Routine Endocrine Screening Test in Impotence

Lee, Hee Yong; Park, Won Hee; Han, Jung Ho

Abstract

Endocrine screening tests were routinely performed for 165 patients whose complaints were erectile impotence and 64 patients with hypogonadism during the period from January 1984 to December 1985 in Andrology Clinic of Department of Urology. Levels of plasma luteinizing hormone(LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone and prolactin were measured by the radioimmunoassay technique. Results were summarized as follows; l. Impotence group: Mean values of plasma LH, FSH and testosterone were l0.42 IU/L (range: O.3 ~76.91 IU/L), l2.92 IU/L (range: 0.73~77.23 IU/L) and 5.71ng/ml (range: O.ll~15.19ng/ml), respectively. Normal testosterone levels with abnormal LH levels were found in 4.3% of the impotent patients, and normal testosterone levels with abnormal FSH levels were noted in 5.6% of the patients. Low testosterone levels, less than 3.Ong/ml, were found in 9.7% of the patients. Mean value of plasma prolactin was 13.83ng/ml (range: l.5~160 ng/ml). Elevated prolactin levels were noted in 2% of the impotent ratients. Of these, pituitary tumor was found in 1 patient. 2. Hypogonadism group: Sizes of testicles were less than 1Oml in all patients. Hypogonadism group was divided into hypergonadotropic hypogonadisms consisting of 4l patients and hypogonadotropic hypogonadisms containing 18 patients. In patients with hypergonadotropic hypogonadisms, mean LH, FSH and testosterone levels were 43.98 IU/L (range: 20.90~117.70 IU/L), 49.35IU/L (range: 20.00~95.35 IU/L) and 1.89ng/ml (range: 0.46~4.08 ng/ml), respectively. In patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadisms, mean LH, FSH and testosterone levels were 2.24IU/L (range: 0.36 ~7.51 IU/L), 3.05 IU/L (range: 0.25 ~l5.04 IU/L) and 0.72 ng/ml (range: 0.ll~2.93 ng/m1). Plasma prolactin values were within normal ranges in all patients. In conclusion, plasma testosterone should be tested first as endocrine screening tests for patients with impotence and hypogonadism. Complete tests including plasma LH, FSH, testosterone and prolactin levels are considered then testosterone levels reveal abnormal. However, complete endocrine screening tests of LH, FSH and testosterone should be done for the hypogonadism patients with small testes of less than 1Oml in size.