Baseline Serum Testosterone Levels Research Articles

Lower pretreatment serum testosterone level predicts poor prognosis in the patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer undergoing androgen deprivation therapy.

This study aimed to reveal the association between pretreatment serum testosterone levels and prognosis in patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer treated with androgen deprivation therapy. A total of 91 patients were included in this retrospective study. Clinical data were obtained through chart review. Multivariate cox proportional hazards analyses addressed the impact of variables on castration-resistant prostate cancer-free and overall survivals. During a median follow-up of 41.7months, 61 (67%) and 49 (54%) patients developed castration-resistant prostate cancer and died, respectively. The median castration-resistant prostate cancer-free and overall survivals were 15.5 and 59.9months, respectively. The cutoff value for discriminating between low- and high-testosterone levels was determined as 450ng/dl by calculating the receiver operating characteristic curve. Patients in the low-testosterone group (n=37) had a significantly higher body mass index, worse comorbidities represented by the higher Charlson comorbidity index and higher serum lactate dehydrogenase levels, than those in the high-testosterone group (n=54). Castration-resistant prostate cancer free and overall survivals were significantly shorter in the low-testosterone group than in the high-testosterone group (P=0.021 and P<0.001, respectively). Multivariate analysis identified testosterone level of <450ng/dl as an independent factor predicting development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (hazard ratio 2.28, P=0.007), along with high-volume disease and Gleason score 9-10. Similarly, testosterone level of <450ng/dl was independently associated with shorter overall survival (hazard ratio 2.84, P=0.006), along with higher Charlson comorbidity index, visceral metastasis and higher alkaline phosphatase level. Lower baseline serum testosterone levels predict poor prognosis in patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.

Clomiphene Citrate in the Management of Infertility in Oligospermic Obese Men with Hypogonadism: Retrospective Pilot Study.

Background and Objectives: Obesity is a significant risk factor for hypogonadism and infertility that is further associated with reduced semen quality. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of clomiphene citrate (CC), prescribed for treating infertility, on serum testosterone and semen parameters, particularly in oligospermic obese hypogonadal men. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of data related to men (n = 53) who underwent CC treatment for infertility and hypogonadism (testosterone < 300 ng/dL) was performed. Patients with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and sperm concentration ≤ 15 × 106/mL were included for analysis. Results: The overall results showed that, in oligospermic obese men (n = 31), treatment with CC significantly improved baseline sperm concentration (4.5 ± 6.8 × 106/mL vs. 11.4 ± 15.5 × 106/mL, p < 0.05) and motility (31.5% ± 21.5% vs. 42.6% ± 14.7%, p < 0.05). Furthermore, subsequent examination of oligospermic hypogonadal obese men treated with CC (n = 13) revealed substantial improvements in baseline serum testosterone levels (193.8 ± 59.3 ng/dL vs. 332.7 ± 114.8 ng/dL, p < 0.05) along with an increase in sperm concentration, total motility, and normal morphology. Conclusions: The results of this retrospective study suggest that CC treatment not only improves chances of fertility outcomes by substantially improving semen parameters but also increases total serum testosterone levels in oligospermic obese men without any supplemental and expensive testosterone replacement therapy.

Baseline endogenous serum testosterone levels and all-cause mortality in men with prostate cancer treated by radical radiotherapy: 11-year follow-up data.

e17003 Background: Low levels of serum testosterone are associated with higher all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality in some studies.(PMID: 18040028). But men with low levels of serum testosterone at reduced risk of developing prostate cancer. (PMID: 30077399). In middle-aged and elderly men, single point testosterone measurements have been shown to reliably reflect long term androgen exposure. [PMID: 1548361]. We assessed the interaction of pre-treatment serum testosterone levels and long term all-cause mortality in men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer. Methods: Prostate cancer pts enrolled in an ethics approved, prospective study evaluating a rating scale. Baseline serum testosterone levels were measured before the pts were commenced on androgen deprivation therapy and radical radiotherapy. Patient characteristics: Mean age 68.2yrs (median 69yrs); Age range category &lt; 60yrs:14.9% , 61-70yrs:47.3% and &gt; 71 yrs: 37.8%. Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) prevalence at baseline as follows CCI- Low risk : 39.9%; CCI-medium risk : 51.4%; CCI-high risk: 8.8%. PSA median level was 10.85 ug/L. Tumour was localised in a majority of pts- stage T1/T2 in 72% . Pts with M1 disease were not enrolled. Histology grade: Gleeson grade 6 in 7.4% and Gleeson grade 7 in 53.4% . Serum testosterone: Median 11.9 nmol/l; Mean 12.4 (Min-Max 2.6 to 26.7). Cox proportional hazards regression used to analyze the effect of baseline Serum Testosterone on long term overall survival, while controlling for covariates (age, cancer T stage, PSA category, Gleeson Category and Charlson Comorbidity index). Results: Lower levels of serum testosterone at baseline were associated with decreased all-cause mortality. There was no significant correlation between testosterone levels and age in our study sample of relatively elderly population (Pearson Correlation p = 0.362); There was no correlation testosterone levels and PSA levels(P = 0.821); no association between serum Testosterone levels and Gleeson Grade as well as T stage. (F = 0.78 ; P = 0.46 and F = 1.34 ; P = 0.26 respectively). There was also no significant variation in testosterone levels according to Comorbidity categorised by Charlson Comorbidity Index. (F = 1.31 P = 0 .26). Conclusions: Lower Serum testosterone levels were associated with decreased all-cause mortality in this prospectively collected survival data of non-metastatic Prostate cancer patients. [Table: see text]

