Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone in patients with ischemic stroke

Abstract Objective: Although sex hormones impart many effects on the cardiovascular system, few studies have analyzed the relationship between these hormones and ischemic stroke. We aimed to assess the serum levels of follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone (Tn) among patients who had developed ischemic strokes. Methods: This case-controlled study was conducted at the Rizgary teaching hospital, Erbil, Iraq, from December 1, 2018, to October 31, 2019. Fifty patients, who developed completed ischemic stroke were consecutively enrolled (patients group). This group was age-matched and gender-matched with another group of 40 healthy individuals, who had no stroke in the past. Serum levels of FSH, LH, and Tn were performed on days 1-4 of hospital admission. In both genders, these values were compared and analyzed. Results: No statistically significant difference was found among the levels of serum FSH and Tn in both groups and genders (P-value=0.257 and P-value=0.835, respectively). Although there was no statistically significant difference among the levels of serum LH between patients and control groups in males, but there was a statistically significant difference among women (P-value=0.033) in both groups. Conclusion: Serum LH levels among women who had developed ischemic stroke demonstrated a statistically significant difference when compared to non-stroke, age-matched and gender-matched female individuals in the control group. Whether this difference is clinically significant or not, further analytic studies are required to clarify its effect. Key words: Ischemic stroke, FSH, LH, testosterone, sex hormones