Hormonal
In elderly men, bioavailable testosterone (specifically non-SHBG-bound T) is positively associated with muscle strength and bone mineral density, while being inversely associated with fat mass.
For elderly men experiencing muscle loss or bone density decline, standard total testosterone tests may be misleading due to age-related increases in SHBG. Bioavailable or free testosterone levels are better indicators of muscle and bone health. While this study is observational, it suggests that maintaining higher bioavailable testosterone is associated with better physical function.
T (total and non-SHBG-T) was positively related with muscle strength and total body BMD... An inverse association existed between T and fat mass... non-SHBG-T and calc-FT were more strongly related to muscle strength, BMD, and fat mass than TT
Why this rating
Cross-sectional observational study; strong statistical associations but explicitly states it cannot differentiate cause and effect.
Source
Measures of Bioavailable Serum Testosterone and Estradiol and Their Relationships with Muscle Strength, Bone Density, and Body Composition in Elderly Men*
Annewieke W. van den Beld et al. · The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · 2000
DOI 10.1210/jcem.85.9.6825
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