Adrenal androgens, sex-hormone binding globulin and bone density in osteoporotic menopausal women: is there a relationship?

The relationships among sex steroids, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and vertebral bone density as measured by computerized tomography were studied in 18 post-menopausal women. A significant negative correlation was found between SHBG binding capacity (SHBG-BC) and bone density. Bone density and the adrenal androgen dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) declined with age, and SHBG-BC was correlated significantly with DHEAS concentrations. The relationship between SHBG-BC and bone density may be affected by adrenal androgen output.