O'Sullivan EP, McDermott JH, Howel Walsh C
All that is hypogonadal in haemochromatosis is not due to iron deposition. [Journal Article]
Ir J Med Sci 2007 Mar; 176(1):45-7.
BACKGROUND: Hereditary haemochromatosis (HH) is an autosomal recessive condition resulting in excessive gastrointestinal absorption of iron, which may be deposited in various organs. Apart from diabetes, hypogonadism is the most common endocrinopathy associated with HH and is usually secondary to excess iron deposition in the anterior pituitary gland. AIMS AND
METHODS: We present three patients with HH and hypogonadism.
RESULTS: Careful clinical and biochemical analysis revealed that the hypogonadism was due to causes other than iron deposition.
CONCLUSIONS: This series illustrates the importance of having a high degree of clinical suspicion, even when dealing with what may clinically appear to be a straight-forward clinical problem.
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