Serum Total Testosterone Concentrations in the US Household Population from the NHANES 2011–2012 Study Population

Abstract

Abstract BACKGROUND Limited information is available about testosterone concentrations representative of the general US population, especially children, women, and non-Hispanic Asians. METHODS We obtained nationally representative data for total testosterone (totalT), measured with standardized LC-MS/MS, for the US population age 6 years and older from the 2011–2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). We analyzed 6746 serum samples and calculated the geometric means, distribution percentiles, and covariate-adjusted geometric means by age, sex, and race/ethnicity. RESULTS The 10th–90th percentiles of totalT values in adults (≥20 years) was 150–698 ng/dL (5.20–24.2 nmol/L) in men, 7.1–49.8 ng/dL (0.25–1.73 nmol/L) in women, and 1.0–9.5 ng/dL (0.04–0.33 nmol/L) in children (6–10 years old). Differences among race/ethnic groups existed in children and men: covariate-adjusted totalT values in non-Hispanic Asians were highest among children (58% compared to non-Hispanic black children) and lowest among men (12% compared to Mexican-American men). Covariate-adjusted totalT values in men were higher at age 55–60 years compared to ages 35 and 80 years, a pattern different from that observed in previous NHANES cycles. CONCLUSIONS TotalT patterns were different among age groups in men compared with previous NHANES cycles. Covariate-adjusted totalT values peaked at age 55–60 years in men, which appeared to be consistent with the increased use of exogenous testosterone. Differences among race/ethnic groups existed and appeared more pronounced in children than adults.