Anemia and testosterone deficiency risk: insights from NHANES data analysis and a Mendelian randomization analysis

Background: Previous research has shown that testosterone deficiency (TD) increases the risk of anemia, but it is unclear whether anemia affects testosterone levels. This study investigated the influence of anemia on testosterone levels.

Methods: Utilizing data from six NHANES cycles, including demographic, testosterone levels, and hemoglobin concentrations, we employed multivariable-adjusted logistic regression to investigate the relationship between anemia and testosterone levels. Moreover, a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study employing genome-wide association study (GWAS) data examined the causal relationship. Kaplan-Meier survival estimation was used to compared the overall survival (OS) of anemic and nonanemic patients with low testosterone and normal testosterone levels.

Results: The inclusion of 21,786 participants (2318 with anemia and19,468 without anemia) revealed that nonanemic patients exhibited higher testosterone levels than did anemic patients (β = 22.616, 95% CI: 3.873-41.359, p = 0.01807). MR analysis confirmed anemia as a cause of TD (OR = 1.045, 95% CI: 1.020-1.071, p < 0.001). Anemic males with low testosterone had reduced OS compared to those with normal levels (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Anemia emerged as a potential risk factor for TD, highlighting a bidirectional relationship between these conditions. Additional prospective investigations are essential for the validation and reinforcement of our findings.