Hyperandrogenism | |
---|---|
Other names | Androgen excess |
High levels of testosterone cause hyperandrogenism | |
Pronunciation | |
Specialty | Endocrinology |
Symptoms | Acne, hair loss on scalp, increased body or facial hair, hypertension, infrequent or absent menstruation [1] [2] |
Causes | Polycystic ovary syndrome, adrenal hyperplasia, Cushing's disease, cancer [1] [3] |
Diagnostic method | Blood tests, ultrasound [1] [4] |
Treatment | Birth control pills, cyproterone acetate, spironolactone, antiandrogen [1] |
Frequency | 5% in reproductive age women [2] |
Hyperandrogenism is a medical condition characterized by high levels of androgens. It is more common in women than men. [4] Symptoms of hyperandrogenism may include acne, seborrhea, hair loss on the scalp, increased body or facial hair, and infrequent or absent menstruation. [1] [2] Complications may include high blood cholesterol and diabetes. [4] It occurs in approximately 5% of women of reproductive age. [2]
Polycystic ovary syndrome accounts for about 70% of hyperandrogenism cases. [1] Other causes include Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, insulin resistance, hyperprolactinemia, Cushing's disease, certain types of cancers, and certain medications. [4] [1] [3] Diagnosis often involves blood tests for testosterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, and prolactin, as well as a pelvic ultrasound. [1] [4]
Treatment depends on the underlying cause. [4] Symptoms of hyperandrogenism can be treated with birth control pills or antiandrogens, such as cyproterone acetate or spironolactone. [1] [4] Other measures may include hair removal techniques. [3]
The earliest known description of the condition is attributed to Hippocrates. [5] [6]
In 2011, the International Association of Athletics Federations (now World Athletics) and IOC (International Olympic Committee) [7] released statements restricting the eligibility of female athletes with high testosterone, whether through hyperandrogenism or as a result of a difference in sex development (DSD). These regulations were referred to by both bodies as hyperandrogenism regulations and have led to athletes with DSDs being described as having hyperandrogenism. [8] [9] They were revised in 2019 to focus more specifically on DSDs. [10]
Hyperandrogenism affects 5–10% of women of reproductive age. [11] Hyperandrogenism can affect both men and women but is more noticeable in women since elevated levels of androgens in women may facilitate virilization. Because hyperandrogenism is characterized by elevated male sex hormone levels, symptoms of hyperandrogenism in men are often negligible. Hyperandrogenism in women is typically diagnosed in late adolescence with a medical evaluation. The medical evaluation usually consists of a pelvic exam, observation of external symptoms, and a blood test measuring androgen levels. [12] Symptoms may include the following:
Hyperandrogenism, especially high levels of testosterone, can cause serious adverse effects if left untreated. High testosterone levels are associated with other health conditions such as obesity, hypertension, amenorrhea (cessation of menstrual cycles), and ovulatory dysfunction, which can lead to infertility. Prominent signs of hyperandrogenism are hirsutism (unwanted growth of hair, especially in the abdominal region and on the back), adult acne, deepening of the voice, and alopecia (balding). [13]
Hyperandrogenism has also been observed to increase insulin tolerance, which can lead to type two diabetes and dyslipidemia, such as high cholesterol. These effects may have psychological impacts, sometimes leading to social anxiety and depression, especially in adolescent girls and young women. Paired with obesity and hirsutism, it can cause the individual to have low self-esteem. [12] [14]
Administration of high-dose testosterone in men over a course of weeks can cause an increase in aggression and hypomanic symptoms, though these were seen in only a minority of subjects. [15] Acute high-dose anabolic-androgenic steroid administration in males attenuates endogenous sex hormone production and affects the thyroid hormone axis. Effects on mood and aggression observed during high-dose anabolic-androgenic steroid administration may occur secondarily to hormonal changes. [16] Many of the same signs and symptoms that are seen in women, such as alopecia and acne, may also be found in men. [17] Enlargement of the prostate may also occur. [17]
