J Korean Neurol Assoc.  1990 Dec;8(2):312-317.

Endocrine Study on Menstrual Irregularities in Wilson's Disease

• Lee YK
• Kim SH
• Hah JS
• Park CS

Abstract

We have investigated endocrine functions of 2 patients with Wilson's disease who showed oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, The serum basal levels of hypothalamic, pituitary, thyroid, adrenal cortical and ovarian hormones were determined. Then stimulation tests were performed with GnRH(50 microgram/m2), TRH(7 microgram/Kg) and insulin(0.l U/Kg) in one intravenous bolus, Levels of LH, FSH, prolactin, GH, TSH, total testosterone, l7 beta-estradiol, free T3, T4, DHEA-S and cortisol were measured by standard radioimmunoassays. The endocrine profiles which represent functions of hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid and adrenal cortex was all proved to be normal. Serum estradiol and total testosterone levels were 59.0 microgram/ml ( normal ; 60-130 microgram/ml) and 2.9 ng / dl (normal ; 0.l5-1.1 ng/dl) in one case, and 20.5 microgram / ml and 0.69 ng / dl in the other respectiviely. Low estradial and high total testosterone levels seen in these cases suggested ovarian dysfuncton. Interference of ovarian follicular aromatase activity due to passible copper intoxication could explain these findings as the cause of the menstrual irregularity of patients with Wilson's disease.

MeSH Terms

Adrenal Cortex
Amenorrhea
Aromatase
Copper
Estradiol
Female
Hepatolenticular Degeneration*
Humans
Hydrocortisone
Hypothalamus
Oligomenorrhea
Prolactin
Radioimmunoassay
Testosterone
Thyroid Gland
Aromatase
Copper
Estradiol
Hydrocortisone
Prolactin
Testosterone