Total testosterone levels are correlated to metabolic syndrome components

Abstract

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a constellation of interrelated risk factors of metabolic origin. Some studies suggest a possible link between low total testosterone (TT) levels and the presence of MetS.Aim: To analyze the strength and independence of associations between TT and MetS components in non-diabetic men.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 143 non-diabetic men older than 40 were analyzed.Main outcomes measure: Blood samples were collected to evaluate metabolic profile and TT levels. MetS was defined as the presence of three or more of the following characteristics: fasting blood glucose levels ≥ 100 mg/dL, triglyceride ≥ 150 mg/dL, HDL-c < 40 mg/dL, hypertension or blood pressure ≥ 130/85 mmHg, and waist girth > 102 cm.Results: Mean age of the study population was 61.5 ± 8.61 years old. MetS was present in 47.9% of the individuals. Thirty-four men had low TT and MetS was observed in 23 (70%) against 50 (46%) in those with normal TT (≥ 300 ng/dL) (OR 4.94, p < 0.01), adjusted to confounder’s factors. In multiple linear regression analysis, only waist circumference (Beta: −0.395; p = 0.03) and HDL-c (Beta: 0.19; p = 0.04) remained significantly correlated with TT levels.Conclusions: Low TT levels were associated with MetS diagnosis. Abdominal obesity was the MetS component independently correlated to low TT levels.