Journal
JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION
Volume 32, Issue 11, Pages 934-938Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/BF03345775
Keywords
FSH; functional hypogoradotropic hypogonadism; hypogonadotropic hypogonadism; male infertility; testosterone
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH), or secondary hypogonadism, is a clinical condition due to an impairment of the pituitary function, characterized by low testosterone plasma levels associated with normal or low FSH and LH plasma levels. An impairment of gonadotropin secretion and, therefore, a reduced efficiency of spermatogenesis was reported to be frequently associated to conditions different from the classical causes of secondary hypogonadism. These conditions (metabolic, endocrine and eating disorders, physical exercise etc.) have been associated with a non-classical form of HH that could be called functional HH (FHH). FHH differs from the classical one by the evidence that gonadotropin levels are in the low-normal range, but are inadequate for the testosterone levels, that often are also in the low-normal range. This commentary aims at reviewing knowledge on the forms of male HH in order to indicate and discuss clinical context, diagnostic and therapeutic approach in the less known non-classical form, i.e. FHH. (J. Endocrinol. Invest. 32: 934-938, 2009) (C) 2009, Editrice Kurtis
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available