Aging and androgens: Physiology and clinical implications

Abstract

In men > ~35 years, aging is associated with perturbations in the hypothalamus-pituitary-testicular axis and declining serum testosterone concentrations. The major changes are decreased gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) outflow and decreased Leydig cell responsivity to stimulation by luteinizing hormone (LH). These physiologic changes increase the prevalence of biochemical secondary hypogonadism-a low serum testosterone concentration without an elevated serum LH concentration. Obesity, medications such as opioids or corticosteroids, and systemic disease further reduce GnRH and LH secretion and might result in biochemical or clinical secondary hypogonadism. Biochemical secondary hypogonadism related to aging often remits with weight reduction and avoidance or treatment of other factors that suppress GnRH and LH secretion. Starting at age ~65-70, progressive Leydig cell dysfunction increases the prevalence of biochemical primary hypogonadism-a low serum testosterone concentration with an elevated serum LH concentration. Unlike biochemical secondary hypogonadism in older men, biochemical primary hypogonadism is generally irreversible. The evaluation of low serum testosterone concentrations in older men requires a careful assessment for symptoms, signs and causes of male hypogonadism. In older men with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30, biochemical secondary hypogonadism and without an identifiable cause of hypothalamus or pituitary pathology, weight reduction and improvement of overall health might reverse biochemical hypogonadism. For older men with biochemical primary hypogonadism, testosterone replacement therapy might be beneficial. Because aging is associated with decreased metabolism of testosterone and increased tissue-specific androgen sensitivity, lower dosages of testosterone replacement therapy are often effective and safer in older men.

Keywords: Aging; Dihydrotestosterone; Estradiol; Hypogonadism; Late-onset hypogonadism; Testosterone.