[Late-onset hypogonadism in men: uncertain disease entity and reservations regarding treatment with testosterone].
Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is defined as insufficient testosterone levels in combination with associated psychological, somatovegetative and sexual symptoms in elderly men. Because the symptomatology of LOH is not specific, it is unclear whether LOH can be considered a clinically relevant entity. At this time, treatment of LOH with testosterone has been shown to have favourable effects on body composition only. The risks of treatment with testosterone appear to be minimal when absolute contraindications (prostate cancer) are observed, although long-term studies on the safety of testosterone therapy are lacking. Restraint in the diagnosis and treatment of LOH is therefore warranted.
Nieuwenhuijzen Kruseman
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AC
Academisch Ziekenhuis Maastricht, afd. Interne Geneeskunde, divisie Endocrinologie, AZ Maastricht. a.kruseman@intmed.unimaas.nl
D017668:Age of Onset; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D012449:Safety; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D013739:Testosterone