Low testosterone levels are associated with carotid atherosclerosis in men

Objective: To study the relationship between endogenous sex hormone levels and intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery measured by ultrasonography. Design: Population-based cross-sectional study. Methods: Sex hormone levels measured by immunoassay, anthropometric measurements and IMT was studied in 1482 men aged 25-84 years participating in the 1994-1995 Tromsø study. The data were analysed with partial correlation, multiple linear regression and logistic regression analysis. Results: Linear regression models showed that total testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin levels, but not calculated free testosterone, serum oestradiol or dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate levels were inversely associated with the age-adjusted IMT (P=0.008 and P