Low Testosterone Levels and Metabolic Syndrome in Aging Male

Abstract

Advances in medicine and progressive improvements in the health of the general population in developed countries have led to considerable increases in life expectancy over recent years. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) affects approximately 25% of the adult population and its prevalence is increasing all over the world. Central obesity plays an important role in emergence of MetS. Some studies have suggested that there may be link between low Total Testosterone levels and emergence of MetS. The objective of this review is to analyze the complex network of interactions between MetS and low testosterone levels in elderly men, considering etiologic, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects. Recent evidence confirms that central obesity is the independent MetS component correlated to Total Testosterone Levels. Experimental studies suggest a two way road between Low Testosterone Levels and abdominal obesity. Besides that, Testosterone Replacement Therapy should be restricted to men with biochemical and clinical features of late onset hypogonadism.

Examining the association between serum free fatty acids and blood levels of testosterone

“…Furthermore, our age‐based analysis revealed a significant inverse relationship between serum FFAs and testosterone levels across all ages. Although it is evident that lower testosterone levels are generally found in older men compared to younger men ( 40,41 ) , our finding implies the same relationship in other age groups prior to the age of 60 years. This implies that the incorporation of serum FFAs in our study may be the key contributing factor in the reduction in testosterone levels in the non‐elderly groups.…”

Therapeutic and lifestyle approaches to obesity in older persons

“…Both total and free testosterone levels fall with increasing age in men in a pattern that parallels the gradual loss lean mass and increase in adiposity also seen in aging [29]. Comorbidities including obesity are known to accelerate this age-related decline.…”

The association between non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (with or without metabolic syndrome) and extrahepatic cancer development

“…Testosterone is an important anabolic hormone in humans, although it is associated with the development of lung and prostate cancer 41,42 . MetS is known to be inversely associated with total testosterone levels, 43 while NAFLD is also known to be independently associated with low serum total testosterone 44 . In fact, individuals with NAFLD were previously shown to have significantly lower testosterone than those without, 45 and a previous study suggested that NAFLD may have a protective effect against prostate cancer 45 .…”