Primary hypothyroidism as a predictor of the hypogonadism development

Abstract

Background. Human lifestyle significantly affects human health and reproductive functions. The presence of hypothyroidism negatively impacts the health, activity, and reproductive status. This study was aimed to assess hormonal status, metabolic and anthropometric parameters in men of active reproductive age with primary hypothyroidism. Materials and methods. Totally 60 males with primary hypothyroidism were included in the study. Acomparative analysis of hormonal, anthropometric, and metabolic parameters in 60 men with hypothyroidism (basic group) and 25 men without hypothyroidism and other chronic somatic diseases (control group) was performed. The mean age of the subjects was 42.4±2.7 years. Results. It has been established that hypothyroidism was accompanied by an increase in serum concentrations of cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in comparison with control group (25 men without hypothyroidism) indicating metabolic disturbance. The data shows the significant effect of hypothyroidism on testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) serum concentration but not on luteinizing hormone, estradiol levels. Patients with hypothyroidism had lower circulating testosterone and higher FSH level in comparison with the controls. The reproductive hormone changes in men with hypothyroidism can result in deleterious effects on sexual functions including erectile dysfunction, reduced libido, and alteration in spermatogenesis. Conclusions. In men with hypothyroidism, changes in hormonal status have been found, which manifested in a decrease in testosterone and an increase in the blood level of follicle-stimulating hormone. The effect of hypothyroidism on the blood level of other hormones (luteinizing, estradiol, cortisol) has not been established. Hypothyroidism in men is accompanied by changes in lipid metabolism (increased levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol).