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Cited by 258Hormonal and reproductive studiesSperm and Testicular FunctionHypothalamic control of reproductive hormones

The associations of age, lifestyle factors and chronic disease with testosterone in men: The Tromso Study

Svartberg, J, Midtby, M, Bonaa, KH, Sundsfjord, J, Joakimsen, RM, Jorde, R·2003·European Journal of Endocrinology
DOI 10.1530/eje.0.1490145
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To study whether lifestyle factors and/or chronic disease are associated with the age-related decline of total and free testosterone in men, or if these factors might be associated with the variation of total and free testosterone but not with their age-related decline. DESIGN: A population-based, cross-sectional study was used. METHODS: Total testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels were analyzed and free testosterone levels were calculated in 1563 men participating in the Tromso study in 1994/1995. Anthropometric characteristics were also measured and two standardized questionnaires completed, including lifestyle factors and medical history. The data were analyzed with multiple linear regression analysis of covariance, and logistic regression. RESULTS: Total and free testosterone were inversely associated (P=0.001 and P<0.001), while SHBG was positively associated (P<0.001) with age. Body mass index (BMI) was inversely associated with total (P<0.001) and free (P=0.016) testosterone and SHBG (P<0.001). Both total and free testosterone were positively associated with tobacco consumption (P<0.001 and P=0.004) and total testosterone was positively associated with coffee consumption (P<0.001). SHBG was positively associated with smoking (P=0.004) and coffee consumption (P<0.001). Men who reported having had a stroke or having a cancer diagnosis had lower levels of total testosterone (P<0.001 and P<0.01) and free testosterone (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: BMI and smoking are independent contributors to the variation of total and free testosterone and SHBG levels, and coffee consumption to the variation of total testosterone and SHBG. Thus, lifestyle factors can have a direct effect on circulating levels of free endogenous sex hormones and to total levels due to the effect on SHBG levels.

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  • Adjustment for sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in our study did not change the association between testosterone levels and smoking.

    “Further, in agreement with previous studies, 14,31 adjustment for SHBG in our study did not change the association between testosterone levels and smoking.”

    From Cigarette smoking has a positive and independent effect on testosterone levels (2013) · cites this paper as [14]

  • Age, cigarette smoking, BMI, alcohol consumption and physical activity have been reported to be probably or possibly associated with hormone levels.

    “Probable and possible associations of several factors, including age, cigarette smoking, body mass index (BMI), alcohol consumption and physical activity with hormone levels have been reported. 11-17”

    From Cigarette smoking has a positive and independent effect on testosterone levels (2013) · cites this paper as [14]

  • Age, BMI, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, alcohol consumption and estradiol levels have all been reported to be associated with alteration in hormone levels.

    “Age, 11,14-17 body mass index (BMI), 12 fasting blood glucose, 1,35 triglycerides, 36 alcohol consumption 13,14 and estradiol levels, 13 which have all been reported to be associated with alteration in hormone levels, were chosen as potential confounding factors in this study.”

    From Cigarette smoking has a positive and independent effect on testosterone levels (2013) · cites this paper as [14]

  • The reported effects of smoking on testosterone levels in men are controversial, with some evidence suggesting no association and others reporting higher or lower total testosterone levels among smokers compared to nonsmokers.

    “However, the reported effects of smoking on testosterone levels in men are controversial, with some evidence even suggesting no association 15,19-24 and others reporting higher 13,14,25-32 or lower 33,34 levels of TT among smokers compared to nonsmokers.”

    From Cigarette smoking has a positive and independent effect on testosterone levels (2013) · cites this paper as [14]

  • The results are supported by two large cross-sectional studies, our own previous smaller study and the study by Field et al. (1994).

    “The results are supported by two large cross-sectional studies, our own previous smaller study (Svartberg et al., 2003) and the study by Field et al. (1994).”

    From Endogenous testosterone levels and smoking in men. The fifth Tromsø study (2007) · cites this paper as Svartberg et al., 2003

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Authors
Svartberg, J., Midtby, M., Bonaa, K., Sundsfjord, J., Joakimsen, R., & Jorde, R.
Affiliations
  • University Hospital of North Norway (NO)
  • UiT The Arctic University of Norway (NO)
Corresponding author
Svartberg, J
ORCID
Jorde, R
Venue
European Journal of Endocrinology
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2003-08-01
Volume
149
Issue
2
Pages
145-152
ISSN
  • 0804-4643 (ISSN-L)
  • 1479-683X
DOI
10.1530/eje.0.1490145
OpenAlex
W2107163673
Cited by
257
References
38
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 14 · 2012: 17
FWCI
7.33
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • European Journal of Endocrinology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Hormonal and reproductive studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Sperm and Testicular Function
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Hypothalamic control of reproductive hormones
Keywords
testosterone, free testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, age-related decline, lifestyle factors, body mass index, smoking, tobacco use, coffee consumption, chronic disease, stroke, cancer, men, Tromsø Study
MeSH terms
Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Algorithms, Body Height, Body Weight, Chronic Disease, Coffee, Female, Humans, Life Style, Male, Middle Aged, Norway, Population, Surveys and Questionnaires, Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin, Smoking, Testosterone, Exercise, Body Mass Index, Logistic Models

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