Gynecomastia is an endocrinal disorder where there is an enlargement in the male breast tissue caused by imbalance in the levels of estrogen and testosterone in the blood. In this condition, estrogen, the one that controls breast growth, surpasses testosterone in amount. To detect the condition based on hormonal levels, several blood tests need to be done. These tests include HCG or human chorionic gonadotropin test, LH or luteinizing hormone test, TSH or thyroid stimulating test, T3/T4 or thyroid hormone level tests, estradiol test, prolactin level test, and testosterone level test.
The HCG or human chorionic gonadotropin test is done to measure the levels of the human chorionic gonadotropin hormone in the blood. Having high levels of this particular hormone indicates that the patient is positive for the condition. For further diagnosis and treatment, testicular ultrasonography for germ cell tumor must be performed.
The LH or luteinizing hormone test could help determine the primary cause of breast tissue growth. High levels of luteinizing hormone in the blood could indicate Klinefelter syndrome, testicular failure, and HCG-secreting tumor. Low luteinizing hormone concentrations, on the other hand, highlights the need to ask the patient whether he is using exogenous steroids due to autonomous androgen or estrogen production. In this case, hypogonadism is present and must be treated accordingly.
The TSH or thyroid stimulating hormone test is done to see if hyperthyroidism is the primary cause of gynecomastia. Low thyroid stimulating hormone levels is a potential sign that hyperthyroidism is being caused by pituitary problems. The underlying disease must be treated in cases of abnormal results in the thyroid stimulating hormone levels.
The T3/T4 or thyroid hormone tests indicate the level of estrogen production in the blood. The thyroid hormones are the ones in control of the enzymes that convert androgens to estrogens. Thus, excess in T3/T4 hormone levels indicates enhanced enzyme activity, resulting to increased conversion of androgens to estrogen.
Estradiol levels are also tested to identify the cause for the abnormal estrogen production. High estradiol levels may indicate obesity, feminizing tumor, or exogenous estrogen production. It is also commonly observed in those with man boobs as well as thyrotoxicosis.
Prolactin levels are also tested to verify that a male patient is positive for the condition. Men with diagnosed with it have high levels of prolactin in their blood. This could indicate the presence of a pituitary tumor, hypothyroidism, disorders affecting the pituitary stalk, renal failure, or antipsychotic drugs.
Testosterone test, along with the other blood tests discussed, may indicate different main causes. Low testosterone and high luteinizing hormone concentrations could be a manifestation of testicular failure or Klinefelter syndrome. Low testosterone, as well as low or normal luteinizing hormone levels, could indicate pituitary or hypothalamic disease. High testosterone along with elevated estradiol concentrations indicate exogenous androgen or androgen resistance, also called testicular feminization syndrome.
Each test has its own scope of diagnosis with respect to the possible primary causes of gynecomastia. Other tests include liver and renal function tests. Breast ultrasound and mammogram could also be done to determine the makeup of the tissue responsible for the enlargement of the breast. In treating man boobs, it is very important to determine the main cause of the disorder. The condition can only be resolved if the primary cause is examined and treated accordingly.
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