Association of Age, Race, and Body Mass Index with Sex Steroid Hormone Marker Profiles among Men, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III)

Introduction: Different levels of testosterone (T), 17-â estradiol (E), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and androstanediol glucuronide (3-á diol G) have been proposed to explain racial disparities in rates of several chronic diseases. Investigating these markers individually has resulted in mixed findings across studies stratified by race. Because these markers are metabolically linked, assessing a suite of markers may be superior in providing information on racial disparities. Therefore, we created serum profiles combining these markers and investigated by age, race/ethnicity, and body mass index (BMI). Methods: We analyzed demographic, laboratory, hormone and dietary data for 1,538 men, >17 years, from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). To identify hormone marker profiles, we used cluster analysis with Blom-transformed T, E, SHBG, and 3-á diol G levels. We applied multinomial logistic regression models to examine whether age, race, and BMI groups were associated differently with the profiles. Results: We identified four sex hormone marker cluster profiles. Mexican American men >50 years were most likely to be associated with the lowest T, E, and 3-á diol G levels compared to other profiles (p<0.05). Non-Hispanic Black, overweight (25-29.9 kg/m2), and obese (>30 kg/m2) men were most likely to be in the cluster with the lowest SHBG (p<0.05). Conclusion: The associations of hormone profile markers by race/ethnicity are novel, while findings by age and BMI groups are largely consistent with single hormone studies. Future studies should examine hormone marker profiles in relation to chronic disease risk rather than single markers.