Sleep Quantity Affects Morning Testosterone Levels In Older Men

Main Category: Sleep / Sleep Disorders / Insomnia
Also Included In: Men's health;  Endocrinology;  Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 02 Apr 2007 - 11:00 PDT

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The testosterone levels of healthy men decline as they get older. As sleep quality and quantity typically decrease with age, objectively measured differences in the amount of sleep a healthy older man gets can affect his level of testosterone in the morning, according to a study published in the April 1st issue of the journal SLEEP.

The study, conducted by Plamen Penev, MD, PhD, of the University of Chicago, focused on 12 healthy men between the ages of 64 and 74. Three morning blood samples were pooled for the measurement of total and free testosterone. In addition to overnight laboratory polysomnography, wrist activity monitoring for six-to-nine days were used to determine the amount of nighttime sleep of the participants in everyday life settings.

The main outcome levels were total sleep time and morning testosterone levels. Analyses revealed that the amount of nighttime sleep measured by polysomnography was an independent predictor of the subjects' morning total and free testosterone levels.

"The results of the study raise the possibility that older men who obtain less actual sleep during the night have lower blood testosterone levels in the morning," said Penev. "Although the findings suggest that how long a person sleeps may be an indicator of age-related changes in important hormone signals in the body, future studies are needed to determine the importance of these relationships for the health of older adults."

Recent studies associate lack of sleep with serious health problems such as an increased risk of depression, obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Experts recommend that adults get between seven and eight hours of sleep each night to maintain good health and optimum performance.

Those who think they might have a sleep disorder are urged to discuss their problem with their primary care physician, who will issue a referral to a sleep specialist.

SLEEP is the official journal of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC, a joint venture of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and the Sleep Research Society. SleepEducation.com, a Web site maintained by the AASM, provides information about the various sleep disorders that exist, the forms of treatment available, recent news on the topic of sleep, sleep studies that have been conducted and a listing of sleep facilities.

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