Age-related natural change trend of important hormones in Chinese population

Objective To reclarify the natural change trend of several hormones with age in Chinese population. Methods A cross-sectional survey was performed including 5 935 healthy individuals (2 286 males and 3 649 females) in the final statistical analysis. All participants received questionnaire survey, anthropometric index and laboratory tests including sex-related hormones, insulin, thyroid hormones, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. Kruskal-Wallis test or One-way ANOVA analysis was used to compare hormone levels in different age groups. Spearman analysis was used to explore the correlation between age and hormone levels. Results (1) Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations increased with age from 40 years in both males and females, and stabilized at high levels after the age of 60 in females and 80 in males. Estradiol level in females started to decrease since 40 years old, then stabilized around 70 years. Sex hormone binding globulin level increased significantly with age in males, but decreased in postmenopausal females. (2) Fasting serum insulin gradually decreased with age in males until 60 years, but without obvious change in females. Fasting plasma glucose and HbA1C increased with age in both males and females. (3) Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) increased slowly with age in both males and females. (4) 25(OH)D increased with age in both males and females overall, especially more obvious in males. (5) During 41-60 years, FSH and LH levels in menopausal females were much higher than those in premenopausal females, while estradiol level in menopausal females was much lower. Compared with premenopausal females aged 41-50 years, estradiol level in premenopausal females was much lower in 51-60 years. Conclusion The levels of several important hormones are related with age, revealing a natural change trend as aging in Chinese population. (Chin J Endocrinol Metab, 2018, 34: 555-562) Key words: Hormones; Age; Sex hormone; Insulin; Blood glucose; Thyroid hormone