While hyperandrogenism in women can be caused by external factors, it can also appear spontaneously.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder characterized by an excess of androgens produced by the ovaries. It is estimated that approximately 90% of women with PCOS demonstrate hypersecretion of these hormones. [18] The cause of this condition is unknown. Speculations include genetic predisposition; however, the gene or genes responsible for this remain unidentified. [19] The condition may have a hereditary basis. Other possible causes include elevated insulin production. Most cases of PCOS involve insulin resistance. [20] It is thought that adipose tissue dysfunction plays a role in the insulin resistance seen in PCOS. [20] Insulin can induce excess testosterone secretion from the ovaries. [21] A complication associated with polycystic ovary syndrome is high cholesterol, which is treated with statins. In a meta-analysis, atorvastatin was shown to decrease androgen concentrations in people with hyperandrogenism. [22]
Elevated insulin leads to lower production of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), a regulatory glycoprotein that suppresses the function of androgens. [23] High blood levels of insulin also work in conjunction with ovarian sensitivity to insulin to cause hyperandrogenemia, the primary symptom of PCOS. Obese individuals may be more biologically inclined to PCOS due to markedly higher insulin. This hormonal imbalance can lead to chronic anovulation, in which the ovaries fail to release mature eggs. These cases of ovulatory dysfunction are linked to infertility and menstrual disturbances. [18] [24] A post hoc analysis from a randomized, placebo-controlled, multi-centre study carried out at 11 secondary care centres, as well as a longitudinal single-centre study on pregnant women in Norway, also determined that metformin had no effect on maternal androgens in pregnancies occurring in the setting of PCOS. [25]
One systemic review suggested that polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor gene are associated with the prognosis of polycystic ovary syndrome, though this is based on small sample sizes and is debated. [26] [27] Studies have shown benefits for vitamin D supplementation in women with vitamin D deficiency and PCOS. [28]
Hyperinsulinemia can increase the production of androgens in the ovaries. [29] One context in which this occurs is HAIR-AN syndrome, a rare subtype of PCOS. [30] [31]
Hyperthecosis occurs when the cells of the ovarian stroma transition from interstitial cells, located between other cells, into luteinized theca cells. Theca cells are located in the ovarian follicles and become luteinized when the ovarian follicle bursts and a new corpus luteum is formed. The dispersal of luteinized theca cells throughout the ovarian stroma—in contrast to their distribution in PCOS, in which luteinized theca cells occur around cystic follicles only—causes women with hyperthecosis to have higher testosterone levels and virilization) than women with PCOS. Elevated insulin is also characteristic of hyperthecosis. [32] Hyperthecosis most commonly develops in postmenopausal women and is linked to acne, hirsutism, growth of the clitoris, baldness, and voice deepening. [33]
Obesity can play a role in insulin resistance. [34] It makes thecal cells more responsive to luteinizing hormone. [34] Therefore, obesity increases ovarian androgen production. [34] Additionally, obesity elevates inflammatory adipokines which leads to not only adipogenesis, but also heightened insulin resistance. [34]
Cushing's syndrome develops as a result of long-term exposure to the hormone cortisol. [35] [36] Cushing's syndrome can either be exogenous or endogenous, depending on whether it is caused by an external or internal source, respectively. [37] The intake of glucocorticoids, a type of corticosteroid, is a common cause for the development of exogenous Cushing's syndrome. Endogenous Cushing's syndrome can occur when the body produces excess cortisol. This occurs when the hypothalamus of the brain signals to the pituitary gland with excess corticotropin-releasing hormone, which in turn secretes adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH). ACTH then causes the adrenal glands to release cortisol into the blood. Signs of Cushing's syndrome include muscle weakness, easy bruising, weight gain, male-pattern hair growth (hirsutism), coloured stretch marks, and an excessively reddish complexion in the face. [38] Cushing's syndrome can cause androgen excess and hence the signs and symptoms of hyperandrogenism. [33]
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) describes a group of autosomal recessive disorders that cause a lack of an enzyme necessary for the production of cortisol and/or aldosterone, steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex. Most cases of CAH are due to 21-hydroxylase deficiencies. The heightened androgen levels seen in congenital adrenal hyperplasia affect the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis. [39] Heightened androgen levels can also affect the ovaries, which can lead to infertility as well as chronic anovulation. [39]
Since CAH consists of multiple disorders, the signs, symptoms and severity of hyperandrogenism may stem from a variety of specific mutations. [40] Genotyping is therefore critical to verify diagnoses and to establish prognostic factors for individuals. [41] Genotyping is also crucial for people seeking to use genetic counselling as an aid to family planning. [41]
