Serum testosterone and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of serum testosterone levels on bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. Postmenopausal women admitted to our tertiary center constituted the study group. Serum calcium, phosphorus, albumin, PTH, TSH, 25-OH vitamin D and total testosterone concentrations were measured. BMD values of the participants were categorized into three groups: normal (n=22), osteopeniac (n=21), and osteoporotic (n=21). Participants were further divided into three groups according to serum testosterone levels: low testosterone group (n=10), normal testosterone group (n=42), and high testosterone group (n=12). No significant difference was found as for serum testosterone, TSH, calcium, phosphorus, albumin, PTH, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels among three groups. No significant difference was found as for lumbar spine, total femur, femoral neck, trochanteric, intertrochanteric, and Ward's triangle BMD values among three groups categorized according to testosterone levels. Correlation analysis of variables revealed that no correlation was present between serum testosterone level and patients’ age, body-mass index, or any regional BMD values. Given the findings in our study, which failed to demonstrate a statistically significant difference between testosterone and BMD, adjustment of other risk factors for osteoporosis might have a more distinctive effect in this setting.