FAQ

What did this study actually find?

In diabetic men with low T, 24 weeks of testosterone improved insulin sensitivity by about a third and lowered inflammation markers. The design was: Randomized placebo-controlled trial. Population: 44 men with T2D and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (of 94 screened).

Does this mean I should start treatment?

No. Research informs care; it does not prescribe it. A licensed provider reviews your symptoms, labs, and history before any decision. Results vary.

What are the main limits of this evidence?

Small (44 randomized). Visceral and liver fat unchanged. Not a diabetes treatment.

Keep reading

• What Is a Normal Testosterone Level, Really? (https://a2ztrt.com/post/what-is-a-normal-testosterone-level) • Can You Drink Alcohol on TRT? What Men Should Know (https://a2ztrt.com/post/can-you-drink-alcohol-on-trt) • Does TRT Cause Hair Loss? What the Evidence Actually Says (https://a2ztrt.com/post/does-trt-cause-hair-loss) • TRT and Insulin Sensitivity in Men With Type 2 Diabetes (https://a2ztrt.com/post/testosterone-insulin-sensitivity)

Reference

Dhindsa S et al. Insulin Resistance and Inflammation in Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism and Their Reduction After Testosterone Replacement in Men With Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2016. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc15-1518 (https://doi.org/10.2337/dc15-1518) · PubMed 26622051 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26622051/).

Next step

Start a free consult in Utah (https://a2ztrt.com/contact). Bring your questions — including anything this study raised for you.

The TRT program is $149/month and includes initial labs only. Tadalafil and enclomiphene, sermorelin, and tirzepatide (compounded, not FDA-approved) are separate products.

Talk to a licensed provider. Results vary. Not medical advice.