Hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism due to testicular adrenal rest tumours presenting with hypogonadotrophic hypergonadism.
Primary testicular failure is characterized by low serum testosterone with appropriately high serum gonadotrophins, that is hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism. We report on a 27-year-old man with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and infertility due to testicular adrenal rest rumours (TART) resulting in primary testicular failure but presenting with azoospermia, elevated serum testosterone and very low serum gonadotrophins. Hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism was unmasked by increasing glucocorticoid dosage. It is important to recognise the limitations of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone and testosterone in assessing testicular function in men with CAH. Abnormal semen analysis may be the best indicator of testicular dysfunction in men with CAH.
Department of Clinical Chemistry, New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, West Midlands, WV10 0QP, UK. helen.ashby@nhs.net
Helen L
HL
Ashby
Rouvick M
RM
Gama
Hariom
H
Sur
John
J
Inglis
Clare
C
Ford
Rousseau
R
Gama
D000314:Adrenal Rest Tumor / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D007246:Infertility / Q000209:etiology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone