Prevalence of Symptomatic Androgen Deficiency in Men

Context: Despite recognition that androgen deficiency in men should be defined according to biochemical and clinical criteria, most prevalence estimates are based on low testosterone levels alone. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the association between symptoms of androgen deficiency and low total and calculated free testosterone levels and estimate the prevalence of symptomatic androgen deficiency in men. Design: This study was a population-based, observational survey. Participants: A total of 1475 Black, Hispanic, and white men, between the ages of 30–79 yr, with complete data on testosterone, SHBG, and symptoms of androgen deficiency, and who are not taking medications that impact sex steroid levels were randomly selected from the Boston Area Community Health Survey. Outcome: Outcomes were measured as symptomatic androgen deficiency, defined as low total (