Improvement in scalp hair growth in androgen‐deficient women treated with testosterone: a questionnaire study

BackgroundAndrogens are thought to have an adverse effect on female scalp hair growth. However, our clinical experience of androgen replacement therapy in women with androgen deficiency, in which hair loss was seldom reported, led us to question this concept.ObjectivesTo evaluate the effect of subcutaneous testosterone therapy on scalp hair growth in female patients.MethodsA total of 285 women, treated for a minimum of 1 year with subcutaneous testosterone implants for symptoms of androgen deficiency, were asked to complete a survey that included questions on scalp and facial hair. Age, body mass index (BMI) and serum testosterone levels were examined.ResultsOut of the 285 patients, 76 (27%) reported hair thinning prior to treatment; 48 of these patients (63%) reported hair regrowth on testosterone therapy (responders). Nonresponders (i.e. no reported hair regrowth on therapy) had significantly higher BMIs than responders (P = 0·05). Baseline serum testosterone levels were significantly lower in women reporting hair loss prior to therapy than in those who did not (P = 0·0001). There was no significant difference in serum testosterone levels, measured 4 weeks after testosterone implantation, between responders and nonresponders. No patient in this cohort reported scalp hair loss on testosterone therapy. A total of 262 women (92%) reported some increase in facial hair growth.ConclusionsSubcutaneous testosterone therapy was found to have a beneficial effect on scalp hair growth in female patients treated for symptoms of androgen deficiency. We propose this is due to an anabolic effect of testosterone on hair growth. The fact that no subject complained of hair loss as a result of treatment casts doubt on the presumed role of testosterone in driving female scalp hair loss. These results need to be confirmed by formal measurements of hair growth.

Effect of the dual 5α‐reductase inhibitor, dutasteride, on serum testosterone and body mass index in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia

To investigate the effects of dutasteride on serum testosterone level and body mass index (BMI) in men who received medical therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In all, 120 patients with BPH were randomized to three treatment groups: tamsulosin 0.2 mg/day (alpha-blocker group), dutasteride 0.5 mg/day (dutasteride group), or tamsulosin 0.2 mg plus dutasteride 0.5 mg/day (combination group) for 1 year. For all patients the BMI and serum testosterone levels were checked at baseline and after 1 year of treatment. Among the evaluable 107 patients, the dutasteride (33) and combination groups (37) had significantly greater increases in serum testosterone level (16.3% and 15%, respectively) than the alpha-blocker group (37; 0.3%) after 1 year of treatment (both P < 0.001). When analysed by baseline serum testosterone tertile, the increases in serum testosterone level among the dutasteride and combination group were greatest in the lowest tertile. For BMI, the dutasteride and combination group had mean decreases of 0.17 and 0.20 kg/m(2), respectively, at 1 year, whereas the alpha-blocker group had a mean increase of 0.04 kg/m(2). The decreases in BMI for the dutasteride and combination group were statistically significant only in the lowest tertile (P = 0.048 and 0.010, respectively). Our results show that dutasteride treatment in men with BPH led to a significant increase in serum testosterone level and a significant decrease in BMI among those with relatively lower baseline serum testosterone levels.