In women, CAH causes ambiguous genitals at birth and excessive pubic hair, enlargement of the clitoris, and hirsutism in adolescence. Although CAH causes rapid growth in childhood, adult women with CAH are shorter than average due to early puberty and closure of the growth plates in the long bones. Symptoms in males include early showings of pubic hair, enlargement of the penis, and rapid musculoskeletal growth. [42]
Adrenocortical carcinoma occurs rarely; the average incidence rate is estimated to be 1–2 cases per million annually. [43] The disease involves the formation of cancerous cells within the cortex of one or both of the adrenal glands. Although these tumors are identified in fewer than two percent of patients diagnosed with hyperandrogenism, the possibility must be considered within this population. In one study, more than half of tumor-affected patients had elevated levels of the androgens androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and testosterone. [44] The elevation of androgens caused by adrenocortical carcinomas often causes patients to develop Cushing's syndrome, primary aldosteronism, and hyperandrogenism. [45] [44] The molecular basis of the disease has yet to be elucidated. [44]
Adrenal adenomas are benign tumors of the adrenal gland. In most cases, the tumors display no symptoms and require no treatment. In rare cases, however, some adrenal adenomas may become activated. When activated, the adenoma begins to produce hormones in much larger quantities than what the adrenal glands would normally produce, leading to health complications including primary aldosteronism and hyperandrogenism. [46]
Arrhenoblastoma is an uncommon tumor of the ovary. It is composed of sterol cells, Leydig cells, or some combination of the two. The tumor can produce male or female hormones and may cause masculinization. In a prepubescent child, a tumor may cause precocious puberty. Malignant arrhenoblastoma accounts for 30% of cases of arrhenoblastoma, the other 70% being largely benign and curable with surgery. [47]
A hilar cell tumor is an androgen-producing ovarian tumor that is most commonly found in older women and often leads to the development of male sex characteristics. The tumor tends to occur around the region of the ovary where the blood vessels enter the organ, known as the hilum. This type of tumor tends to be small in size and in most cases can be entirely removed and its symptoms reversed through surgery. [48]
A Krukenberg tumor is a quickly developing malignant tumor found in one or both ovaries. In most cases, the tumor primarily originates from tissues in the stomach, pancreas, gallbladder, colon, or breast. It colonized the ovary by spreading through the peritoneal cavity. [49] These tumors cause virilization. Increased androgen production due to elevations in human chorionic gonadotropin is hypothesized as the main cause of hyperandrogenism in women with Krukenberg tumors. [50]
The end of ovulation and the beginning of menopause can result in hyperandrogenism. During this transition, the body stops releasing estrogen at a faster rate than it stops releasing androgens. In some cases, the difference between the lower estrogen levels and higher androgen levels can produce hyperandrogenism. A decrease in sex hormone levels while the free androgen index increases can also contribute to this process. [51]
Many drugs can provoke symptoms of hyperandrogenism. These symptoms include, but are not limited to hirsutism, acne, dermatitis, androgenic alopecia, irregularities in menstruation, clitoral hypertrophy, and the deepening of the voice. Drugs most frequently implicated in hyperandrogenism include anabolic steroids, synthetic progestins, and antiepileptics; however, many other drugs may also cause hyperandrogenism. [52] This can happen through one of five mechanisms: the direct introduction of androgens to the body, the binding of the drug to androgen receptors (as is the case with anabolic-androgenic steroids), a reduction of sex hormone-binding globulin plasma concentration that leads to an increase in free testosterone, interference with the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian (HPO) axis, or an increase in the release of adrenal androgens. [53] Certain drugs cause hyperandrogenism through mechanisms that remain unclear. For example, the molecular basis by which valproate induces hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovary syndrome has yet to be determined. [52] However, one study showed that women taking valproic acid had higher testosterone levels and incidences of hyperandrogenism compared to women who were not taking valproic acid. [54]
Hyperandrogenism can appear as a symptom of many different genetic and medical conditions. Some of the conditions with hyperandrogenic symptoms, including PCOS, may sometimes be hereditary. Additionally, it is thought that epigenetics may contribute to the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome. [55]
