title: Inhibin B levels in hypothyroid males.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The primary role of inhibin B is the regulation of gametogenesis via negative feedback on the production of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) by the pituitary.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 14 males with primary hypothyroidism due to various etiologies to determine if they exhibited hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism involving the reproductive segment of the gonadotrophic axis. Levels of inhibin B, FSH, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, free thyroxine, and thyrotropin were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean level of inhibin B in males with primary hypothyroidism was found to be approximately half that of normal males. The FSH level remained within the normal range and no reciprocal increase was observed as occurs in other conditions with reduced inhibin B.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that primary hypothyroidism has a significant effect on inhibin B levels without reciprocal increase in FSH, which is consistent with a hypogonadotrophic hypogonadal state affecting the reproductive segment of the gonadotrophic axis.
authors.affiliation: 1 Royal Prince Alfred Hospital , Camperdown, Australia .
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Donnelly
authors.forename: Kris
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Winch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000097:blood*; D028322:Inhibin-beta Subunits / Q000097:blood*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: C422402:INHBB protein, human; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D013972:Thyrotropin; D028322:Inhibin-beta Subunits; D013974:Thyroxine