GONADAL DYSFUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH THYROID-DISORDERS

This review summarizes the abnormalities of hypothalamic-pituitary-gon adal function which may occur in patients with hyper or hypothyroidism . Changes in the production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, gonadot ropins, gonadal steroids, sex hormone binding globulin, and prolactin may occur, and germ cell development may be impaired. In some patients with thyroid disorders,endocrine function is clinically normal, but l aboratory test results are unusual and lead to unneeded additional tes ting with unnecessary expense. Last, the literature describing the adv erse effects of radioiodine on gonadal function is reviewed.