One potential cause of PCOS is maternal hyperandrogenism, whereby hormonal irregularities in the mother can affect the development of the child during gestation, resulting in the passing of polycystic ovary syndrome from mother to child. [56] However, no androgen elevations were found in the umbilical cord blood of children born to mothers with PCOS. [57]
Diagnosing hyperandrogenism can be complex due to the wide variety and severity of signs and symptoms that may present. [58] It is most often diagnosed by checking for signs of hirsutism according to a standardized method that scores the range of excess hair growth. [11] [12]
Girls may show symptoms of hyperandrogenism early in life, but physicians become more concerned when the patient is in her late teens or older. [12]
Checking medical history and a physical examination of symptoms are used for an initial diagnosis. [12] Patient history assessed includes age at thelarche, adrenarche, and menarche; patterns of menstruation; obesity; reproductive history; and the start and advancement of hyperandrogenism symptoms. [12] Patterns of menstruation are examined since irregular patterns may accompany hyperandrogenism. [11] Other conditions that may present alongside hirsutism that can contribute to diagnosis include androgenic alopecia and acne. [58] If hyperandrogenism is severe, virilization may occur. [58]
Family history is also assessed for occurrences of hyperandrogenism symptoms or obesity in other family members. [12]
Laboratory tests can measure FSH, luteininzing hormone, DHEAS, prolactin, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, and total and free testosterone in the blood. [12] Abnormally high levels of any of these hormones help in diagnosing hyperandrogenism. [12]
Since risk factors are not known and vary among individuals with hyperandrogenism, there is no sure method to prevent the condition. [59] Accordingly, more long-term studies are needed to find a cause of the condition before a sufficient method of prevention can be established. [59]
Despite this, there are a few things that can help avoid long-term medical issues related to hyperandrogenism and PCOS. Getting checked by a medical professional for hyperandrogenism — especially if one has a family history of the condition, irregular periods, or diabetes — can be beneficial. [60] A healthy weight and diet may reduce the chances, as continued exercise and a healthy diet lead to an improved menstrual cycle, decreased insulin levels, and lowered androgen concentrations. [59]
There is no definitive treatment for hyperandrogenism as it varies with the underlying condition that causes it. As a hormonal symptom of PCOS, menopause, and other endocrine conditions, it is primarily treated as a symptom of these conditions. Drugs may be considered only in women who do not plan on becoming pregnant in the near future. [61] Some effective drugs for facial hirsutism includes eflornithine, which may cause birth defects in pregnant women. [62] Retinoids and antibiotics can be used for acne and minoxidil for alopecia. [62] Systemically, it is treated with antiandrogens such as cyproterone acetate, flutamide and spironolactone to reduce androgenic signaling. For hyperandrogenism caused by late-onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia (LOCAH), treatment is primarily focused on providing the patient with glucocorticoids to combat the low cortisol production and the corresponding increase in androgens caused by the increase in size of the adrenal glands. [63] [64] Estrogen-based oral contraceptives are used to treat both LOCAH- and PCOS-associated hyperandrogenism. These hormonal treatments reduce the androgen excess and suppress adrenal androgen production, bringing about a significant decrease in hirsutism. [65] [66]
Hyperandrogenism is often managed symptomatically. Hirsutism and acne both respond well to the hormonal treatments described above, with 60–100% of patients reporting an improvement in hirsutism. [65] Androgenic alopecia however, does not show an improvement with hormonal treatments and requires other treatments, such as hair transplantation. [67]
Supplementation can also contribute to the managing the symptomatic effects of hyperandrogenism. In a meta-analysis, high-dose vitamin D supplements given to women with vitamin D deficiency due to PCOS improved glucose levels, insulin sensitivity, and cholesterol levels, as well as lowering testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin, and the free androgen index, all of which are associated with hyperandrogenism. [68] Vitamin D supplementation in women with vitamin D deficiency but without PCOS did not show the same results. [28]
