Male hypogonadism (decreased testosterone secretion) – An often forgotten disease

Article written by Resident Doctor Trinh Ngoc Anh - Department of General Internal Medicine - Vinmec Times City International Hospital

Male hypogonadism is common in the elderly, in obese men, with comorbidities, and in men with poor health status. Hypogonadism can result from any degree of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis damage.

Male hypogonadism is a clinical syndrome characterized by testosterone deficiency and adversely affects multiple organ function and quality of life. In middle-aged men, the incidence of male hypogonadism ranges from 2.1 to 12.8%. The prevalence of low testosterone with symptoms of male hypogonadism in men between the ages of 40 and 79 ranges from 2.1 to 5.7%. Male hypogonadism is common in obese men, the elderly, people with comorbidities, and men with poor health status.

Hypogonadism can result from any degree of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis damage. Primary hypogonadism occurs when the testes are not able to produce enough sex steroids to inhibit normal FSH-LH secretion. Secondary hypogonadism is caused by impaired Gn-RH secretion in the hypothalamus or in the pituitary's inability to respond to Gn-RH to secrete FSH and LH. The most common is secondary hypogonadism.
Causes of primary hypogonadism include:
undescended testicles ; Gene/chromosomal damage: XXY syndrome, Klinefelter; Testicular damage: Cancer, inflammation; Secondary testicular dysfunction; Testicular atrophy ; Congenital absence of testicles; Disorders of sexual development; Sexual real estate. Causes of secondary hypogonadism:
Hypopituitarism: Tumor, surgery, radiation...; Injury to the hypothalamus: Surgery, irradiation, spontaneous injury...; Gene/chromosomal damage: Prader-Willi syndrome; Other endocrine gland diseases: Hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, adrenal insufficiency, Cushing's syndrome; Hypogonadism due to abuse of hormones, androgens... Causes of mixed hypogonadism:
Systemic pathology: Anemia, advanced age, kidney failure, cirrhosis of the liver, immunodeficiency. Abuse of alcohol, smoking, corticosteroids.

Symptoms of hypogonadism depend on the timing and extent of hypogonadism

Androgen deficiency or antiandrogen due to an abnormality of the androgen receptor or LH receptor during this period can disrupt the development of the external genitalia (level from the lower urinary tract to the genitalia). female external genitalia with intra-abdominal testes).

Small testicles, possibly ectopic; Status like eunuchs; Gynecomastia; High voice; No bone head ossification; Slow body development; Body hair, facial hair sparse; Infertility; Osteoporosis; Myasthenia; Decreased sexual desire/activity.

Decreased libido; Erectile dysfunction ; Myasthenia; Osteoporosis; Negative thoughts; Fatigue, decreased strength; Hair loss; Hot flashes; Reduced fertility. The above-mentioned symptoms are often non-specific, not immediately life-threatening, so many patients are subjective and do not go to the doctor early, so they are often detected late. Therefore, men with the above symptoms should be screened and detected early for hypogonadism (by Testosterone test) and receive appropriate treatment to regain male form as well as improve quality enhancement. life.
You can perform a Testosterone test at Vinmec International General Hospital with a system of modern and advanced testing machines, with high accuracy, for quick results. A team of male and female medical doctors are professionally trained, domestically and internationally, to help you diagnose the disease accurately and provide the latest and most effective regimens.
If you have a need to examine and treat male hypogonadism at Vinmec, please book an appointment directly at the website or contact the hotline for detailed advice.