Biochemical reference intervals for sex hormones with a new AutoDelfia method in aged men.
BACKGROUND
Our aim was to establish sex hormone reference intervals measured with a new AutoDelfia immunoassay method for aged men free of medication and/or conditions known to influence sex hormone levels.


METHODS
The reference population consisted of 466 individuals between 64 and 97 years (mean 72 years) and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 26.9 kg/m(2).


CONCLUSIONS
Because age correlated significantly with most sex hormones studied, we calculated reference intervals for three age groups (64-69, 70-74 and > or =75 years). In clinical practice, single ranges can be used for men aged 64 years or over for testosterone, estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) with the AutoDelfia method. For free testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH), separate reference intervals should be used for men aged 64-74 years and those aged 75 years or over. For sex hormone-binding globulin, two separate reference intervals by age (64-69 and > or =70 years) are also needed for aged men. LH and FSH reference ranges should be judged with caution, because they may be too high due to cases of subclinical hypogonadism included in the reference population.
Eskelinen
Seija
S
Department of Family Medicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland and Pori Health Center, Pori, Finland. seija.eskelinen@utu.fi
Vahlberg
Tero
T
Isoaho
Raimo
R
Kivelä
Sirkka-Liisa
SL
Irjala
Kerttu
K
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood / Q000592:standards; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000592:standards; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012015:Reference Standards; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000032:analysis / Q000592:standards; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000592:standards
D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone