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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 1992; 100(6): 129-132
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1211192
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© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Influence of Testosterone Substitution on Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Klinefelter's Syndrome

A. Kübler, G. Schulz, U. Cordes, J. Beyer, U. Krause*
  • Dept. of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz/Germany
*) This work is dedicated to U. Krause who died during the course of the work.
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Publication History

1992

Publication Date:
16 July 2009 (online)

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Summary

The aim of this study was to clarify the extent of bone mineral deficiency in patients with Klinefelter's syndrome on the premise that testosterone substitution could prevent this deficiency. Bone mineral density was measured by single-photon absorptiometry in 42 patients with Klinefelter's syndrome, (21 patients wihout therapy, 10 with testosterone substitution before the age of 20 and 11 patients with testosterone substitution beginning after the age of 20). We found significantly lower bone mineral density in patients without therapy and in patients when the therapy began later compared to normal individuals. Patients with early therapy showed a high proportion of normal values of bone mineral density. We found a positive correlation between bone mineral density and plasma testosterone and a negative correlation between plasma testosterone and age for patients without therapy.

These findings suggest that low testosterone levels before or during puberty cause inadequate bone development and low bone mineral density in Klinefelter's syndrome. Only early testosterone substitution may prevent bone mineral deficiency. Later substitution no longer affects bone mineral density.

Key words

Bone mineral density - Klinefelter's syndrome - Testosterone substitution

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