[Evaluation of hypogonadism with Major Thalassemia]

ABSTRACT

Although new treatments have prolonged survival and improved quality of life in the patients with major Thalassemia, endocrine complications especially hypogonadotropic hypogonaidsm still occur. The objective of this study is to determine prevalence and risk factors of hypogonaidsm in 47 patients with major Thalassemia. 47 patients with Thalassemia major aged 14 years and older were studied. Those who had any other problems were omitted from this study. Serum level of LH, FSH, Testestrone, Estradiol were measured and correlation with parameters including duration of transfusion, duration and dose of Desferal treatment, Ferretin level and pertinent clinical findings was evaluated and compared in groups of patients with and without hypogonaidsm. Short stature and underweight was seen in 68/1% of patients. Mean hight was 151 +/- 10.2 and mean of weight was 43.5 +/- 8.4. Hypogonadotropic hypogonaidsm was seen in 63/8 %. The prevalence of hypogonaidsm was more in males than females [p= 0.025]. No significant correlation was found between duration of transfusion, duration and dose of Desferal treatment and Ferretin level with hypogonaidsm. Endocrin complications of Major Thalassemia is frequent and factors other than iron overload including zinc deficiency or genetic differences may influence susceptibility to hypogonaidsm