Testosterone might be influenced by co-morbidities, not by aging
BACKGROUND: Total testosterone in men decreasing with age is well-established. However, observations on aging-related decrease in total testosterone (TT) are not consistent. The aim of this study is to seek the relationship between testosterone and health status and investigate the influence of the chronic disease to testosterone level. METHODS: A total of 4,284 aged ≥ 40 year old men were included between 2008 and 2013. The subjects divided to two groups (chronic disease group versus normal group). Blood tests results and clinical data, including serum total testosterone, were checked and compared between the groups. RESULTS: Our data showed that 2,041 subjects had chronic diseases (47.6%), and 2,243 were normal (52.4%). Total testosterone and age(r=0.032, P=0.034), HDL(r=0.133, P<0.001) had positive correlation, respectively. On the other hand, BMI(r=-0.198, P<0.001), waist circumference(r=-0.184, P<0.001), blood pressure, ALT(r=-0.132, P<0.001), fasting sugar(r=-0.105, P<0.001), Triglyceride(r=-0.119, P<0.001) and albumin(r=-0.108, P<0.001) showed negative correlation with total testosterone, respectively. Total testosterone level did not decrease with age. People who had metabolic syndrome, hypertension and diabetes were had lower total testosterone than normal population. Odds ratio of the hypogonadism in chronic disease group compared to normal group was 1.595(95% CI, 1.355-1.876, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The total testosterone level was lower in chronic disease group compared to healthy subjects. Total testosterone level influenced by disease status, not by aging.
Testosterone, Chronic disease, Hypogonadism, Aging
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