Lifestyle modifications are the first-line treatment for PCOS. [69] They help improve body composition, insulin resistance, and hyperandrogenism. However, it is unclear whether they help improve mood, quality of life, and reproductive outcomes. [70] A meta-analysis study in 2017 showed that bariatric surgery in women with severe obesity and PCOS decreased levels of total and free testosterone and helped correct hirsutism and menstrual dysfunction. [71]
Insulin resistance in women with PCOS is typically treated with insulin-sensitizer drugs such as metformin. Metformin can help to decrease weight and androgen levels. [72] When combined with lifestyle modifications (changes in diet and exercise), it has been linked with lower body mass index and a reduction in menstrual problems. [72] However, the use of metformin in women with PCOS should only be considered in patients with impaired glucose tolerance. [73]
Because androgen excess is manifested in noticeable physical features (such as hirsutism), social stigma may be associated with it.[ citation needed ]
Current evidence-based studies show that unusually high levels of circulating testosterone are associated with increased athletic performance in women, unless they lack androgen sensitivity. However, controversy has emerged in the form of the claim that testosterone is not unlike any other physical parameter with reference to bestowing advantages or disadvantages on female athletes. Existing regulations throughout competitive sports are currently being refined to specifically address this particular claim. [74]
Following the case of South African athlete Caster Semenya, an athlete with a difference in sex development (DSD), the International Association of Athletics Federations introduced its hyperandrogenism regulations, which restricted women with high testosterone levels, whether the hormones were produced by ovaries, adrenals, or testes. These regulations replaced the earlier sex verification rules.[ citation needed ]
Following a series of legal challenges, regulations called the Eligibility Regulations for the Female Classification (Athletes with Differences of Sexual Development) were released on 1 May 2019. [10] These regulations apply only to athletes who have a DSD, high testosterone and virilization, [75] and no longer include hyperandrogenism from non-DSD-related causes such as PCOS. Such DSDs, often seen in people who have a Y chromosome and testes, include 5α‐reductase deficiency, partial androgen insensitivity, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia.[ citation needed ]
Cultural variation can define hyperandrogenism socially—apart from clinical and chemical definitions—to make some hair growth unacceptable even if it is considered clinically normal based on metrics like the Ferriman-Gallwey score. For example, only pubic and axillary hair may be tolerated in North American women, while other androgen-dependent hair such as growth on the upper lip, over the linea alba, on the thighs, and around the areola is not. [76]
Professional organizations such as the Androgen Excess and PCOS Society exist to promote the research, treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of such disorders and to educate the public and scientific community about them. [77]
InterACT, an intersex organization, listed hyperandrogenism as an intersex variation in a glossary from 2022. [78]
Polycystic ovary syndrome, or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. The syndrome is named after cysts which form on the ovaries of some women with this condition, though this is not a universal symptom, and not the underlying cause of the disorder.
Hirsutism is excessive body hair on parts of the body where hair is normally absent or minimal. The word is from early 17th century: from Latin hirsutus meaning "hairy". It usually refers to a male pattern of hair growth in a female that may be a sign of a more serious medical condition, especially if it develops well after puberty. Cultural stigma against hirsutism can cause much psychological distress and social difficulty. Discrimination based on facial hirsutism often leads to the avoidance of social situations and to symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Amenorrhea or amenorrhoea is the absence of a menstrual period in a female who has reached reproductive age. Physiological states of amenorrhoea are seen, most commonly, during pregnancy and lactation (breastfeeding). Outside the reproductive years, there is absence of menses during childhood and after menopause.
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of autosomal recessive disorders characterized by impaired cortisol synthesis. It results from the deficiency of one of the five enzymes required for the synthesis of cortisol in the adrenal cortex. Most of these disorders involve excessive or deficient production of hormones such as glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, or sex steroids, and can alter development of primary or secondary sex characteristics in some affected infants, children, or adults. It is one of the most common autosomal recessive disorders in humans.
