Utility and limitations in measuring testosterone

Abstract

In men, testosterone, the principal circulating androgen, has essential reproductive functions in establishing and maintaining the male phenotype. It also plays important anabolic roles in somatic tissues, such as muscle and bone. Organic hypogonadism resulting from structural hypothalamic-pituitary testicular (HPT) axis dysfunction is an important diagnosis not to be missed. It is an important differential to consider not only in the man presenting with low libido or infertility, but also with non-reproductive features such as otherwise unexplained weakness, anemia or osteoporosis. Hypogonadism is primarily a clinical diagnosis. Men who present with features suggestive of androgen deficienc..