Low Testosterone Levels Are Associated With Poor Peripheral Bone Mineral Density and Quantitative Bone Ultrasound at Phalanges and Calcaneus in Healthy Elderly Men

Abstract

Variations in sex hormones influence bone health in men. Aging in men is associated with a decrease in testosterone (T) levels. We examined the relationship between T levels and changes in bone health status as measured by quantitative ultrasound (QUS) at the phalanges and the os calcis and by peripheral bone mineral density (pBMD) at the phalanges in healthy elderly Spanish men. We examined 162 men aged 65-88 years and assessed total serum T concentrations. Total serum T < 300 ng/dL was used as the threshold for biochemical T deficiency. The sample was divided into low (n = 66) or normal (n = 96) T levels; both groups were matched for age, weight, height, and body mass index (p> .05 for all the comparisons). All measured bone parameters were higher in the normal serum T group (p < .05). Multiple regression analysis revealed that serum T was an independent predictor of both QUS at the calcaneus and phalangeal pBMD. Our data indicate that T is an independent determinant of QUS at the os calcis and pBMD at the phalanges in elderly Spanish men.

Evaluation and Management of Testosterone Deficiency: AUA Guideline

“…This assessment should include evaluation of general body habitus; virilization status (examination of body hair patterns and amounts in androgen dependent areas); body mass index or waist circumference; gynecomastia; testicular evaluation including presence, size, consistency and masses; varicocele presence; and prostate size and morphology. 5,6 A meta-analysis of the literature suggests that men who have a history of unexplained anemia, 7 bone density loss, 8 diabetes, 9 exposure to chemotherapy, 10 direct or scatter radiation therapy to the testes, 11 HIV, 12 a history of chronic narcotic use, 13 infertility, 14 pituitary disorders, 15 and chronic corticosteroid use 16 are at risk for low testosterone. The Panel recommends measuring testosterone in all patients who have a history of these conditions, even in the absence of symptoms or signs listed above.…”

Testosterone, Risk Taking, and Religiosity: Evidence from Two Cultures

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“…For those who are curious about the causes of variations in 2D:4D, particularly as they relate to sex differences, testosterone has been shown to promote bone growth, including growth of the bones in the fingers (Malas et al 2006;Moran et al 2015). Once the gonads have differentiated into either testes (in males) or ovaries (in females) by mid-gestation, males are producing much higher levels of testosterone (shown in Figure 1).…”

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