Association of carotene rich diet with hypogonadism in a male athlete

Authors: Adamopoulos, Dimitrios; Venaki, Evangelia; Koukkou, Eftychia; Billa, Evangelia; Kapolla, Niki; Nicopoulou, Stamatina

Source: Asian Journal of Andrology, Volume 8, Number 4, July 2006 , pp. 488-492(5)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

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Abstract:

Aim: To report on a unique case of hypogonadism associated with excessive carotene intake in a young male athlete. Case report: 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. Conclusion: This is the first report associating excessive carotene intake with a hypothalamic form of hypogonadism in a young man.

Keywords: carotinoids; hypogonadism; male

Document Type: Case report

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-7262.2006.00169.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, “Elena Venizelou” Hospital, Athens 11521, Greece

Publication date: 2006-07-01