Hypogonadism – Male baby Hormonal deficiency

Male hypogonadism is a condition in which the body doesn’t produce enough of the hormone that plays a key role in masculine growth and development during puberty (testosterone) or enough sperm or both. You can be born with male hypogonadism, or it can develop later in life, often from injury or infection.

Causes

HH is caused by a lack of hormones that normally stimulate the ovaries or testes. These hormones include gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).

Normally:

  • The hypothalamus in the brain releases GnRH.
  • This hormone stimulates the pituitary gland to release FSH and LH.
  • These hormones tell the female ovaries or the male testes to release hormones that lead to normal sexual development in puberty, normal menstrual cycles, estrogen levels and fertility in adult women, and normal testosterone production and sperm production in adult men.
  • Any change in this hormone release chain causes a lack of sex hormones. This prevents normal sexual maturity in children and normal function of the testicles or ovaries in adults.

There are several causes of HH:

  • Damage to the pituitary gland or hypothalamus from surgery, injury, tumor, infection, or radiation
  • Genetic defects
  • High doses or long-term use of opioid or steroid (glucocorticoid) medicines
  • High prolactin level (a different hormone released by the pituitary)
  • Severe stress
  • Nutritional problems (both rapid weight gain or weight loss)
  • Long-term (chronic) medical diseases, including chronic inflammation or infections
  • Drug use, such as heroin or use or abuse of prescription opiate medicines
  • Certain medical conditions, such as iron overload

Kallmann syndrome is an inherited form of HH. Some people with this condition also have anosmia (loss of the sense of smell).

Symptoms

Children:

  • Lack of growth and sexual development at the standard age for puberty (development may be very late or incomplete)
  • In girls, a lack of breast development and menstrual periods
  • In boys, no development of sex characteristics, such as enlargement of the testes and penis, deepening of the voice, and facial hair
  • Inability to smell (in some cases)
  • Short stature (in some cases)

Adults:

  • Loss of interest in sex (libido) in men
  • Loss of menstrual periods (amenorrhea) in women
  • Decreased energy and interest in activities
  • Loss of muscle mass in men
  • Weight gain
  • Mood changes
  • Infertility

Exams and Tests

The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms.

Tests that may be done include:

  • Blood tests to measure hormone levels such as FSH, LH, and TSH, prolactin, testosterone and estradiol
  • LH response to GnRH
  • MRI of the pituitary gland/hypothalamus (to look for a tumor or other growth)
  • Genetic testing
  • Blood tests to check for iron level

Hypogonadism Treatment

Testosterone therapy(TT) is the best treatment for hypogonadism; TT therapy means giving testosterone in doses that return the testosterone levels in the blood to normal. However, Dr. Chirag Bhandari prescribed hormone replacement therapy for men with Hypogonadism only confirmed by blood tests. Testosterone therapy(TT) is regular for life for better and more successful results.

The other treatment for Low testosterone levels or hypogonadism are