Abstract
Endocrine impairment is more common in patients with diabetes than in general population. Hyper- and hypothyroidism increases cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Treatment with glucocorticoids in a dose of 7,5 mg methylprednisolone and higher considerably increases risk of vascular impairment. Patients cured from endogenous Cushing´s syndrome maintain increased cardiovascular risk factors and structural changes of vessels.
Subclinical hypercortisolism seems to have little effect. Growth hormone (GH) insufficiency increases cardiovascular risks and contributes to increased mortality of these patients.
To the contrary increased GH production in acromegaly effect more heart than vessels. Low testosterone level increases the risk of type-2 diabetes and in diabetics is the testosterone level often low.
Substitution with testosterone can not only ameliorate hypogonadal symptoms but also decrease cardiovascular risk and even improve control of diabetes.