scholarly journals Plasma androgens and the presence and course of depression in a large cohort of women

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anouk E. de Wit ◽  
Erik J. Giltay ◽  
Marrit K. de Boer ◽  
Fokko J. Bosker ◽  
Aviva Y. Cohn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Testing ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ◽  
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Physiological Range ◽  
Statistical Equivalence ◽  
Androgen Levels

AbstractMajor depressive disorder (MDD) has a higher prevalence in women with supraphysiologic androgen levels. Whether there is also an association between depression and androgen levels in the physiological range, is unknown. This study examined if women with current MDD have higher androgen levels compared to women who have never had MDD, and if androgen levels are associated with onset and remission of MDD. In 1659 women (513 current MDD, 754 remitted MDD, and 392 never MDD), baseline plasma levels of total testosterone, 5α-dihydrotestosterone, and androstenedione were determined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) with radioimmunoassays. Free testosterone was calculated. MDD status was assessed at baseline, and at 2 and 4 years follow-up. Women were aged between 18 and 65 years (mean age 41) with total testosterone levels in the physiological range (geometric mean 0.72 nmol/L [95% CI 0.27–1.93]). After adjusting for covariates and multiple testing, women with current MDD had a higher mean free testosterone than women who never had MDD (adjusted geometric mean 8.50 vs. 7.55 pmol/L, p = 0.0005), but this difference was not large enough to be considered clinically meaningful as it was consistent with statistical equivalence. Levels of other androgens and SHBG did not differ and were also statistically equivalent between the groups. None of the androgens or SHBG levels predicted onset or remission of MDD. Our findings support the idea that plasma androgens within the physiological range have no or only limited effects on depressive disorders in women.

scholarly journals Free testosterone and malignant melanoma risk in men: prospective analyses of testosterone and SHBG with 19 cancers in men and postmenopausal women UK Biobank

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleanor L. Watts ◽  
Aurora Perez-Cornago ◽  
Anika Knuppel ◽  
Konstantinos K. Tsilidis ◽  
Timothy J. Key ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Malignant Melanoma ◽  
Liver Cancer ◽  
Postmenopausal Women ◽  
Multiple Testing ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Uk Biobank

AbstractWe investigated the associations of estimated free and total circulating testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) with cancer risk in men and postmenopausal women, using a pan-cancer approach, including 19 cancers in UK Biobank.Risk was estimated using multivariable-adjusted Cox regression in up to 182,608 men and 122,112 postmenopausal women who were cancer-free at baseline. Participants diagnosed with cancer within two years of baseline were excluded. Hazard ratios (HRs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were corrected for regression dilution bias using repeat measurements. We accounted for multiple testing using the false discovery rate.In men, higher free testosterone was associated with higher risks of melanoma and prostate cancer (HR per 50 pmol/L increase=1.35, 95% CI 1.14-1.61 and 1.10,1.04-1.18, respectively). Higher total testosterone was associated with an elevated risk of liver cancer (HR per 5 nmol/L=2.45,1.56-3.84), and higher SHBG was associated with a higher risk of liver cancer (HR per 10 nmol/L=1.56,1.31-1.87) and a lower risk of prostate cancer (0.93,0.91-0.96); associations with liver cancer were attenuated after excluding early follow-up. In postmenopausal women, higher free and total testosterone and lower SHBG were associated with elevated risks of endometrial (HR per 10 pmol/L=1.59,1.32-1.90; HR per 0.5 nmol/L=1.34,1.18-1.52 and HR per 25 nmol/L=0.78,0.67-0.91, respectively) and breast cancer (1.32,1.22-1.43;1.24,1.17-1.31 and 0.88,0.83-0.94, respectively).We report a novel association of free testosterone with malignant melanoma in men; our findings also support known associations between sex hormones and risks for prostate, breast and endometrial cancers. The association with liver cancer in men may be attributable to reverse causation.

scholarly journals Male sex hormones response after a month-long Himalayas trek in relation to hemoglobin oxygen saturation

Kinesiology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-164
Author(s):  
Lana Ružić ◽  
Maja Cigrovski Berković ◽  
Hrvoje Starčević ◽  
Dražen Lovrić ◽  
Branka R. Matković
Keyword(s):  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Physical Exertion ◽  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ◽  
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Hemoglobin Oxygen Saturation ◽  
Subsequent Decrease ◽  
Male Sex ◽  
Potential Impact