Anovulation is when the ovaries do not release an oocyte during a menstrual cycle. Therefore, ovulation does not take place. However, a woman who does not ovulate at each menstrual cycle is not necessarily going through menopause. Chronic anovulation is a common cause of infertility.
Adrenarche is an early stage in sexual maturation that happens in some higher primates, typically peaks at around 20 years of age, and is involved in the development of pubic hair, body odor, skin oiliness, axillary hair, sexual attraction/sexual desire/increased libido and mild acne. During adrenarche the adrenal glands secrete increased levels of weak adrenal androgens, including dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), and androstenedione (A4), but without increased cortisol levels. Adrenarche is the result of the development of a new zone of the adrenal cortex, the zona reticularis. Adrenarche is a process related to puberty, but distinct from hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis maturation and function.
Pubarche refers to the first appearance of pubic hair at puberty. It is one of the physical changes of puberty and can occur independently of complete puberty. The early stage of sexual maturation, also known as adrenarche, is marked by characteristics including the development of pubic hair, axillary hair, adult apocrine body odor, acne, and increased oiliness of hair and skin. The Encyclopedia of Child and Adolescent Health corresponds SMR2 with pubarche, defining it as the development of pubic hair that occurs at a mean age of 11.6 years in females and 12.6 years in males. It further describes that pubarche's physical manifestation is vellus hair over the labia or the base of the penis. See Table 1 for the entirety of the sexual maturity rating description.
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (CAH) is a genetic disorder characterized by impaired production of cortisol in the adrenal glands.
Clitoromegaly is an abnormal enlargement of the clitoris that is mostly congenital; it is otherwise acquired through deliberately induced clitoral enlargement e.g. body modification by use of anabolic steroids, including testosterone. It can happen as part of a gender transition. It is not the same as normal enlargement of the clitoris seen during sexual arousal.
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, abbreviated as DHEA sulfate or DHEA-S, also known as androstenolone sulfate, is an endogenous androstane steroid that is produced by the adrenal cortex. It is the 3β-sulfate ester and a metabolite of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and circulates in far greater relative concentrations than DHEA. The steroid is hormonally inert and is instead an important neurosteroid and neurotrophin.
A luteoma is a tumor that occurs in the ovaries during pregnancy. It is associated with an increase of sex hormones, primarily progesterone and testosterone. The size of the tumor can range from 1 to 25 cm in diameter, but is usually 6 to 10 cm in diameter and can grow throughout the duration of the pregnancy. However, luteomas are benign and resolve themselves after delivery. This type of tumor is rare with only about 200 documented cases; many of these cases were detected accidentally, so the actual rate of occurrence may be higher. The most obvious symptom of a luteoma is masculinization of the mother and the possible masculinization of the fetus. This occurs because of the release of testosterone by the luteoma. Testosterone is a sex hormone most abundant in men although small amounts are naturally present in women. Testosterone is responsible for the male characteristics such as deepening of the voice, growth of dark hair, and acne. While not life-threatening, the development of male characteristics associated with luteomas can cause visible changes in the mother and can have drastic effects on the formation of the fetus. Luteomas can cause the fetus to be born with an ambiguous sex, which, depending on how the parents prefer to raise the infant, may result in the parents choosing a sex for the fetus.
An adrenocortical adenoma or adrenal adenoma is commonly described as a benign neoplasm emerging from the cells that comprise the adrenal cortex. Like most adenomas, the adrenocortical adenoma is considered a benign tumor since the majority of them are non-functioning and asymptomatic. Adrenocortical adenomas are classified as ACTH-independent disorders, and are commonly associated with conditions linked to hyperadrenalism such as Cushing's syndrome (hypercortisolism) or Conn's syndrome (hyperaldosteronism), which is also known as primary aldosteronism. In addition, recent case reports further support the affiliation of adrenocortical adenomas with hyperandrogenism or florid hyperandrogenism which can cause hyperandrogenic hirsutism in females. "Cushing's syndrome" differs from the "Cushing's disease" even though both conditions are induced by hypercortisolism. The term "Cushing's disease" refers specifically to "secondary hypercortisolism" classified as "ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome" caused by pituitary adenomas. In contrast, "Cushing's syndrome" refers specifically to "primary hypercortisolism" classified as "ACTH-independent Cushing's syndrome" caused by adrenocortical adenomas.
