HIV and Testosterone Deficiency

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Testosterone deficiency is frequently seen in both men and women with HIV. Endocrine abnormalities, which can affect testosterone production, have long been recognized as a complication of HIV since the earliest days of the pandemic (although it has generally been associated with late stage disease).

However, recent research has shown that nearly one out of every five men with HIV has documented testosterone deficiency, irrespective of CD4 count, viral load, or treatment status.

Similarly, testosterone deficiency is seen in one in four HIV-positive women, most often in the context of severe, unexplained weight loss (HIV wasting).

Testosterone is the steroid hormone which is central to the development of the testes (testicles) and prostate in men as well as the promotion of secondary male sexual characteristics (e.g., lean muscle mass, bone mass, hair growth). Testosterone is also important to women in maintaining normal muscle and bone mass, although at levels around 10% less than men.

In both men and women, testosterone is essential to a person's overall health and well-being, contributing to an individual's strength, energy levels, and libido.

By contrast, testosterone depletion is associated with:

Testosterone deficiency in men with HIV is largely associated with an endocrine abnormality called male hypogonadism in which the function of the male gonads (testes) is impaired, resulting in the diminished production of sex hormones beyond what would be expected of a man's specific age.

In the general population, hypogonadism is known to occur in about one in 25 men between the ages of 30 and 50, increasing to one in 14 between the ages of 50 to 79. By contrast, the incidence among men with HIV is as much as five times greater.

Hypogonadism can be caused by either a defect in the testes themselves (primary) or a dysfunction occurring outside of the testes (secondary). In adult males with HIV:

Hypogonadism can also be caused by childhood mumps or the abuse of anabolic steroids. HIV medications have not been shown to contribute to hypogonadism.

Hypogonadism in adult males is characterized by low serum (blood) testosterone levels, as well as one or several of following symptoms:

Diagnosis is made by measuring the amount of testosterone in the blood, of which there are three different subtypes. When a test is performed, the results will reveal both a person's total testosterone (all subtypes) and one of the three subtypes called free testosterone.

Free testosterone is simply a type of testosterone to which no protein is attached, allowing it enter cells and activate receptors that other subtypes can't. It is considered the most accurate measure of testosterone deficiency, despite representing only 2-3% of the total population. On its own, total testosterone is considered less accurate since results can appear normal if other non-free subtypes are elevated.

Testing should be performed early in the morning since levels can fluctuate by up to 20% during the course of a day. "Normal" levels are simply those within the reference range of the lab. These ranges can vary, but, for illustrative purposes, are roughly between

However, an assessment of "normal" cannot be made by numbers alone. Testosterone levels tend to drop by about 1-2% every year after the age of 40. Therefore, what may be "normal" for a 60-year-old male won't be the same for a 30-year-old. Assessments need to be made on an individual basis with your treating doctor.

If a diagnosis of hypogonadism is confirmed, testosterone replacement therapy may be indicated. Intramuscular testosterone injections are usually recommended, which offer low side effects if physiological doses are used and adjusted by the treating doctor. FDA-approved options include Depo-testosterone (testosterone cypionate) and Delatestryl (testosterone enanthate).

On average, injections are given every two to four weeks. To avoid the effects of fluctuating testosterone levelswhich can cause sometimes dramatic swings in mood, energy, and sexual functionlower doses and shorter dosing intervals are often used.

Side effects of treatment can include:

Testosterone replacement therapy can also cause the acceleration of pre-existing prostate cancer. Because of this, a patient's prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels will be tested and monitored during the course of therapy.

All told, intramuscular injections offer a cost-effective option for treating hypogonadism, with associative increases in alertness, well-being, libido, lean muscle mass, and erection ability. Disadvantages include regular doctor's visits and dosing administration.

Oral, transdermal, and topical gel agents are also available, and may be applicable in certain cases. Discuss these with your doctor.

In women, testosterone is produced in the ovaries and adrenal glands. As with men, it is an important hormone for maintaining normal muscle and bone mass, as well as energy, strength, and libido.

While hypogonadism is far less common in women with HIV, it can occur and is most often in the context of HIV wasting and advanced disease. The implementation of ART can reverse wasting and the hypogonadal state in many cases.

There are currently no fixed guidelines for the treatment of female hypogonadism, and treatment options are limited. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be appropriate for some, while the short-term use of testosterone may improve sex drive, lean muscle mass, and energy levels.

However, data is still incomplete on the use of testosterone to treat hypogonadism in pre-menopausal women with HIV. Speak with your health care provider about possible side effects. Testosterone is not recommended for women who are pregnant or wish to become pregnant.

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Grinspoon, S. "The Use of Androgens in HIV-Infected Men and Women." Physicians Research Network Notebook. March 2005.

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