Hypogonadism Quiz

Testing for hypogonadism.

 Hypogonadism is the diminished or lack of production of sex hormones in the gonads.

 1. True or False. There is a universally accepted threshold serum testosterone level below which symptoms of hypogonadism and increased morbidity/mortality have been consistently demonstrated.

A. True
B. False

2. Which of the following statements is/are TRUE regarding serum testosterone levels?

A. Serum testosterone levels follow a circadian rhythm
B. Meals suppress serum testosterone levels
C. Low serum testosterone is nearly always accompanied by clinical symptoms of hypogonadism
D. A and B

3. Decreased sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) has been observed in __________.

4. In primary (hypergonadotropic) hypogonadism, luteinizing hormone (LH) is __________ and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is __________.

5. True or False. Serum testosterone levels should not be measured during acute illness.

A. True
B. False

Answer Key:

1. B. False - According to an article published online in Clinical Endocrinology News, “[d]iagnosis of hypogonadism is challenging since there is no universally accepted threshold serum testosterone level below which symptoms and increased morbidity/mortality have been consistently demonstrated.”

2. D. A and B - According to an article published online in Clinical Endocrinology News, “[s]erum testosterone levels exhibit a circadian rhythm,” “[g]lucose administration and meals suppress serum testosterone levels,” and “the prevalence of low testosterone levels alone without symptoms or signs is much higher than the prevalence of the clinical syndrome” of hypogonadism.

3. A. Diabetes - According to an article published online in Clinical Endocrinology News, decreased SHBG has been observed in patients with diabetes, while increased SHBG is observed in advancing age, hepatitis, or HIV infection.

4. A. Increased; increased - According to an article published online in Clinical Endocrinology News, “LH and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are elevated in primary (hypergonadotropic) hypogonadism, and are low or inappropriately normal in secondary (hypogonadotropic) hypogonadism.”

5.  A. True - According to an article published online in Clinical Endocrinology News, “[s]erum testosterone levels should not be measured during acute illness since transient secondary (and occasionally, primary) hypogonadism are frequently observed in this setting along with derangements in protein binding; the degree of hypogonadism is directly related to the severity of illness.