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Association of hypogonadism with vitamin D status: the European Male Ageing Study.
- Source :
- European Journal of Endocrinology; Jan2012, Vol. 166 Issue 1, p77-85, 9p
- Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- Objective: Interrelationships between hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular (HPT) axis, hypogonadism, vitamin D and seasonality remain poorly defined. We investigated whether HPT axis hormones and hypogonadism are associated with serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in men. Design and methods: Cross-sectional survey of 3369 community-dwelling men aged 40-79 years in eight European centres. Testosterone (T), oestradiol (E<subscript>2</subscript>) and dihydrotestosterone were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; LH, FSH, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), 25(OH)D and parathyroid hormone by immunoassay. Free T was calculated from total T, SHBG and albumin. Gonadal status was categorised as eugonadal (normal T/LH), secondary (low T, low/normal LH), primary (low T, elevated LH) and compensated (normal T, elevated LH) hypogonadism. Associations of HPT axis hormones with 25(OH)D were examined using linear regression and hypogonadism with vitamin D using multinomial logistic regression. Results: In univariate analyses, free T levels were lower (P=0.02) and E<subscript>2</subscript> and LH levels were higher (P<0.05) in men with vitamin D deficiency <25(OH)D !50 nmol/l). 25(OH)D was positively associated with total and free T and negatively with E<subscript>2</subscript> and LH in age- and centre-adjusted linear regressions. After adjusting for health and lifestyle factors, no significant associations were observed between 25(OH)D and individual hormones of the HPT axis. However, vitamin D deficiency was significantly associated with compensated (relative risk ratio (RRR)=1.52, P=0.03) and secondary hypogonadism (RRR=1.16, P=0.05). Seasonal variation was only observed for 25(OH)D (P<0.001). Conclusions: Secondary and compensated hypogonadism were associated with vitamin D deficiency and the clinical significance of this relationship warrants further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 08044643
- Volume :
- 166
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- European Journal of Endocrinology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 73521670
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1530/EJE-11-0743