Primary vs Secondary Hypogonadism
Answers to common questions about primary vs secondary hypogonadism.
Questions on this page
What is primary hypogonadism?
Primary hypogonadism occurs when the testes themselves are unable to produce adequate testosterone.
Typically:
Low testosterone + high LH/FSH
What is secondary hypogonadism?
Secondary hypogonadism occurs when the problem is at the level of the hypothalamus or pituitary, resulting in inadequate stimulation of the testes.
Typically:
Low testosterone + low or inappropriately normal LH/FSH
Why is this distinction important?
The treatment and the search for the underlying cause can be very different.
Secondary hypogonadism may sometimes be related to obesity, medications, high prolactin or pituitary disease and may be potentially reversible.