Total but not bioavailable testosterone is a predictor of central adiposity in postmenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE
In pre and postmenopausal women low levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) have been shown to be associated with a large waist-hip ratio (WHR), a measure of visceral adiposity. Previous studies of WHR and testosterone, however, have been inconclusive.


METHODS
We examined the prospective association between endogenous total and bioavailable testosterone and SHBG levels at baseline with WHR measured 12-15 years later in a community-based cohort of older women.


METHODS
Rancho Bernardo, California.


METHODS
334 postmenopausal women.


METHODS
Endogenous total and bioavailable testosterone and SHBG levels and WHR.


RESULTS
Only age-adjusted SHBG levels and the testosterone/SHBG ratio were associated with BMI. Age-adjusted SHBG levels and total testosterone decreased with increasing WHR. Neither measured nor estimated (testosterone/SHBG ratio) bioavailable testosterone was associated with WHR before or after adjustment for age, BMI, and cigarette smoking.


CONCLUSIONS
These prospective data confirm the reported cross-sectional association between SHBG and WHR, but show no association with measured bioavailable testosterone or the testosterone/SHBG ratio. These findings do not support the premise that androgens cause visceral adiposity in postmenopausal women.
Goodman-Gruen
D
D
Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, C 92093-0628, USA.
Barrett-Connor
E
E
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000502:physiology*; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D001682:Biological Availability; D001824:Body Constitution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*
D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone