Association of carotene rich diet with hypogonadism in a male athlete.
OBJECTIVE
To report on a unique case of hypogonadism associated with excessive carotene intake in a young male athlete.


METHODS
A 20-year-old patient presented with a gradual decline in muscular and physical activity, sexual interest and erectile ability associated with a high in carotene and low in animal fat diet of his own design a year prior to the clinical manifestations. Clinically, he presented with very overt signs of carotene excess: his palms and soles were yellow. Moreover, 2 weeks after normalization of his diet, carotene B levels were at the upper end of the normal range.


METHODS
Repeated stimulation tests of hypothalamic, pituitary and testicular function were performed before and at 3, 6 and 12 months after the introduction of a balanced diet.


RESULTS
Very low basal and stimulated values for gonadotropins and gonadal steroids were found at the initial evaluation with a progressive recovery shown after months of a balanced diet and carotene B restoration. Complete androgen secretion and sexual response recovery were observed only after 9-12 months from diagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report associating excessive carotene intake with a hypothalamic form of hypogonadism in a young man.
Adamopoulos
Dimitrios
D
Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Elena Venizelou Hospital, Athens, Greece. hel-soc-andro@ath.forthnet.gr
Venaki
Evangelia
E
Koukkou
Eftychia
E
Billa
Evangelia
E
Kapolla
Niki
N
Nicopoulou
Stamatina
S
D000328:Adult; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004032:Diet; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D013177:Sports
D006728:Hormones; D002338:Carotenoids