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Late-Onset Hypogonadism

Medically reviewed by Jeffrey M. Rothschild, MD, MPH.
Associate Professor of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Last updated June 11, 2022
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What is late-onset hypogonadism?
Symptoms
Treatment
Table of Contents
What is late-onset hypogonadism?
Symptoms
Treatment
Tooltip Icon.
Speech Bubble Icon.0
Medically reviewed by
Jeffrey M. Rothschild, MD, MPH.
Associate Professor of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Last updated June 11, 2022

Late-onset hypogonadism quiz

Take a quiz to find out what's causing your late-onset hypogonadism.

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Care Plan

1

First steps to consider

  • If you are overweight, losing weight can help raise testosterone levels, so it’s important to make lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet and exercising.
2

When you may need a provider

  • You have symptoms of late-onset hypogonadism (fatigue, weakness, muscle loss, decreased sexual desire) after trying lifestyle changes for 6–8 weeks.
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Late-onset hypogonadism quiz

Take a quiz to find out what's causing your late-onset hypogonadism.

Take late-onset hypogonadism quiz

What is late-onset hypogonadism?

Late-onset hypogonadism is also called LOH, androgen deficiency, or testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS.)

It is when men, usually over 50, have lower levels of testosterone, the male sex hormone. A small amount of loss is natural due to aging, but LOH causes symptoms that may be severe and can interfere with quality of life.

Testosterone is needed to maintain the male reproductive system, but it also influences many other functions including metabolism, bone density, muscle strength and formation, and clear thinking.

LOH is most often caused by a direct loss of functioning in the testicles from the combination of aging and other illnesses, especially those which interfere with circulation such as obesity, diabetes, or heart disease.

It may also be caused by malfunction in the hypothalamus or pituitary glands in the brain, which control hormone levels.

Symptoms include erectile dysfunction and a decrease in libido, muscle strength, and energy. Osteoporosis is also a risk.

Rarity: Common

Top symptoms

Treatment

See a primary care doctor. Diagnosis is made through patient history and blood tests. Treatment involves testosterone replacement therapy, which usually has very positive effects.

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Jeffrey M. Rothschild, MD, MPH.
Associate Professor of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Dr. Rothschild has been a faculty member at Brigham and Women’s Hospital where he is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He currently practices as a hospitalist at Newton Wellesley Hospital. In 1978, Dr. Rothschild received his MD at the Medical College of Wisconsin and trained in internal medicine followed by a fellowship in critical care medicine. He also received an MP...
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