Hypothalamic Dysfunction Associated with Hemochromatosis
Authors: TIMOTHY C. WILLIAMS
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1985)

Brief Reports1 October 1985Hypothalamic Dysfunction Associated with HemochromatosisTIMOTHY C. WILLIAMS, M.D., LAWRENCE A. FROHMAN, M.D.TIMOTHY C. WILLIAMS, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, LAWRENCE A. FROHMAN, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-103-4-550 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptHemochromatosis is a disorder characterized by the deposition of iron in various tissues and organs. Studies have shown altered pituitary target organ dysfunction associated with this disease, the commonest being hypogonadotrophic testicular failure (1-7). Abnormalities of cortisol (2, 6, 7), growth hormone (2, 3, 6, 7), prolactin (2), and thyroid-stimulating hormone secretion (2, 3, 6, 7) have also been reported. It has been implied that iron deposition in the pituitary gland leads to impaired pituitary hormone secretion with subsequent target organ failure (7, 8). There are frequent findings of testicular atrophy with low levels of gonadotrophins unresponsive to single injections...References1. KELLYEDWARDSMEIKLEKUSHNER TCAJ. Hypogonadism in hemochromatosis: reversal with iron depletion. Ann Intern Med. 1984;101:629-32. LinkGoogle Scholar2. MCNEILMCKEELORBERRABIN LLDD. The endocrine manifestations of hemochromatosis. Am J Med Sci. 1983;285:7-13. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. CHARBONNELCHUPINLEGRANDGUILLON BMAJ. Pituitary function in idiopathic hemochromatosis: hormonal study in 36 male patients. Acta Endocrinol. 1981;98:178-83. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. BEZWODABOTHWELLVANWALTKRONHEIMPIMSTONE WTDLSB. An investigation into gonadal dysfunction in patients with idiopathic haemochromatosis. Clin Endocrinol. 1977;6:377-85. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. WALSHWRIGHTWILLIAMSHOLDER CAJG. A study of pituitary function in patients with idiopathic hemochromatosis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1976;43:866-71. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. STOCKSPOWELL AL. Pituitary function in idiopathic haemochromatosis and cirrhosis of the liver. Lancet. 1972;2:298-300. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. STOCKSMARTIN AF. Pituitary function in haemochromatosis. Am J Med. 1968;45:839-45. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. MACDONALDMALLORY RG. Hemochromatosis and hemosiderosis: study of 211 autopsied cases. Arch Intern Med. 1960;105:686-700. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. RUNGECLANTONSMITH VJF. Nuclear magnetic resonance of iron and copper disease states. Am J Roentgen. 1983;141:943-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar10. SNYDERRUDENSTEINGARDNERROTHMAN PRDJ. Repetitive infusion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone distinguishes hypothalamic from pituitary hypogonadism. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1979;48:864-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Cincinnati, Ohio. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byPituitary Function in Systemic DisordersSuccessful treatment of erectile dysfunction and infertility by venesection in a patient with primary haemochromatosisHypothalamic Involvement in Disorders of Pituitary Hormone SecretionInfiltrative Diseases of the Pituitary GlandHypogonadismCentral HypothyroidismHypogonadotropic hypogonadism in idiopathic hemochromatosis: evidence for combined hypothalamic and pituitary involvementInfluence of Phlebotomy Treatment on Abnormal Hypothalamic-Pituitary Function in Genetic HemochromatosisHypopituitarism 1 October 1985Volume 103, Issue 4Page: 550-551KeywordsAtrophyCortisolEndocrinologyGrowth hormoneHemochromatosisMedical servicesPituitary glandProlactinThyroid-stimulating hormone ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 October 1985 PDF downloadLoading ...