Sex Steroids, Precursors, and Metabolite Deficiencies in Men With Isolated Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism and Panhypopituitarism: A GCMS-Based Comparative Study
November 2014
in “
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
”
TLDR Men with isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism have partial steroid deficiencies, while those with panhypopituitarism have severe deficiencies.
The study compared serum levels of sex steroids, precursors, and metabolites in 42 healthy men, 16 untreated men with isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH), and 23 men with panhypopituitarism (Hypo-Pit). Using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, it was found that men with IHH had significantly lower levels of testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and estradiol (E2) compared to healthy controls, but these levels were still detectable. In contrast, men with Hypo-Pit exhibited dramatically lower levels of these steroids, with T, DHT, and E2 being undetectable or barely detectable. The study concluded that while steroid deficiencies in IHH were marked but partial, those in Hypo-Pit were very severe, potentially impacting health and quality of life.
