Effect of lithium maintenance treatment on hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis in bipolar men.
This was a cross-sectional study assessing short- and long-term effects of lithium (Li) treatment on hormone levels. Levels of testosterone (T), prolactin (PRL), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicule-stimulating hormone (FSH) were compared. Sixty-one lithium-treated, euthymic, stable, bipolar men were compared with 67 hospital controls and 22 healthy volunteers. Prolactin (P < or = 0.01) and luteinizing hormone (P < or = 0.001) were higher in all patients compared with healthy volunteers. Li-treated patients were evaluated at 22 to 24 mo, 2 to 5 y, and after more than 5 y of Li therapy. At 22 to 24 mo of Li treatment, levels of PRL and LH did not differ from the values of healthy volunteers or of patients treated for longer periods. In addition, the value of T was higher (P < or = 0.003) than in the group treated longer. Levels of T after more than 5 y of treatment, however, did not differ from those of the healthy volunteers.
Kusalic
M
M
Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Engelsmann
F
F
D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects*; D008134:Long-Term Care; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D012016:Reference Values; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D018692:Antimanic Agents; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D013739:Testosterone; D011388:Prolactin; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone