If a patient is on testosterone therapy, what changes can one see in LH and FSH levels?

Appeared in: INI-CET EXAM -2026

Explanation

Administration of external (exogenous) testosterone raises the level of testosterone in the blood.
High levels of testosterone exert a negative feedback effect on both the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary gland.
This feedback inhibits the secretion of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus.
The reduction in GnRH, along with direct inhibition of the pituitary, leads to decreased secretion of both Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH).
Therefore, a patient on testosterone therapy will exhibit decreased levels of both LH and FSH.

Option A: This is incorrect. High testosterone levels inhibit LH secretion through negative feedback; they do not increase it.
Option B: This is incorrect. While LH does decrease, FSH is also suppressed by the negative feedback from high testosterone levels.
Option C: This is the opposite of the expected effect. Increased LH and FSH would stimulate more testosterone production, whereas external testosterone suppresses their production.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Use the key finding related to Endocrine negative feedback on the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) axis to guide bedside assessment, documentation, and the next nursing action.
Nurses must educate patients on testosterone therapy about potential side effects like testicular shrinkage and infertility, which are direct results of LH and FSH suppression.
Monitoring LH and FSH levels can help assess patient compliance and the degree of HPG axis suppression.
It is a critical patient safety point to explain that using unprescribed testosterone (anabolic steroids) for muscle building can lead to long-term hormonal imbalances and infertility.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key elements in the question: 'testosterone therapy', 'LH levels', and 'FSH levels'.
Recall the normal function of the male reproductive hormone axis (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal or HPG axis).
Remember that this system is regulated by negative feedback. High levels of a downstream hormone (testosterone) inhibit the upstream hormones (GnRH, LH, FSH).
Apply this principle: 'Testosterone therapy' means adding external testosterone, which leads to high levels in the blood.
Conclude that these high levels will suppress the pituitary's production of both LH and FSH.
Select the option that shows a decrease in both hormones.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Endocrine negative feedback on the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) axis.
Stem keywords: testosterone therapy, LH, FSH levels
Lead-in keywords: what changes

QrAgI9Z-7lKtsJQdhuKHU6

E6 Physiology Guyton 4SAE Part 3 p. 27-29

Practise the full INI-CET EXAM -2026

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.