Management of late-onset hypogonadism: person-centred thresholds, targets, techniques and tools.
- Department of Endocrinology, Bharti Hospital and BRIDE, Karnal, India, Email: brideknl@gmail.com.
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Llantrisant, UK.
- Department of Endocrinology, Gangaram Bansal Hospital, Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, India.
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Christian Medical College & Hospital, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
- Non communicable disease unit, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Science, The University of Melbourne, Australia.
The journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh Vol. 51 · Issue 1 · pp. 79-84
PMID 33877144 DOI 10.4997/jrcpe.2021.121
Cite This Article
Sanjay Kalra, Atul Kalhan, Atul Dhingra, Nitin Kapoor. Management of late-onset hypogonadism: person-centred thresholds, targets, techniques and tools. The journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. 2021;51(1):79-84. doi:10.4997/jrcpe.2021.121
Abstract
Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is a complex and highly debatable syndrome in ageing men, which is characterised by reduced testosterone levels associated with classical symptoms of androgen deficiency. This article discusses the complex issues surrounding its management related to patient-centric thresholds and therapeutic targets. It specifically highlights the need to consider symptoms as the starting point, the key milestones in the management and the target of treatment, while ensuring safety at all times. The diagnosis of LOH requires a high index of suspicion and early identification of symptoms followed by appropriate investigations. The threshold for initiation of treatment has to be person centric and requires individualised decisions. The dose, preparation, route and follow up after testosterone initiation also may vary among different people. A person-centred approach is key to the successful management of this complex, nebulous yet debilitating disease.
Keywords
- late-onset hypogonadism
- male hypogonadism
- person-focused approach
- testosterone deficiency




