Endocrine assessment of hypogonadism in patients affected by thalassaemia major.

Gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GRH) was administered to 54 patients (39 prepubertal and 15 pubertal) with beta-thalassaemia major to assess pituitary gonadotrophin secretory reserve. Human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) was also administered to 10 of the prepubertal boys to assess gonadal endocrine function. Many patients, some with and some without pubertal changes and including prepubertal children aged from 7 to 12 years, had evidence of pituitary hypofunction. A normal pituitary response to GRH stimulation, with decreased gonadal hormone response to the HCG test, found in 3 subjects, demonstrated that gonadal endocrine failure may also occur.