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.