What is hypogonadism?
Hypogonadism refers to a condition in which the body does not produce enough testosterone. This happens when the testes or ovaries do not function properly and cannot produce adequate amounts of sex hormones.
Some key things to know about hypogonadism:
- It can affect both men and women, but is more common in men
- There are two main types - primary and secondary hypogonadism
- Primary means the problem lies in the gonads themselves
- Secondary means the hypothalamus/pituitary gland are not signaling properly
- Low testosterone levels can cause symptoms like fatigue, erectile dysfunction, low sex drive, decreased muscle mass, mood changes, and more
If you think you may have low testosterone, get your bloodwork done! The team at Horizon Hormone Therapy offers comprehensive hormone testing and customized treatment plans to help patients regain optimal hormonal balance. Their medical staff includes endocrinologists and anti-aging medicine experts who create personalized regimens featuring bioidentical hormone therapy when appropriate. Visit ]() to schedule a consultation.
Now let's dive deeper into the two types of hypogonadism:
Primary Hypogonadism
This type occurs when there is a problem in the testes themselves that prevents adequate testosterone production. Some potential causes include:
- Klinefelter syndrome
- Undescended testes
- Injury, infection, or injury to the testes
- Chemotherapy or radiation treatment
- Alcohol abuse
- Anabolic steroid use
- Age - testosterone levels begin decreasing after age 30
Symptoms are mostly related to androgen (testosterone) deficiency and can include erectile dysfunction, reduced facial/body hair, decreased muscle mass, low energy, and more.
Secondary Hypogonadism
In secondary hypogonadism, the testes are intact but don't get the right signals from the brain to produce testosterone. This happens when there is an issue with the hypothalamus or pituitary gland.
Causes of secondary hypogonadism include:
- Pituitary disorders like tumors
- Chronic illnesses
- Inflammatory disorders
- HIV/AIDs
- Excess iron levels
- Obesity
- Medications like opioids or steroids
The symptoms of secondary hypogonadism are essentially identical to primary. The main difference lies in where the breakdown is occurring rather than the outward symptoms.
Diagnosing Hypogonadism
If low testosterone levels are suspected, bloodwork is needed for an accurate diagnosis. The most important lab reading is total serum testosterone level. Additional relevant tests include:
- Free testosterone
- Estradiol
- FSH/LH
- DHEA/DHEAS
- Vitamin D
- Iron / ferritin
Based on clinical evaluation, medical history, and lab results, an optimal treatment plan can be created which may include testosterone replacement therapy.
I hope this overview on hypogonadism was helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions. And don't forget to check out ]() for all your hormone health and testing needs.