Position
Statements
Use and Misuse
of Androgens
Table 2 -
Biochemical Evaluation of the Diagnosis of Androgen Deficiency in
Men with Clinical Features Consistent with Hypogonadism
| Testosterone
(1) |
LH1 |
Diagnosis |
| <
8 nM |
high
(2) |
androgen
deficiency (hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism (4))
|
| <
8 nM |
not
high |
androgen
deficiency (hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism (4))
|
| 8
- 15 nM |
high
(2) |
androgen
deficiency (Leydig cell failure (5)) |
| 8
- 15 nM |
not
high |
androgen
deficiency not confirmed - unproven therapeutic benefit of androgen
replacement therapy |
| >
20 nM |
any |
excludes
androgen deficiency |
| >
30 nM (3) |
high
(2) |
androgen
resistance |
Notes
- Blood
sample classification based on at least 2 separate morning blood
samples
- "High"
LH level is defined as >1.5 x upper limit eugonadal reference
range for young men
- Elevated
testosterone is defined as above the upper limit of the eugonadal
reference range for young men
- Hypergonadotrophic
and hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism are also referred to as primary
and secondary hypogonadism, respectively.
- Compensated
Leydig cell failure is a form of partial androgen deficiency in
which androgen replacement is often beneficial
|