Comparison of a new long-acting testosterone undecanoate formulation vs testosterone enanthate for intramuscular androgen therapy in male hypogonadism

To assess the efficacy and safety of a novel long-acting im testosterone undecanoate (TU) formulation in comparison with testosterone enanthate (TE). An open-label, randomized, prospective clinical trial in 40 hypogonadal men (baseline serum testosterone levels <5 nmol/l), randomly assigned to 250 mg TE/3 weeks (no.=20) or 1000 mg TU im every 6 to 9 weeks for 30 weeks (no.=20). Subsequently, 32/40 men continued the study for another 114 weeks, now receiving TU 1000 mg/12 weeks. TU and TE produced no statistically significant improvements in grip strength over the first 30 weeks, which only occurred after approximately 90 weeks when all subjects received TU. There were no changes in body mass index with TU and TE, neither in the follow-up period when all patients received TU. But ratios of waist to hip circumferences declined in the longer term. Total serum cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides declined over the first 30 weeks, while plasma HDL also declined. Plasma LDL decreased further under long-term TU therapy, while HDL then increased. Hemoglobin and hematocrit values significantly increased over the first 30 weeks in both treatment groups and then no further increase was observed. Levels did not exceed the upper limit of normal. In both treatment groups, serum prostate specific antigen levels rose slightly after 30 weeks, with no further increase over the first 12 months, remaining stable within the normal range. Plasma T before the following TU injection was above the lower limit of reference values. Four injections per year are adequate. Administration of TU every 12 weeks is at least as safe and efficacious for treatment of hypogonadal men as TE, with a substantially lower frequency of administration. Follow-up over 114 weeks, when all subjects received TU, showed an excellent profile of efficacy and safety.

OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA IS ASSOCIATED WITH BASELINE TESTOSTERONE LEVELS IN BORDERLINE HYPOGONADAL AGING MEN.

Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) becomes more prevalent as men aging. In fact, age is the number one predictor for obstructive sleep apnea. At the same time, serum testosterone level decreases about 50% from age 30 to 80. Some previous studies have demonstrated a link between obstructive sleep apnea and testosterone supplement therapy. However, it has not been determined whether at baseline, obstructive sleep apnea is associated with serum testosterone level. Methods Twenty-eight older men between the ages of 60 to 80 with borderline hypogonadism were enrolled in this study. Apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), baseline total serum testosterone level, age, BMI, neck size, and LDL level were evaluated. Study subjects were divided into those with obstructive sleep apnea (AHI ≥ 10) and a non-sleep apnea group (AHI Results At baseline, baseline serum testosterone levels (288 ± 48ng/dL) were significantly different (p = .001) between the obstructive sleep apnea group (n = 14) and the non-sleep apnea group (n = 14). Also, the AHI (17 ± 3) was inversely correlated with serum testosterone (r2= .20, p = .02). No other risk factors, including age (67 ± 6), BMI (29 ± 4 kg/m2), neck size (16 ± 1 inches), and LDL levels (103 ± 26 mg/dL), were significantly different between the two groups (p = ns). Conclusions In borderline hypogonadal aging men, baseline serum testosterone levels can be a predictor for the risk of obstructive sleep apnea.

Poorly controlled type I diabetes mellitus in young men selectively suppresses luteinizing hormone secretory burst mass.

