Reduction of serum testosterone levels during chronic glucocorticoid therapy.
The effect of chronic glucocorticoid therapy on serum testosterone levels was studied in men aged 67 +/- 4 (SD) years with chronic pulmonary disease. The serum testosterone level was reduced in 14 of 16 patients to a mean value of 211 +/- 93 ng/dL, compared with 449 +/- 111 ng/dL in 11 age- and disease-matched control patients (p less than 0.001). The corticosteroid dosage and the serum testosterone level were inversely related (r = -0.78). Testosterone binding to serum proteins was not significantly affected. Basal gonadotrophin levels were not elevated while their secretory responses to exogenous gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) were intact. We conclude that glucocorticoid therapy commonly reduces serum testosterone levels in older men due to alteration of hypothalamic GnRH secretion.
MacAdams
M R
MR
White
R H
RH
Chipps
B E
BE
D000368:Aged; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D011241:Prednisone; D008775:Methylprednisolone