Free Androgen Index (FAI) is a ratio used to determine abnormal androgen status in humans. The ratio is the total testosterone level divided by the sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) level, and then multiplying by a constant, usually 100. The concentrations of testosterone and SHBG are normally measured in nanomols per liter. FAI has no unit.
An androgen-dependent condition, disease, disorder, or syndrome, is a medical condition that is, in part or full, dependent on, or is sensitive to, the presence of androgenic activity in the body.
Aromatase deficiency is a rare condition characterized by extremely low levels or complete absence of the enzyme aromatase activity in the body. It is an autosomal recessive disease resulting from various mutations of gene CYP19 (P450arom) which can lead to ambiguous genitalia and delayed puberty in females, continued linear growth into adulthood and osteoporosis in males and virilization in pregnant mothers. As of 2020, fewer than 15 cases have been identified in genetically male individuals and at least 30 cases in genetically female individuals.
Hyperthecosis, or ovarian hyperthecosis, is hyperplasia of the theca interna of the ovary. Hyperthecosis occurs when an area of luteinization occurs along with stromal hyperplasia. The luteinized cells produce androgens, which may lead to hirsutism and virilization in affected women.
Cortisone reductase deficiency is caused by dysregulation of the 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 enzyme (11β-HSD1), otherwise known as cortisone reductase, a bi-directional enzyme, which catalyzes the interconversion of cortisone to cortisol in the presence of NADH as a co-factor. If levels of NADH are low, the enzyme catalyses the reverse reaction, from cortisol to cortisone, using NAD+ as a co-factor.
Cortisol is a glucocorticoid that plays a variety of roles in many different biochemical pathways, including, but not limited to: gluconeogenesis, suppressing immune system responses and carbohydrate metabolism.
One of the symptoms of cortisone reductase deficiency is hyperandrogenism, resulting from activation of the Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. The deficiency has been known to exhibit symptoms of other disorders such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in women. Cortisone Reductase Deficiency alone has been reported in fewer than ten cases in total, all but one case were women. Elevated activity of 11β-HSD1 can lead to obesity or Type II Diabetes, because of the role of cortisol in carbohydrate metabolism and gluconeogenesis.
Obesity is defined as an abnormal accumulation of body fat, usually 20% or more over an individual's ideal body weight. This is often described as a body mass index (BMI) over 30. However, BMI does not account for whether the excess weight is fat or muscle, and is not a measure of body composition. For most people, however, BMI is an indication used worldwide to estimate nutritional status. Obesity is usually the result of consuming more calories than the body needs and not expending that energy by doing exercise. There are genetic causes and hormonal disorders that cause people to gain significant amounts of weight but this is rare. People in the obese category are much more likely to suffer from fertility problems than people of normal healthy weight.
The HAIR-AN syndrome is a rare subtype of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) characterized by hyperandrogenism (HA), insulin resistance (IR) and acanthosis nigricans (AN). The symptoms of the HAIR-AN syndrome are largely due to severe insulin resistance, which can be secondary to blocking antibodies against the insulin receptor or genetically absent/reduced insulin receptor number/function. Insulin resistance leads to hyperinsulinemia which, in turn, leads to an excess production of androgen hormones by the ovaries. High levels of androgen hormones (hyperandrogenism) in females causes excessive hair growth, acne and irregular menstruation. Patients with both underlying mechanisms of insulin resistance may have more severe hyperandrogenism. Insulin resistance is also associated with diabetes, heart disease and excessive darkening of the skin
Late onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia (LOCAH), also known as nonclassic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, is a milder form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), a group of autosomal recessive disorders characterized by impaired cortisol synthesis that leads to variable degrees of postnatal androgen excess.
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