The GnRH test in idiopathic hemochromatosis.

In 10 patients, 8 males and 2 females, suffering from idiopathic hemochromatosis (IH), the gonadotropic function has been studied using the GnRH test (iv administration of 100 micrograms) to make precise the pathogenesis of their hypogonadism. The FSH and LH mean basal levels were low and almost unaffected by GnRH (p < 0.001 at each time value when compared to controls). The hypogonadism often observed during the course of IH seems to be hypogonadotropic. Various factors could be responsible for this disturbance. The exact site of the lesion, whether hypothalamic or hypophyseal, remains unknown.