When men have low testosterone levels.............

Question

why do they get testosterone treatment and not LH treatment instead? Since LH instructs the testes to produce T, wouldn't increasing the LH levels automatically increase T levels?

Thanks!

Answer 1

If a man has a primary testosterone deficiency then he has a testicular disorder and no amount of LH will stimulate the testes to produce enough testosterone - testosterone therapy is the only answer.

If a man has a secondary testosterone deficiency (a hypothalmic pituitary disorder) then administration of gonodatropic hormones (like LH) may help - the reality is that pharmaceutical testosterone is far more user-friendly and economical to administer for the same effect.... which is why it is almost always used.

Generally the only exception would be if the man is seeking to restore his fertility in which case a man with secondary hypogonadism may be prescribed GnRH.

Answer 2

You are correct it would increase testosterone levels.  However, increasing luteinizing hormone levels can have other unwanted side effects depending on the individual.   Such as disturbed sleep, tender nipples in men (and women), hypoglycemia, digestive problems and stress levels. LH works with Follicle stimulating hormone to increase testosterone levels.  Increasing levels by injecting testosterone is a more direct method, with fewer side effects.