children s health issues
Male Hypogonadism in Children
Diagnosis of Male Hypogonadism
Blood tests Chromosomal analysis Doctors suspect the diagnosis of hypogonadism when a boy has developmental abnormalities or delayed puberty. Doctors examine the boy's penis and testes to see whether they are normally developed for his age. To confirm the diagnosis, doctors do blood tests to measure the levels oftestosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone. The levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone help doctors determine whether hypogonadism is primary or secondary. Doctors measure levels of other hormones as well. Doctors may do a chromosomal analysis, especially if they suspect Klinefelter syndrome. Chromosomes and genes can be evaluated by analyzing a sample of blood ( see Overview of Chromosome and Gene Disorders ). 