Hypogonadism and How It Relates to Bone Health
Also called gonadal deficiency, hypogonadism (hypo = under) means that the sex glands produce little or no hormones. In men the glands are the testes that produce androgens, and in women the ovaries that produce estrogens.
There are many possible reasons for this condition, and the cause can be primary or central. Primary means that the problem is located in the gland itself, while central means that the problem is to be found elsewhere, in this case in the brain.
Primary hypogonadism causes include:
- Genetic, such as Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome,
- Autoimmune disorders,
- Liver and kidney disease,
- Radiation,
- Surgery
In central hypogonadism the hypothalamus and pituitary gland do not function properly. Causes can include:
- Infections
- Bleeding
- Certain medication
- Genetic problems such as Kallman syndrome and Hyperprolactinemia
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Hemochromatosis
- Radiation
- Surgery
- Trauma
- Tumors
Symptoms
In girls if hypogonadism occurs during childhood, they will not begin menstruation, and the body height will be affected as well as the appearance of sexual characteristics such as breast growth and body hair. If it occurs after puberty, symptoms include:
- Hot flashes
- Loss of body hair
- Low libido
- Amenorrhea
In boys before puberty it affects sexual characteristics such as beard growth, muscle growth and height. After puberty the symptoms include:
- Gynecomastia
- Decreased beard and body hair
- Muscle loss
- Sexual problems
If a brain tumor is the cause symptoms can be:
- Headaches or vision loss
- Galactorrhea, in case of an prolactinoma
Quick weight loss such as in anorexia nervosa and gastric bypass surgery may also cause central hypogonadism.
Diagnosis
Doctors use blood tests to diagnose hypogonadism. Checks include:
- Estrogen level
- Testosterone
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) level
- Luteinizing hormone (LH) level
- Prolactin level
- CBC (complete blood count)
- Sperm count (from semen analysis)
- Thyroid hormone level ( T3, T4, TSH)
Imaging Techniques
- Ultrasonography
- MRI
- CT scan of the brain
Treatment is almost always hormone replacement therapy. Many forms of Hypogonadism are treatable and patients have good prognoses.
Turner syndrome
Turner syndrome is a genetic condition in which cells are missing one or part of one sex chromosome, it occurs in 1 out of 2000 live births.
Symptoms
- Swollen hand and feet
- Wide and webbed neck
- Absent or incomplete development at puberty
- Broad and flat chest
- Drooping eyelids
- Dry eyes
- Infertility
- Absent menstruation
- Short height
- Vaginal dryness
Diagnosis
- Before birth by prenatal testing
- Physical exam
- Blood hormone levels
- Echocardiogram
- Karyotyping
- Chest MRI
- Ultrasound of reproductive organs and kidneys
Treatment
The aims of the treatment are a) to ensure a proper height with growth hormone, because without it the patient stays very short, and b )to ensure the sexual characteristics with estrogen replacement therapy.
Prognosis
The patient can have a normal life if monitored carefully by an experienced doctor.
Klinefelter syndrome
Alternative name for Klinefelter syndrome is 47 XXY syndrome. Klinefelter syndrome is one of a group of sex chromosome problems, and results in males who have one or more extra X chromosomes, for example XXY instead of XY. It occurs in 1 out of 500 – 1000 newborn boys.
Symptoms
- Abnormal body proportions
- Gynecomastia
- Infertility
- Sexual problems
- Less than normal amount of armpit, facial, and pubic hair
- Small, firm testicles
- Tall height
Diagnosis
Usually it is diagnosed when a man comes to a doctor because of infertility
The following test may be performed:
- Karyotyping
- Semen count
- Blood test to check hormone levels: Estradiol, FSH, LH, and testosterone.
Treatment
Testosterone therapy can be used, to improve the growth of body hair, muscles, increase energy, and sex drive, self esteem, concentration and strength.
Most men with this syndrome are not able to reproduce; however an infertility specialist may be able to help.
Kallman syndrome
This is a rare genetic condition, characterized by hypogonadism, eunuchoidism, and anosmia. It results from the failure of the hypothalamus which results in hormonal imbalance.
Symptoms
- Anosmia
- Reduced hormone production by testes or ovaries
- Progressive loss of vision
- Cleft palate
- Delayed puberty
- Small genitalia
- Delayed growth
- Infertility
Kallman Syndrome is treated with hormone replacement therapy.
Hyperprolactinemia
Hyperprolactinemia is a condition in which too much Prolactin is present in the blood of women who are not pregnant and in men. In women it results in a decline in the body’s production of progesterone which in turn can lead to irregular ovulation and menstruation.
Symptoms
- Galactorrhea
- Impotence
- Reduced libido
- Infertility
- Amenorrhea
- Osteoporosis
- Vaginal dryness
- Headache
- Vision problems
- Gynecomastia (in men)
Treatment
- Thyroid hormone replacement therapy
- Radiation treatment in case of tumors
- Dopamine agonist such as bromocriptine mesylate.
SARMs for the treatment of osteoporosis and hypogonadism.
Last updated: Apr 10, 2012
