title: Subclinical male hypogonadism.
abstract: Male hypogonadism is traditionally defined as the inadequate production of testosterone and impaired spermatozoa generation in the presence of elevated or reduced levels of gonadotropins. A more frequent measurement of testosterone levels and the development of highly sensitive and specific assays have led to the detection of less clinically evident gonadal dysfunction, in which small biochemical alterations may or may not be accompanied by signs and symptoms. This condition is called "compensated" or "subclinical" hypogonadism. To determine whether subclinical hypogonadism is a paraphysiological state, a clinical condition in itself, or a precursor to overt hypogonadism, we carried out a literature review with the aim of establishing a practical approach to subclinical hypogonadism.
authors.affiliation: Sapienza University of Rome, Dept. of Experimental Medicine, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giannetta
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gianfrilli
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Barbagallo
authors.forename: Andrea M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Isidori
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lenzi
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D013739:Testosterone / Q000172:deficiency*
chemical_list: D013739:Testosterone