Total testosterone levels are correlated to metabolic syndrome components

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.

To analyze the strength and independence of associations between TT and MetS components in non-diabetic men.

In this cross-sectional study, 143 non-diabetic men older than 40 were analyzed.

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.

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.

Low TT levels were associated with MetS diagnosis. Abdominal obesity was the MetS component independently correlated to low TT levels.