Levels of Testosterone Linked to Broken Bones in Older Men

(January 14, 2008 - Insidermedicine) Having low blood levels of the male hormone testosterone could be a risk factor for fractures in men over 60, according to research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Here are some facts about osteoporosis and fracture risk in men:

• Osteoporosis is a condition that develops with aging and the use of certain drugs in which bone mass is lost, leading to more fragile bones and an increased risk of fractures.

• While most commonly associated with women, as many as one-third of fractures related to osteoporosis occur in men.

• Men who have had a previous osteoporosis-related fracture have three to four times the risk of having another fracture as women of the same age with a fracture.

Researchers out of the University of Sydney assessed the bone mineral density (BMD) and lifestyle factors of over 600 men whose average age was nearly 73 years. They observed these men for up to 16 years, keeping track of their blood levels of testosterone and any bone fractures that occurred.

Low blood levels of testosterone were found to be linked with an increased risk for fracture in these men. After accounting for other factors known to affect the risk of fracture, including age, weight, BMD, fracture history, smoking status, and calcium intake, low testosterone remained an important risk factor.

Based on these findings, the authors conclude that low testosterone levels are a risk factor for fracture in men over 60. They suggest that physicians could use measures of blood levels of testosterone to help determine fracture risk in their male patients over 60.

Source: http://www.insidermedicine.ca/archives/Levels_of_Testosterone_Linked_to_Broken_Bones_in_Older_Men_2070.aspx

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