Influence of hypothyroidism in men on androgenic function

Abstract

Background. The results of modern researches specify the role of thyroid hormones, metabolic imbalance, psychological stress involved in the maintenance of general and hormonal homoeostasis. At the same time, correlation between thyroid and sexual hormones in men with hypothyroidism remains controversial issue. Research purpose was to study the frequency of clinical and laboratory signs of androgenic deficiency, as well as the influence of insufficient level of thyroid hormones on the androgenic function in men with primary hypothyroidism. Materials and methods. Under a supervision, there were 55 men with primary hypothyroidism aged 36 to 60 years, and also 25 apparently healthy men. Results. Patients with hypothyroidism had a significant decrease in the concentration of sex hormone­binding globulin (SHBG), total testosterone, and also free and bioavailable testosterone compared to healthy men. In patients with hypothyroidism, the serum concentration of free thyroxine positively correlates with SHBG. Negative moderate correlations were detected between SHBG and free and bioavailable testosterone. Conclusions. For the middle­aged men with hypothyroidism, determination of androgen content is recommended to detect the syndrome of androgenic deficiency.

Keywords

• hypothyroidism
• androgen deficiency
• testoste­rone
• sex hormone-binding globulin