The association between hypogonadism symptoms and the levels of serum hormones are still in debate. To investigate the relationship between hypogonadism symptoms and serum hormones in middle-aged and elderly Chinese men, this community-based cross-sectional study was conducted based on a total of 965 ageing men. The ageing males' symptom (AMS) scale, International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaires and related variables were assessed. Blood tests for total testosterone (TT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and luteinising hormone (LH) were performed. Serum level of free testosterone (FT) and bioavailable testosterone (Bio-T) was calculated. The mean age was 56.34 ± 8.85 years. Total AMS score was significantly associated with all five serum hormones (LH: p < 0.001; SHBG: p < 0.001; TT: p =.043; FT: p = 0.007; Bio-T: p < 0.001). We identified sexual and somatic symptoms were obviously related to five serum hormones, while psychological symptoms seemed to have no association with serum hormones. After adjusting for age and BMI, multiple linear regression analysis indicated that LH had positive correlations with total AMS score, somatic and sexual symptom score (p < 0.05). In conclusion, LH and SHBG had the strongest correlation hypogonadism and might be used as early predictors for symptomatic hypogonadism in the near future.
Keywords: ageing; free testosterone; hypogonadism; luteinising hormone; sex hormone-binding globulin.
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