open access

Vol 63, Supp. II (2012)
Review paper
Submitted: 2013-02-15
Published online: 2012-12-31
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Late onset hypogonadism in men

Krzysztof Kula, Jolanta Słowikowska-Hilczer

open access

Vol 63, Supp. II (2012)
Reviews — Postgraduate Education
Submitted: 2013-02-15
Published online: 2012-12-31

Abstract

Late onset hypogonadism (LOH) is clinical and biochemical syndrome associated with advancing age and characterized by symptoms and a deficiency in serum testosterone levels and/or action. Its pathogenesis and incidence has not been known up till now. Controversies have grown upon a lack of clear diagnostic criteria, especially non-specific symptoms and not established lower reference limit of testosterone serum level. Because of these diagnosis of LOH was variously determined. Nevertheless, substitution with testosterone in older men was recommended. European Male Aging Study (EMAS), the biggest prospective clinical study, indicated that physical and psychical LOH symptoms, considered yet as certain, do not show relation with fluctuations of testosterone levels dependent on the age. Moreover, it appears that decrease of testosterone with advancing age is lower than was suspected. Between 40 and 79 year of age it comes to –0.4%/ /year for total testosterone and –1.3%/year for free testosterone. It was found also that these changes depend mainly on modified risk factors for health but not specifically on aging. A contemporary definition of LOH is that it is occurrence of three sexual symptoms and decline of serum testosterone level below 11 nmol/L. These symptoms are: absence of morning erections, erectile dysfunction and disappearance of sexual fantasies. (Endokrynol Pol 2012; 63 (education supplement II) 15–19)

Abstract

Late onset hypogonadism (LOH) is clinical and biochemical syndrome associated with advancing age and characterized by symptoms and a deficiency in serum testosterone levels and/or action. Its pathogenesis and incidence has not been known up till now. Controversies have grown upon a lack of clear diagnostic criteria, especially non-specific symptoms and not established lower reference limit of testosterone serum level. Because of these diagnosis of LOH was variously determined. Nevertheless, substitution with testosterone in older men was recommended. European Male Aging Study (EMAS), the biggest prospective clinical study, indicated that physical and psychical LOH symptoms, considered yet as certain, do not show relation with fluctuations of testosterone levels dependent on the age. Moreover, it appears that decrease of testosterone with advancing age is lower than was suspected. Between 40 and 79 year of age it comes to –0.4%/ /year for total testosterone and –1.3%/year for free testosterone. It was found also that these changes depend mainly on modified risk factors for health but not specifically on aging. A contemporary definition of LOH is that it is occurrence of three sexual symptoms and decline of serum testosterone level below 11 nmol/L. These symptoms are: absence of morning erections, erectile dysfunction and disappearance of sexual fantasies. (Endokrynol Pol 2012; 63 (education supplement II) 15–19)
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Keywords

men; testosterone; aging

About this article
Title

Late onset hypogonadism in men

Journal

Endokrynologia Polska

Issue

Vol 63, Supp. II (2012)

Article type

Review paper

Pages

15-19

Published online

2012-12-31

Page views

699

Article views/downloads

7979

Keywords

men
testosterone
aging

Authors

Krzysztof Kula
Jolanta Słowikowska-Hilczer

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