Hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Assosciate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Prashanth Saddala M.B.B.S
Synonyms and keywords: Secondary hypoganadism; Central hypogonadism; gonadotropin-releasing hormone deficiency; gonadotropin deficiency; HH; primary HH, secondary HH; syndromic HH; isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism; primary hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
Overview
Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism is a condition which is characterized by hypogonadism due to an impaired secretion of gonadotropins, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), by the pituitary gland in the brain, and in turn decreased gonadotropin levels and a resultant lack of sex steroid production.[1]
Pathophysiology
The type of HH, based on its cause, may be classified as either primary or secondary.
Primary Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism
Primary HH, also called isolated HH, is responsible for only a small subset of cases of HH, and is characterized by an otherwise normal function and anatomy of the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary. It is caused by congenital syndromes such as Kallmann syndrome and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) insensitivity.
Secondary Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism
Secondary HH, also known as acquired or syndromic HH, is far more common than primary HH, and is responsible for most cases of the condition. It has a multitude of different causes, including brain or pituitary tumors, pituitary apoplexy, head trauma, ingestion of certain drugs, and certain systemic diseases and syndromes.[1]
Diagnosis
Symptoms
Symptoms of hypogonadism include
Differentiating hypogonadism from other diseases:
Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism should be differentiated from other diseases causing hypogonadism like features.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
Diseases | Onset | Manifestations | Diagnosis | |||||||
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History and Symptoms | Physical examination | Laboratory findings | Gold standard | Imaging | Other investigation findings | |||||
Trumatic delivery | Lactation failure | Menstrual irregularities | Other features | |||||||
Sheehan's syndrome | Acute | ++ | ++ | Oligo/amenorrhea | Symptoms of: |
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CT/MRI:
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Lymphocytic hypophysitis | Acute | +/- | + | Oligo/amenorrhea |
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Assays for:
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Pituitary apoplexy | Acute | +/- | ++ | Oligo/amenorrhea | Severe headache
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Blood tests may be done to check: | ||
Empty sella syndrome | Chronic | - | + | Oligo/amenorrhea |
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Simmonds' disease/Pituitary cachexia | Chronic | +/- | + | Oligo/amenorrhea |
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Hypothyroidism | Chronic | +/- | - | Oligomenorrhea/menorrhagia |
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Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism | Chronic | - | - | Oligo/amenorrhea |
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Hypoprolactinemia | Chronic | - | + | - |
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Panhypopituitarism | Chronic | - | + | Oligo/amenorrhea |
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Primary adrenal insufficiency/Addison's disease | Chronic | - | - | - |
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Menopause | Chronic | - | +/- | Oligo/amenorrhea |
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Normal |
Treatment
Treatment of HH may consist of administration of either a GnRH agonist or a gonadotropin formulation in the case of primary HH and treatment of the root cause (e.g., a tumor) of the symptoms in the case of secondary HH. Alternatively, hormone replacement therapy with androgens and estrogens in males and females, respectively, may be employed.
See also
- Hypogonadism
- Delayed puberty and infertility
- Hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and HPG axis
- Gonads (testicles and ovaries)
- GnRH and gonadotropins (FSH and LH)
- Sex hormones (androgens and estrogens)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Isolated Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Deficiency Overview - GeneReviews™ - NCBI Bookshelf".
- ↑ Sato N, Sze G, Endo K (1998). "Hypophysitis: endocrinologic and dynamic MR findings". AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 19 (3): 439–44. PMID 9541295.
- ↑ Powrie JK, Powell M, Ayers AB, Lowy C, Sönksen PH (1995). "Lymphocytic adenohypophysitis: magnetic resonance imaging features of two new cases and a review of the literature". Clin. Endocrinol. (Oxf). 42 (3): 315–22. PMID 7758238.
- ↑ Honegger J, Schlaffer S, Menzel C, Droste M, Werner S, Elbelt U, Strasburger C, Störmann S, Küppers A, Streetz-van der Werf C, Deutschbein T, Stieg M, Rotermund R, Milian M, Petersenn S (2015). "Diagnosis of Primary Hypophysitis in Germany". J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 100 (10): 3841–9. doi:10.1210/jc.2015-2152. PMID 26262437.
- ↑ Thodou E, Asa SL, Kontogeorgos G, Kovacs K, Horvath E, Ezzat S (1995). "Clinical case seminar: lymphocytic hypophysitis: clinicopathological findings". J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 80 (8): 2302–11. doi:10.1210/jcem.80.8.7629223. PMID 7629223.
- ↑ Imura H, Nakao K, Shimatsu A, Ogawa Y, Sando T, Fujisawa I, Yamabe H (1993). "Lymphocytic infundibuloneurohypophysitis as a cause of central diabetes insipidus". N. Engl. J. Med. 329 (10): 683–9. doi:10.1056/NEJM199309023291002. PMID 8345854.
- ↑ Hsieh CY, Liu BY, Yang YN, Yin WH, Young MS (2011). "Massive pericardial effusion with diastolic right ventricular compression secondary to hypothyroidism in a 73-year-old woman". Emerg Med Australas. 23 (3): 372–5. doi:10.1111/j.1742-6723.2011.01425.x. PMID 21668725.
- ↑ Dejager S, Gerber S, Foubert L, Turpin G (1998). "Sheehan's syndrome: differential diagnosis in the acute phase". J. Intern. Med. 244 (3): 261–6. PMID 9747750.