PURPOSE: Based on studies showing the circadian rhythmicity of testosterone the optimal time of day to draw total testosterone in men has classically been reported as between 8 and 11 a.m.
However, further studies demonstrated that the testosterone circadian rhythmicity becomes blunted with age.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 2,569 men who presented with erectile dysfunction for total testosterone and draw times. We compared the men by age group, including less than 40 years and 5-year groupings after age 40 years. Total testosterone was analyzed for variability during the most common draw time hours (7 a.m. to 2 p.m.).
RESULTS: Mean total testosterone at 7 to 9 a.m. and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. clinically and statistically differed only in men younger than 40 vs 40 to 44 years old (mean difference 207 ng/dl, 95% CI 98-315, p = 0.0004 vs 149 ng/dl, 95% CI 36-262, p = 0.01). No other group showed a clinically and statistically significant difference between those periods.
CONCLUSIONS: Total testosterone in men with erectile dysfunction who are younger than 45 years should be drawn as close to 7 a.m. as possible because a statistically and clinically relevant decrease in testosterone will occur during the course of the day. Men older than 45 years with erectile dysfunction can have total testosterone drawn at any time before 2 p.m. without misleading results.
Written by:
Welliver RC Jr, Wiser HJ, Brannigan RE3, Feia K4, Monga M5, Köhler TS. Are you the author?
Division of Urology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois; Springfield Clinic, Springfield, Illinois; Department of Urology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois; Department of Urology, University of Minnesota School of Medicine and Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio.
Reference: J Urol. 2014 Feb 8. pii: S0022-5347(14)00115-3.
doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2014.01.085
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 24518771
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