High-altitude tourism is becoming increasingly popular among non-athletic population, but its potential impact on health is often neglected. This study investigated the changes in male sex hormones after the trek at altitudes between 1400 m and 6476 m. Seventeen recreational lowland men (age 48±11 years) participated in a 26-day Himalayan trek, with the highest point reached being Mera Peak. The initial measurements were performed 10 days before departure and included blood tests (total testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin – SHBG, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate – DHEA-S, follicle stimulating hormone – FSH, and luteinizing hormone – LH) and ergometry on a treadmill. The final measurements were done 24 h after the return to 122 m (four days after reaching the altitude of 4300 m, and eight days after the altitude of 6476 m). During the tour, SpO2 and heart rate were measured 21 times. An increase in SHBG (42.6±10.6 to 50.7±12.0 nmol·L-1; p=.011), and subsequent decrease in calculated free testosterone (1.8±0.3 to 1.6±0.3%; p=.003) were observed. There was a significant correlation between the relative testosterone decrease and SHBG with mean SpO2 (Spearman R=-0.64 and 0.41, respectively). LH and FSH increased significantly (FSH Median/ IQR before=3.9/3.1-5.4 and after 4.6/4.0-7.1 IU·L-1; p=.001 and LH Median/IQR before=4.8/3.1-5.2 and after 5.9/4.9-9.3 IU·L-1; p=.008). The changes in LH and FSH did not correlate with SpO2, whereas the physical fitness levels (expressed in MET) did. The pituitary-adrenal-gonadal axis was affected by the altitude trek (involving physical exertion and hypoxia in combination), but the origin, duration and impact of changes in various aspects of men’s health should be further investigated.

scholarly journals Endogenous Testosterone Levels Are Associated with Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Women without Established Comorbidity

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon J Rasmussen ◽  
Christian Selmer ◽  
Signe Frøssing ◽  
Morten Schou ◽  
Jens Faber ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽  
Plasma Testosterone ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Incident Type ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Androgen Levels

Abstract Purpose The impact of endogenous androgen levels on the risk of type 2 diabetes in women remains uncertain. The objective was to investigate associations between endogenous androgen levels and risk of type 2 diabetes in young women without established comorbidity. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, women aged 18 to 50 years who underwent measurement of plasma testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) for the first time from January 2007 to December 2015 were included. Androgens were analyzed using tandem liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Women with established comorbidity were excluded, using Danish healthcare registries. We calculated incidence rate ratios (IRRs, 95% confidence intervals) of type 2 diabetes according to quartiles of plasma androgens using multivariate Poisson regression models. Results A total of 8876 women, with a mean ± SD age of 38.5 ± 4.6 years and a median (interquartile range [IQR]) follow-up duration of 8.1 (6.6-9.4) years, were eligible for analyses. During 69 728 person-years, 69 women were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Women in the highest quartile of plasma total testosterone and calculated free testosterone displayed increased risk of type 2 diabetes compared with the lowest quartile: IRR 1.97 (1.01; 3.85), P = .048 and IRR 7.32 (2.84; 18.83), P < .001. SHBG was inversely associated with type 2 diabetes, Q4 versus Q1; IRR 0.06 (0.02; 0.21), P < .001. Plasma DHEA-S and DHT were not associated with incident type 2 diabetes. Conclusions Higher levels of plasma total and free testosterone were associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes among women.

Sex-specific young adult reference ranges for sex hormone concentrations measured on the Siemens ADVIA Centaur/Geschlechtsspezifische Referenzbereiche für Sexualhormonkonzentrationen junger Erwachsener gemessen auf dem Siemens ADVIA Centaur

2012 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anke Hannemann ◽  
Nele Friedrich ◽  
Christin Spielhagen ◽  
Matthias Nauck ◽  
Robin Haring
Keyword(s):  
Regression Models ◽  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ◽  
Sex Hormone ◽  
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Serum Concentrations ◽  
Hormone Binding ◽  
Free Androgen Index

AbstractThe present study aims to determine reference ranges for sex hormone concentrations measured on the Siemens ADVIA CentaurThe study sample consisted of 1638 individuals (814 men and 824 women) aged 18–60 years with measured serum concentrations of total testosterone (TT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS). Values for free testosterone (free T) and free androgen index (FAI) were calculated. Sex- and age-specific (18 to <25, 25 to <35, 35 to <45, and ≥45 years) reference ranges for these sex hormones were determined using quantile regression models for each sex hormone separately.Sex hormone reference ranges were determined across each single year of age separately for men (TT: 5.60–29.58 nmol/L, SHBG: 17.65–73.64 nmol/L, DHEAS: 0.96–4.43 mg/L, free T: 0.10–0.51 nmol/L, and FAI: 15.04–70.37 nmol/L) and women (TT: 0.77–2.85 nmol/L, SHBG: 27.06–262.76 nmol/L, DHEAS: 0.50–3.15 mg/L, free T: 0.005–0.05 nmol/L, and FAI: 0.51–8.30 nmol/L), respectively.

