INTERPRETATION We found weak correlation between signs , symptoms and testosterone levels , uncertainty about what threshold testosterone levels should be considered low for aging men and wide variation in estimated prevalence of the condition .
It is therefore difficult to extrapolate the method of diagnosing pathologic hypogonadism in younger men to clinical decisions regarding age-related testosterone decline in aging men
BACKGROUND Physicians diagnose and treat suspected hypogonadism in older men by extrapolating from the defined clinical entity of hypogonadism found in younger men .
We conducted a systematic review to estimate the accuracy of clinical symptoms and signs for predicting low testosterone among aging men .
Relationship between testosterone serum levels and lifestyle in aging men
Objective . The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between serum levels of testosterone and free testosterone to lifestyle in aging males . Methods . Men between 45 and 85 years were assessed regarding body mass index ( BMI ) , nicotine and alcohol consumption , stress level , physical and social activity , and sleeping quality by a self-administered question naire . In parallel , serum levels of testosterone ( T ) , free testosterone ( fT ) , LH , FSH , DHEA-S , E2 and SHBG were obtained . Results . In total , 375 men with a mean age of 59.9 years ( 9.2 ± SD ) entered this study ; 25.4 % and 27.4 % had hypogonadal testosterone or free testosterone serum levels ,  respectively . Nicotine  consumption ( smokers had higher levels of T and fT ; p < 0.01 ) , BMI ( negative correlation to T ; p < 0.01 ) and age ( negative correlation to fT ; p < 0.001 ) correlated with serum levels of testosterone or free testosterone . Physical and social activity , nicotine and alcohol consumption , stress level and sleep quality did not show a significant association with serum and rogen levels . Conclusion . This prospect i ve study of 375 men aged 45 to 85 years confirms the correlation between age , BMI and smoking with serum levels of testosterone and free testosterone , whereas the investigated variety of lifestyle factors did not show a significant association to serum and rogen levels
INTERPRETATION We found weak correlation between signs , symptoms and testosterone levels , uncertainty about what threshold testosterone levels should be considered low for aging men and wide variation in estimated prevalence of the condition .
It is therefore difficult to extrapolate the method of diagnosing pathologic hypogonadism in younger men to clinical decisions regarding age-related testosterone decline in aging men
BACKGROUND Physicians diagnose and treat suspected hypogonadism in older men by extrapolating from the defined clinical entity of hypogonadism found in younger men .
We conducted a systematic review to estimate the accuracy of clinical symptoms and signs for predicting low testosterone among aging men .