Reversibility of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in a patient with the juvenile form of hemochromatosis.

OBJECTIVE

To report a case of complete reversibility of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with intensive venesection treatment in juvenile hemochromatosis.

DESIGN

Case report.

SETTING

Endocrine department of Hippocrateion Hospital of Athens.

PATIENT(S): A 25-year-old man who presented with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and severe iron overload due to juvenile hemochromatosis and who was initially treated with phlebotomies and androgen substitution.

INTERVENTION(S): Intensification of chelation therapy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical evaluation, serum ferritin concentration, and biochemical assessment of pituitary function were performed periodically.

RESULT(S): One year after normalization of serum ferritin levels and transferrin saturation was achieved, he became eugonadal.

CONCLUSION(S): We believe that hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in juvenile hemochromatosis may be reversible by a consequent venesection therapy probably because treatment was intensive and promptly introduced at a young age.