Plasma sex hormones, prolactin, cortisol, lipids and lipoproteins in elderly Thai men and women.

ABSTRACT

Measurements of plasma testosterone or estradiol, prolactin, cortisol, total cholesterol, HDLC, LDLC and triglycerides were carried out for healthy elderly Thai men and women. Estradiol and testosterone levels were higher while the estradiol to testosterone ratio was lower in elderly men compared with elderly women. No significant difference in plasma prolactin and cortisol was found between men and women of advanced age. A significant decrease in the estradiol level in older women was detected, but testosterone in older men did not alter. Elderly women had higher plasma total cholesterol and HDLC than elderely men, but there were no differences in LDLC, LDLC/HDLC ratio and triglycerides between the sexes. No significant age-related alteration of lipids and lipoproteins was observed in older men and women. The relationship between studied hormones levels and lipids or lipoproteins was not shown. Gender was found to be only factor affecting plasma , testosterone and E/T ratio in healthy aging Thais.