Sex hormones and endocrine abnormalities in patients with chronic respiratory hypoxia

Ten male patients with hypoxia associated with chronic obstructive air way disease and seven with hypoxic pulmonary fibrosis were studied. Serum testosterone concentrations were significantly reduced in both patient groups P< 0.05]. There was significant correlation between serum testosterone and PO2 [r= +0.68]. Basal levels of lutenising hormone and follicle stimulating hormones were significantly lower than in the groups of age matched control. Basal serum level of prolactin concentrations were moderately raised in 3 out of 17 patients with normal level in the others. Resting level of thyroid stimulating hormone, thyroxine and triiodothyronine were normal. Most of men suffered from reduced sexual function. which is considered to be due, at least in part, to endocrine disturbance