Androgen Replacement Therapy in Women With Hypopituitarism

Inclusion criteria:

• Hypogonadism and/or hypoadrenalism of central origin
• Testosterone or free testosterone level below the median for age-matched normal controls
• Prior estrogen preparation for at least 6 months

Exclusion criteria:

• Any disease known to affect bone metabolism, including untreated hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
• Change in thyroid hormone dose in the last 3 months
• Untreated Cushing's syndrome
• Renal failure
• Alcoholism
• Anorexia nervosa
• Prior use of medication known to affect bone metabolism (e.g., supraphysiologic doses of glucocorticoids, phenytoin, bisphosphonates, or calcitonin) within the past 3 months
• Pregnant or nursing
• Uncontrolled hypertension
• ALT greater than 3 times upper limit of normal
• Serum creatinine greater than 2 times the upper limit of normal
• Any contraindication to estrogen therapy, including history of breast cancer or undiagnosed uterine bleeding
• Concurrent growth hormone replacement therapy, if patient has been receiving it for less than 2 years