Serum testosterone does not affect bone mineral density in postmenopausal women.

Dilek Arpaci,Reyhan Ersoy,Fatma Saglam,Didem Ozdemir,Fatma Neslihan Cuhaci,Bekir Cakir

doi:10.1590/2359-3997000000085

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the correlation between serum testosterone levels and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. The study group was made up of postmenopausal women admitted to our tertiary center. Serum calcium, phosphorus, albumin, parathyroid hormone (PTH), thyrotropin (TSH), 25-OH vitamin D, and total testosterone concentrations were measured. Subjects were categorized into three groups regarding bone mineral density (BMD) values: normal (n = 22), osteopenia (n = 21), and osteoporosis (n = 21). Subjects were also categorized into three groups according to serum testosterone levels: low testosterone (n = 10), normal testosterone (n = 42), and high testosterone (n = 12). No significant difference was found for serum testosterone, TSH, calcium, phosphorus, albumin, PTH, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels among patients with normal BMD, osteopenia, and osteoporosis (p > 0.05). Lumbar spine, total femur, femoral neck, trochanteric, intertrochanteric, and Ward's triangle BMD values were similar for the different testosterone levels (p > 0.05). There was no correlation between serum testosterone levels and patient age, body-mass index, or any measured BMD values. Given the findings in our study, which failed to demonstrate a statistically significant relationship between testosterone and BMD, adjustment of other risk factors for osteoporosis might have a more distinctive effect in this setting.

Highlights

Osteoporosis is one of the most common skeletal diseases associated with susceptibility to fractures with minimal or no trauma, due to mechanical weakness and reduced bone mineral density (BMD) [1]
BMD mainly depends on peak bone mass achieved during childhood, the rate of bone loss during menopause, and aging following menopause in postmenopausal women [3]
Demographic parameters and laboratory results of groups according to measured BMD values are shown in table 1

Summary

Introduction

Osteoporosis is one of the most common skeletal diseases associated with susceptibility to fractures with minimal or no trauma, due to mechanical weakness and reduced bone mineral density (BMD) [1]. Estrogen deficiency is a well-known major risk factors for osteoporosis in women [4]. Not all women with estrogen deficiency develop osteoporosis. A recent study showed that androgens play a role in bone mass formation [5]. Androgen excess was shown to prevent the detrimental effects of estrogen deficiency [6]. According to the studies cited above and despite the possible role of androgens in the prevention of osteoporosis in premenopausal women, this issue has not been accurately clarified yet in postmenopausal women

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Results

Conclusion