Endocrine Study on Menstrual Irregularities in Wilson's Disease

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 8(2); 1990 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 1990;8(2): 312-317.

Wilson병의 불규칙 생리에 대한 내분비 기능조사

이영기, 김숙희,하정상,박충성

영남대학교 신경과.

Endocrine Study on Menstrual Irregularities in Wilson's Disease

Yeung Ki Lee, M.D., Suk Hee Kim, M.D., Jung Sang Hah, Md. Choong Suh Park, M.D

Dep. Of Neurology, Yeung Nam University

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 ug/m2), TRH(7 ug/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 ug/ml ( normal ; 60-130 ug/ml) and 2.9 ug / dl (normal ; 0.l5-1.1 ng/dl) in one case, and 20. 5 ug / 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.