title: All that is hypogonadal in haemochromatosis is not due to iron deposition.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hereditary haemochromatosis (HH) is an autosomal recessive condition resulting in excessive gastrointestinal absorption of iron, which may be deposited in various organs. Apart from diabetes, hypogonadism is the most common endocrinopathy associated with HH and is usually secondary to excess iron deposition in the anterior pituitary gland.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We present three patients with HH and hypogonadism.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Careful clinical and biochemical analysis revealed that the hypogonadism was due to causes other than iron deposition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This series illustrates the importance of having a high degree of clinical suspicion, even when dealing with what may clinically appear to be a straight-forward clinical problem.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Old Blackrock Road, Cork, Ireland. eoinposullivan@yahoo.ie
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: McDermott
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Howel Walsh
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn; D006432:Hemochromatosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D058085:Iron Compounds / Q000378:metabolism*; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010903:Pituitary Gland, Anterior / Q000473:pathology*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D058085:Iron Compounds