scholarly journals Hypogonadism and liver fibrosis in HIV-infected patients

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Quiros-Roldan ◽  
T. Porcelli ◽  
L. C. Pezzaioli ◽  
M. Degli Antoni ◽  
S. Paghera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Pituitary Dysfunction ◽  
Consequent Reduction ◽  
Secondary Hypogonadism ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Purpose Hypogonadism is frequent in HIV-infected men and might impact on metabolic and sexual health. Low testosterone results from either primary testicular damage, secondary hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, or from liver-derived sex-hormone-binding-globulin (SHBG) elevation, with consequent reduction of free testosterone. The relationship between liver fibrosis and hypogonadism in HIV-infected men is unknown. Aim of our study was to determine the prevalence and type of hypogonadism in a cohort of HIV-infected men and its relationship with liver fibrosis. Methods We performed a cross-sectional retrospective study including 107 HIV-infected men (median age 54 years) with hypogonadal symptoms. Based on total testosterone (TT), calculated free testosterone, and luteinizing hormone, five categories were identified: eugonadism, primary, secondary, normogonadotropic and compensated hypogonadism. Estimates of liver fibrosis were performed by aspartate aminotransferase (AST)-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) and Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) scores. Results Hypogonadism was found in 32/107 patients (30.8%), with normogonadotropic (10/107, 9.3%) and compensated (17/107, 15.8%) being the most frequent forms. Patients with secondary/normogonadotropic hypogonadism had higher body mass index (BMI) (p < 0001). Patients with compensated hypogonadism had longer HIV infection duration (p = 0.031), higher APRI (p = 0.035) and FIB-4 scores (p = 0.008), and higher HCV co-infection. Univariate analysis showed a direct significant correlation between APRI and TT (p = 0.006) and SHBG (p = 0.002), and between FIB-4 and SHBG (p = 0.045). Multivariate analysis showed that SHBG was independently associated with both liver fibrosis scores. Conclusion Overt and compensated hypogonadism are frequently observed among HIV-infected men. Whereas obesity is related to secondary hypogonadism, high SHBG levels, related to liver fibrosis degree and HCV co-infection, are responsible for compensated forms.

scholarly journals In men older than 70 years, total testosterone remains stable while free testosterone declines with age. The Health in Men Study

2007 ◽  
Vol 156 (5) ◽  
pp. 585-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bu B Yeap ◽  
Osvaldo P Almeida ◽  
Zoë Hyde ◽  
Paul E Norman ◽  
S A Paul Chubb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Older Men ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Testosterone Concentration ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Clinical Consequences

Objective: An age-related decline in serum total and free testosterone concentration may contribute to ill health in men, but limited data are available for men > 70 years of age. We sought to determine the distribution and associations of reduced testosterone concentrations in older men. Design: The Health in Men Study is a community-representative prospective cohort investigation of 4263 men aged ≥ 70 years. Cross-sectional hormone data from 3645 men were analysed. Methods: Early morning sera were assayed for total testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and LH. Free testosterone was calculated using the Vermeulen method. Results: Mean (± s.d.) serum total testosterone was 15.4 ± 5.6 nmol/l (444 ± 162 ng/dl), SHBG 42.4 ± 16.7 nmol/l and free testosterone 278 ± 96 pmol/l (8.01 ± 2.78 ng/dl). Total testosterone correlated with SHBG (Spearman’s r = 0.6, P < 0.0001). LH and SHBG increased with age (r = 0.2, P < 0.0001 for both). Instead of declining, total testosterone increased marginally (r = 0.04, P = 0.007) whilst free testosterone declined with age (r = −0.1, P < 0.0001). Free testosterone was inversely correlated with LH (r = −0.1, P < 0.0001). In multivariate analyses, increasing age, body mass index (BMI) and LH were associated with lower free testosterone. Conclusions: In men aged 70–89 years, modulation of androgen action may occur via an age-related increase in SHBG and reduction in free testosterone without a decline in total testosterone concentration. Increasing age, BMI and LH are independently associated with lower free testosterone. Further investigation would be required to assess the clinical consequences of low serum free testosterone, particularly in older men in whom total testosterone may be preserved.

scholarly journals The importance of SHBG and calculated free testosterone for the diagnosis of symptomatic hypogonadism in HIV-infected men: a single-centre real-life experience

Infection ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Letizia Chiara Pezzaioli ◽  
Eugenia Quiros-Roldan ◽  
Simone Paghera ◽  
Teresa Porcelli ◽  
Filippo Maffezzoni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Experience ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Sexual Symptoms ◽  
Low Testosterone ◽  
Gonadal Status ◽  
Spearman’S Correlation

