Serum Androgen Levels in Black, Hispanic, and White Men

• Published in: The journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism 2006-11, Vol.91 (11), p.4326-4334
• Main Authors: Litman, Heather J., Bhasin, Shalender, Link, Carol L., Araujo, Andre B., McKinlay, John B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; African Americans; Age Distribution; Aged; Androgens - blood; Biological and medical sciences; Boston - ethnology; Data Collection; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate - blood; Dihydrotestosterone - blood; Endocrinopathies; European Continental Ancestry Group; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hispanic Americans; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin - analysis; Testosterone - blood; Vertebrates: endocrinology
• ISSN: 0021-972X; 1945-7197
• DOI: 10.1210/jc.2006-0037

Context: Racial/ethnic differences in androgen levels could account for differences in prostate cancer risk, body composition, and bone loss. Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate racial/ethnic variations in testosterone, bioavailable testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), SHBG, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels. Design: The Boston Area Community Health (BACH) Survey was a multistage stratified cluster random sample, recruiting from 2002 to 2005. Setting: The study was a community-based sample of Boston. Participants: Participants included black, Hispanic, or white individuals, aged 30–79 yr, competent to sign informed consent and literate in English/Spanish. Of 2301 men recruited, 1899 provided blood samples (538 black, 651 Hispanic, 710 white). Intervention: Intervention consisted of data obtained during in-person at-home interview, conducted by a bilingual phlebotomist/interviewer. Main Outcome Measure(s): Testosterone, bioavailable testosterone, DHT, DHT to testosterone ratio, SHBG, and DHEAS were measured. Results: With or without adjustment for covariates, there were no significant differences in testosterone, bioavailable testosterone, or SHBG levels by race/ethnicity. DHEAS levels differed by race/ethnicity before covariate adjustment; after adjustment this difference was attenuated. Before adjustment, DHT and DHT to testosterone ratios did not significantly differ by racial/ethnic group. After adjustment, there was evidence of racial/ethnic differences in DHT (P = 0.047) and DHT to testosterone (P = 0.038) levels. Black men had higher DHT levels and DHT to testosterone ratios than white and Hispanic men. Conclusions: Because there are no racial/ethnic differences in testosterone levels, normative ranges need not be adjusted by race/ethnicity for androgen deficiency diagnosis for men aged 30–79 yr. Further investigation is needed to determine whether differences in DHT levels and DHT to testosterone ratio can help explain racial/ethnic variations in prostate cancer incidence, body composition, and bone mass.