Testosterone Deficiency

Basics

Description

  • Testosterone (T) is the principle circulating androgen in males. Testosterone deficiency (TD) is characterized by low levels of T in addition to signs and symptoms.
  • No universally accepted threshold of T concentration to distinguish eugonadal from hypogonadal men, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) definition is T <300 ng/dL.
  • T levels correlate with overall health and may be associated with sexual dysfunction.
  • Synonym(s): hypogonadism; hypoandrogenism; androgen deficiency; low T

Epidemiology

Prevalence

  • Estimates of TD vary; typically 20% of men >60 years, 30% >70 years, and 50% >80 years of age
  • Symptomatic TD in United States ages 40 to 69 years is 6–12.3%
  • Affects 2.4 million men in United States ages 40 to 69 years

Etiology and Pathophysiology

Hypothalamus produces gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which stimulates pituitary to produce follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). LH stimulates Leydig cells to produce T. Leydig cells are responsible for 90% of the body’s T.

  • Primary hypogonadism: Testes produce insufficient amount of T; FSH/LH levels are elevated.
  • Secondary hypogonadism: low T from inadequate production of LH
  • Congenital syndromes: cryptorchidism, Klinefelter, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (Kallmann)
  • Acquired: cancer, trauma, orchiectomy, steroids
  • Infectious: mumps (orchitis), HIV, tuberculosis
  • Systemic: Cushing, hemochromatosis, autoimmune, severe illness (e.g., renal and liver disease), metabolic syndrome, obesity, obstructive sleep apnea
  • Medications and drugs: LHRH agonists, corticosteroids, ethanol, marijuana, opioids, SSRIs
  • Elevated prolactin: prolactinoma, dopamine antagonists (neuroleptics and metoclopramide)

Genetics

  • Klinefelter syndrome: XXY karyotype
  • Kallmann syndrome: abnormal GnRH secretion

Risk Factors

  • Obesity, diabetes, COPD, depression, thyroid disorders, malnutrition, alcohol, stress
  • Chronic infections, inflammatory states, chronic steroid use, narcotic use
  • Undescended testicles, varicocele
  • Testicular trauma, cancer, testicular radiation, chemotherapy, disorders of the pituitary and/or hypothalamus

General Prevention

General health maintenance and treatment of obesity

Commonly Associated Conditions

  • Infertility, erectile dysfunction, low libido
  • Osteopenia/osteoporosis
  • Diabetes, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome
  • Depressed mood, poor concentration, irritability

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