Alterations in the reproductive axis function are present to a variable extent in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Results from studies in IDDM men have yielded discrepant findings, which may reflect nonuniform patient selection criteria, age, diabetic status, duration of the disease and differences in sampling protocols. To more clearly define the impact of early diabetic alterations in the male reproductive axis, we applied a combined strategy of patient selection restricted to young men with relatively short duration of IDDM, dual control groups, multiparameter deconvolution analysis to assess LH secretory activity, and assessment of time-dependent changes in human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-stimulated serum testosterone concentrations. Three groups of subjects were studied: 11 young men with poorly controlled IDDM, 9 well controlled diabetics, and 9 healthy men. All volunteers underwent blood sampling at 10-min intervals before and after 2 consecutive iv pulses of 10 micro g GnRH. On a separate day, 40 IU/kg hCG were given im, and blood samples were collected before hCG administration, every 60 min thereafter for 6 h, and then 24, 48, and 72 h after the injection. Mean serum LH concentrations across the basal 6-h sampling period were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in men with poorly controlled IDDM (11 +/- 1.6 IU/liter) compared with those in well controlled diabetics (19 +/- 1.8 IU/liter) and healthy controls (19 +/- 1.5 IU/liter). Multiple parameter deconvolution analysis revealed a 50% reduction in the mass of LH secreted per burst and the pulsatile LH secretion rate in poorly controlled IDDM (mass of LH secreted/burst, 7 +/- 1.1 vs. 12 +/- 2.1 and 13 +/- 1.5 IU/liter; LH secretion rate, 47 +/- 6.3 vs. 78 +/- 10 and 87 +/- 11 IU/liter.6 h; poorly controlled vs. well controlled IDDM and healthy controls, respectively; P < 0.05 for both parameters). Uncontrolled IDDM patients had significantly (P < 0.05) lower integrated serum LH concentrations after the first and second GnRH pulses (first GnRH pulse, 4460 +/- 770 vs. 7250 +/- 1200 and 5120 +/- 910 IU/liter; second pulse, 4700 +/- 615 vs. 7640 +/- 881 and 7100 +/- 1230 IU/liter; poorly controlled vs. well controlled IDDM and healthy men, respectively) and markedly attenuated LH secretory burst mass after the second GnRH stimulus (49 +/- 8.8 vs. 90 +/- 13 and 83 +/- 19 IU/liter; poorly controlled vs. well controlled IDDM and healthy controls, respectively). The biological to immunological ratio of LH released in baseline conditions was higher in uncontrolled IDDM patients (0.81 +/- 0.10) than in controlled IDDM (0.37 +/- 0.08) and healthy controls (0.48 +/- 0.06; P < 0.01), whereas LH released in response to exogenous GnRH exhibited comparable ratios among the three study cohorts. Baseline serum testosterone levels as well as absolute and incremental responses to exogenous hCG did not differ by degree of metabolic control. Collectively, these results indicate that the function of the hypothalamic-gonadotrope axis is compromised in young men with poorly controlled IDDM, such that the amplitude of spontaneous pulsatile and exogenous GnRH-stimulated LH secretion is attenuated. This central hypogonadotropism is paradoxically associated with the presence in the circulation of gonadotropin molecules with enriched biological activity, which is evidently sufficient to temporarily maintain normal total testosterone concentrations in the earlier stages of IDDM.

Testosterone therapy for clinical symptoms of hypogonadism in eugonadal men with AIDS.

We conducted a small exploratory study to assess whether testosterone therapy is an effective treatment for clinical symptoms characteristic of hypogonadism in eugonadal men with AIDS. Treatment consisted of 12 weeks of bi-weekly intramuscular injections of testosterone cypionate. Twenty-three men enrolled in the study; mean age was 37 and 44% were ethnic minorities. All had an AIDS diagnosis and the mean CD4 cell count was 150 cells/mm3. All baseline serum testosterone levels were within the laboratory reference range and above 500 ng/dl. Diminished libido was an inclusion criterion, plus each patient had at least one additional symptom (low mood, low energy, loss of appetite and/or weight). Nineteen men completed the trial and a majority of patients responded with regard to libido (89%), mood (67%), energy (71%), and appetite (67%) as rated by the Clinical Global Impressions Scale. With the exception of appetite, self and clinician rated measures showed significant improvement in all symptom domains. Among the 14 study completers with significant weight loss, the average weight gain was 2.3 kg, with a 1.8 kg increase in body cell mass and no change in body fat. These results suggest that testosterone is as effective in treating these symptoms in eugonadal men with AIDS as we have found in our research with hypogonadal HIV+men.

Testosterone therapy for clinical symptoms of hypogonadism in eugonadal men with AIDS

Summary: We conducted a small exploratory study to assess whether testosterone therapy is an effective treatment for clinical symptoms characteristic of hypogonadism in eugonadal men with AIDS. Treatment consisted of 12 weeks of bi-weekly intramuscular injections of testosterone cypionate. Twenty-three men enrolled in the study; mean age was 37 and 44% were ethnic minorities. All had an AIDS diagnosis and the mean CD4 cell count was 150 cells/mm 3. All baseline serum testosterone levels were within the laboratory reference range and above 500 ng/dl. Diminished libido was an inclusion criterion, plus each patient had at least one additional symptom (low mood, low energy, loss of appetite and/or weight). Nineteen men completed the trial and a majority of patients responded with regard to libido (89%), mood (67%), energy (71%), and appetite (67%) as rated by the Clinical Global Impressions Scale. With the exception of appetite, self and clinician rated measures showed significant improvement in all symptom domains. Among the 14 study completers with significant weight loss, the average weight gain was 2.3 kg, with a 1.8 kg increase in body cell mass and no change in body fat. These results suggest that testosterone is as effective in treating these symptoms in eugonadal men with AIDS as we have found in our research with hypogonadal HIV+men.