Functional testosterone deficiency (TD)

Functional TD

The term functional (late-onset) TD has been used to describe low testosterone levels and related features in men over the age of 50 years, who have conditions like obesity, type 2 diabetes or the metabolic syndrome, but no evidence of intrinsic, structural hypothalmic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis pathology (e.g. microprolactinoma) or specific pathology supressing the HPG axis (e.g. endogenous Cushing's syndrome).1

It is important however, that this definition does not lead to men with important comorbid conditions, being denied treatment.

Reference

• 1. Grossman M, Matsumoto AM. A perspective on middle aged and older men with functional hypogonadism: focus on holistic management. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2017;102:1067-1075.