Abstract Purpose The prevalence of low testosterone and symptoms of hypogonadism in HIV-infected men is still debated. We aimed to estimate the prevalence and type of hypogonadism in HIV-infected males complaining about sexual symptoms, and to evaluate the role of calculated free testosterone (cFT) vs total testosterone (TT) for diagnosis. Furthermore, we evaluated relationship between sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), gonadal status and clinical and virologic parameters. Methods We retrospectively evaluated 169 HIV-infected men with sexual symptoms, with TT available. Among them, we selected 94 patients with TT, SHBG, cFT, and luteinizing hormone (LH) available, and classified hypogonadism into overt (low TT and/or low cFT) and compensated (high LH, normal TT and cFT). Comparison was performed by non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis test and Spearman’s correlation was calculated to verify the possible associations. Results Overt and compensated hypogonadism were found in 20.2% and 13.8% of patients, respectively. With reliance on TT alone, only 10.6% of patients would have met diagnosis. SHBG values were elevated in one third of patients, and higher in men with compensated hypogonadism. Significant positive correlation was found between SHBG and HIV infection duration, TT and LH. Conclusion Only a complete hormonal profile can properly diagnose and classify hypogonadism in HIV-infected men complaining about sexual symptoms. TT alone reliance may lead to half of diagnoses missing, while lack of gonadotropin prevents the identification of compensated hypogonadism. This largely comes from high SHBG, which seems to play a central role in the pathogenesis of hypogonadism in this population.

scholarly journals The analog free testosterone assay: are the results in men clinically useful?

1998 ◽  
Vol 44 (10) ◽  
pp. 2178-2182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen J Winters ◽  
David E Kelley ◽  
Bret Goodpaster
Keyword(s):  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
Serum Concentrations ◽  
Testosterone Concentration ◽  
Low Testosterone ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Constant Percentage

Abstract Men with low testosterone concentrations are usually hypogonadal. However, because variations in the testosterone transport protein, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), directly influence the total testosterone concentration, confirmation of a low testosterone with a measurement of free testosterone or “bioavailable” testosterone (BAT) is recommended. In the present study, we examined the relationship of SHBG with free testosterone (Coat-A-Count assay, Diagnostic Products) and with BAT in men (n = 29) and women (n = 28) who participated in a study of the metabolic determinants of body composition. As expected, total testosterone was strongly positively correlated with SHBG among men (r = 0.68; P &lt;0.01). Although the BAT was independent of SHBG in men (r = 0.02), SHBG was an important predictor of free testosterone (r = 0. 62; P &lt;0.01). In contrast, in women serum concentrations of total testosterone (r = −0.26; P = 0.17), free testosterone (r = −0.30; P = 0.17), and BAT (r = −0.46; P = 0.013) all tended to be lower with increasing SHBG. Free testosterone was nearly perfectly positively correlated with total testosterone (r = 0.97) in men, among whom free testosterone represented a relatively constant percentage of the total testosterone (0.5–0.65%), and the percentage of free testosterone was unrelated to SHBG. Thus the Coat-A-Count free testosterone concentration in men, like the total testosterone concentration, is determined in part by plasma SHBG. Accordingly, androgen deficiency may be misclassified with this assay in men with low SHBG. Moreover, the previous findings of reduced free testosterone concentrations with hypertension or hyperinsulinemia or as a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes, conditions in which SHBG is reduced, may have been methodology-related.

scholarly journals Exercise training improves free testosterone in lifelong sedentary aging men

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 306-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lawrence D Hayes ◽  
Peter Herbert ◽  
Nicholas F Sculthorpe ◽  
Fergal M Grace
Keyword(s):  
Interval Training ◽  
Free Testosterone ◽  
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ◽  
Total Testosterone ◽  
High Intensity Interval Training ◽  
Baseline Phase ◽  
Aging Men ◽  
High Intensity Interval ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Older Males

As the impact of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on systemic hormones in aging men is unstudied to date, we investigated whether total testosterone (TT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), free testosterone (free-T) and cortisol (all in serum) were altered following HIIT in a cohort of 22 lifelong sedentary (62 ± 2 years) older men. As HIIT requires preconditioning exercise in sedentary cohorts, participants were tested at three phases, each separated by six-week training; baseline (phase A), following conditioning exercise (phase B) and post-HIIT (phase C). Each measurement phase used identical methods. TT was significantly increased following HIIT (~17%; P < 0.001) with most increase occurring during preconditioning (~10%; P = 0.007). Free-T was unaffected by conditioning exercise (P = 0.102) but was significantly higher following HIIT compared to baseline (~4.5%; P = 0.023). Cortisol remained unchanged from A to C (P = 0.138). The present data indicate a combination of preconditioning, and HIIT increases TT and SHBG in sedentary older males, with the HIIT stimulus accounting for a small but statistically significant increase in free-T. Further study is required to determine the biological importance of small improvements in free-T in aging men.

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